MINDFULLY SELECTING YOUR FIRST TRAVEL THERAPY JOB

Written By Taylor Haude

So you’re a student… or maybe you’ve been working in a permanent role… and you might be asking yourself:

How do I find my first travel therapy job?

This article will walk you through how to choose your first travel therapy contract in a way that aligns with your personal, professional, and financial goals. If you are aligned, life feels easy. If you are only focusing on the financial aspect, you may find yourself continuously feeling lost and unfilled with your work.

Before accepting your first travel assignment, there are three important questions you should ask yourself and seriously evaluate:

  1. What are my personal goals?

  2. What are my professional goals?

  3. What are my financial goals?

Taking the time to clearly define these goals can make a huge difference in choosing the right first and subsequent assignments. Your answers will help guide decisions like location, setting, pay packages, contract length, and overall lifestyle during your travel experience. Taking time to consider these factors will ensure you are living a life that is aligned with your goals and purpose. Let's break down each one. 

Question 1: Determining your personal goals:

When thinking about your personal goals, it’s important to consider the following questions: 

  • Do I want to be close to family or far away exploring somewhere new?

  • Am I hoping to travel with a partner, friend, or pet?

  • Do I want access to outdoor activities, a city lifestyle, or a slower-paced area?

  • Am I comfortable relocating somewhere completely unfamiliar?

It’s also helpful to reflect on the environment you’ll enjoy most outside of work. Some travelers prioritize access to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, or the beach, while others may prefer the amenities of a city. Others may be looking for a slower-paced area where they can focus on work-life balance. Finally, consider your comfort level with relocating somewhere unfamiliar. Being open to new places can expand your opportunities, but it’s important to choose a location where you’ll still feel comfortable and supported.

Question 2: Determining your professional goals:

Your first contract can have a big impact on your growth as a clinician and overall impression of travel therapy, so it's important to consider the following when determining what your 

  • What clinical setting do I want to work in? (schools, outpatient, SNF, acute care, etc.)

  • Do I want an assignment where I will build confidence in my current skills, or learn something completely new? (opportunities related to this question will be heavily dependent on whether you are a new grad or seasoned clinician) 

  • What level of mentorship or support will I need as a traveler?

  • Am I comfortable being independent quickly, or do I prefer a setting with more onboarding?

For many new travelers, choosing a setting they already feel comfortable in can help make the transition to travel therapy much smoother.

Question 3: Determining your financial goals:

One of the biggest reasons clinicians pursue travel therapy is the financial opportunity, but it’s important to define what that actually means for you.

Consider questions like:

  • Am I trying to pay off student loans or debt?

  • Am I hoping to work fewer months of the year and travel more?

  • How important is take-home pay versus location or setting?

Some assignments may offer higher pay but be in less desirable locations, while others may offer lower pay but an amazing lifestyle opportunity. Understanding your financial priorities will help you decide when it makes sense to chase pay and when it makes sense to chase experience or location.

Our personal experience: 

For my husband and I, when we picked our first assignments as new grads in 2022, our top priorities were:

  • Mentorship / new grad friendly job

  • Outpatient facility

  • 6-7 hours away from home

  • Within 2-3 hours from hiking & the ocean

Thankfully, we were able to find the right fit for us in an outpatient, sports-specific private practice facility. The clinic itself was beautiful, with 20–25 high-low tables, and nearly half of the facility was dedicated to a gym with a batting cage (which was more than enough for Andrew to say yes).

We spent our first three days shadowing perm staff, followed by a two-week ramp-up period. Personally, we felt that was more than enough time and were ready to hit the ground running once we transitioned to our full caseloads.

The owner of the private practice was Maitland-certified and even came in on the weekend to review the core concepts of the Maitland principles with us. We were able to implement those techniques early in our careers and have continued to use them in our practice!

Taylor Haude