Spreading the word about the importance of an annual flu shot means you’re in good company with the Center for Disease Control. The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months-old and up get vaccinated. The 2011-2012 flu strain is identical to last year’s, including the H1N1 virus; that means if you were vaccinated last year, you need only receive 1 shot this go around. Click here to find flu shots near you and be sure to post a comment on our Facebook page when you’ve done your good deed for the day!

American Traveler Encourages Flu Prevention Tactics For R.N.s

Some controversy has surrounded mandating the flu shot for medical personnel. Interested Registered Nurses can read about this on a related healthcare employer blog that discusses flu season in America and the waivers some hospitals are willing to grant: if the reluctant hospital staff agrees to wear a badge alerting patients and colleagues, as well as a mask that covers the nose and mouth. As American Traveler has always believed travel nurses need flu shots, we encourage everyone in R.N. and travel therapy jobs to do the responsible thing by getting vaccinated ASAP this Fall.

We don’t have to remind our registered nurses how to stay healthy during flu season, or how to manage the illness if they do succumb. But for refresher’s sake, we would like to offer a few gentle reminders.

A Travel Nurse’s Dos and don’ts During Flu Season:

• Do use hand soap at your work station, in restrooms and at home.
• Don’t go out if you’re sick. Stay in bed!
• Do take a multivitamin, and try incorporating more garlic and Vitamin C into your daily diet
• Don’t stress! The last thing you want is an increase in your body’s production of cortisol.
• Do drink plenty of water and exercise between glasses. It’ll help flush toxins out of your body!

American Traveler’s Flu Season Tips Keep Your Nursing Career in Good Health

If you’re looking for even more flu fighting facts, visit this government website that offers a flu app for your iPhone and other handy features; one of which will track the rate of flu in your neighborhood. Again, we cannot stress enough how important it is to avoid stress, and would point R.N.s who want to relax, toward our travel nurse jobs in tranquil areas with plenty of forests, parks and fields to roam. Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today to keep your spirits in good health. Here’s to navigating your way through another healthy flu season!

Dennis Grandic, our Allied Health Clinical Resource Manager, attended the NYPTA conference back in October and gave us the updates about Jeanette B., the winner of American Traveler’s iPad drawing. She’s a Physical Therapist with 6 years of experience who’s looking to become a travel therapist. We wish her continued success in her career and hope she enjoys the many benefits of her new iPad and the excitment of her new travel PT job’s career! Picture to the right - Dennis G. and iPad Winner Jeanette B.

Now, for all of  us that attented the NYPTA conference, remember the snow that hit us during the conference? That got us thinking about a warm-weather escape plan — we’ve got some terrific physical therapy positions available in California and Arizona right now. If you’ve visited either state in the winter months, you’re probably a fan already.

Check Out These Top Jobs in Sunny Spots

You can register with American Traveler at any time. There’s no obligation; once you register, you’ll receive periodic updates from us with news, articles, blogs, research, career resources and reports on the job market. Please feel free to send Dennis an email or give him a call if you have any questions.  

Dennis Grandic, PT, MBA
Allied Health Clinical Resource Manager
American Traveler Staffing
1-866-772-5655
dgrandic@americantraveler.com

What will nursing education look like in the future? Beginning this fall, The National Simulation Study (NSS) aims to find out. Researchers and volunteer participants spanning 10 different U.S. schools are familiarizing nursing students with SimMan, METIman, and Noelle with Newborn Hal; not actors but high-fidelity mannequins, with chests that rise and fall. Studies find that many nursing students prefer this to the traditional clinical experience of live patients. Just click on the Meet the Sims link to read more about why they appeal to faculty and students alike.

In Sim settings, nursing students make decisions and see the results without posing risk to a living person, as well as better predict how the patient will respond to care. The NSS study also revealed that Sim patients allow students to fully take on the role of a nurse, and that faculty like the option of role playing a doctor—or even a member of the patient’s family.

If you’re in med/surg nursing jobs you may know why simulation training is catching on like this. Using a med/surg environment as a clinical training site is a challenge, as the number of nursing students the faculty supervise impede the ideal clinical experience; it’s much the same in pediatric units where more nursing students continue to receive Sim training to eliminate risk. With all its advantages, hospital employers predict that simulation training is here to stay.

Video – NCSBN National Simulation Study Overview

American Traveler Reports the Latest Healthcare Trends, Offers Superior R.N. Jobs

Nursing students in the NSS study are evaluated for clinical competency and judgment, better preparing them for the PBDS test most healthcare employers give upon hire. Click here to read more about this important nursing test. Know that we report on trends, gadgets and technologies that are improving hospitals nationwide, like the mobile vans that will travel to schools and hospitals offering simulation training, and centers. It’s the shape of things to come in nursing education. You heard it here first!

A premier staffing agency, we welcome registered nurses with a minimum of 12 months acute care clinical experience, and urge you to learn more by liking us on Facebook. Remember that once you fill out an online application, it’s easy to return and update your skills in our database. Before you know it, a recruiter will be calling with travel nurse job opportunities from coast to coast. It’s a chance to reap the rewards of referral bonuses, as well as free private housing and other amazing benefits. Who needs Sim City when you could be working in the real life city of your dreams? Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today!

Raffle winner Melina with her new iPad2

The winner of American Traveler’s iPad2 raffle at the California Physical Therapy Association Conference.

Melina A. writes, “I was super excited to hear that I had won an iPad2 at the CPTA conference in Long Beach! American Traveler has been great in helping me learn more about traveling physical therapy jobs and the vast opportunities that await my future. I would like to thank them for their professionalism and for being there to answer all of my questions.“

To which we reply, “You’re very welcome!” American Traveler’s goal is to help advance physical therapy careers any way we can. Melina is a PT with three years’ experience, who is looking to broaden her career horizons with a physical therapy travel job.

Visit our featured travel therapy jobs listings anytime to browse our always-updated hot rehab therapy  jobs.

For PTs, National Physical Therapy Month—an event celebrated every October—makes Fall a stand-out season in healthcare, with reminders of how important maintaining our physical strength, mobility and, ultimately, our independence is in a life well lived.  With over 33,000 DPT graduates in 2010 and more graduating from accredited schools each year, physical therapists are well poised to become top earners in a field Time Magazine calls the sixth most recession proof career in the country!

Now in full swing, National Physical Therapy Month is touting its considerable benefits on the APTA site, with statistics and talking points designed for the media, public and the physical therapists who deliver a healthier alternative to surgery and medication; it’s a message that resonates with millions. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is predicting a sharp 27% increase in physical therapy careers between now and 2016.

This Year’s NPTM Theme Inspires Physical Therapists to Get Moving!

A theme of sports injury prevention across the lifespan has inspired PTs across the nation to get moving, promoting physical therapy’s benefits in the lobbies of hospitals, out-patient centers and therapy clinics from coast to coast. Now is as good a time as any to remind both existing and potential patients of the reported 88% who reduced their pain and greatly improved function, thanks to one-on-one with a physical therapist.

Physical therapy patients present with a diverse range in medical histories, from severe to minor injuries, to chronic illnesses like Lupus—that why it’s heartening to see PTs working towards the Vision 2020 goal of obtaining doctorates by the year 2020, as well as achieving certification in one of the 8 physical therapy certifications that aim to solve every patient problem, no matter how unique.

Start a Physical Therapy Career with American Traveler, a Leader in Allied Healthcare!

Apply online or call 1-800-884-8788 today for physical therapy jobs in all 50 U.S. states, and a chance to make up to six figures with the benefits, free private housing, referral and sign-on bonuses available through a leading staffing agency with over 25 years experience.

Take the time this autumn to revel in the crispness of changing leaves and physical therapy careers destined for more greatness in the coming New Year. Spread the word about the importance of physical therapy in your workplace each and every month. We look forward to hearing from you!

Related blogs: Physical Therapy Month 2010 and Five Top Tips for Traveling PTs from a Therapist Who’s Been There

Located just 20 miles south of Los Angeles, nestled along one of the west coast’s most picturesque waterfronts, Long Beach is a pretty sweet place to catch up on the latest news in the physical therapy field.

Conventions like the CPTA are a great resource for practitioners seeking to connect with other PT’s and learn more about the latest developments in the industry. And conferences are also a great opportunity to expand your employment horizons and think about a PT career in a new way. As part of American Traveler’s program to reach out to allied health professionals, Dennis Grandic, PT, Clinical Resource Manager and Account Manager for Allied Health — and Kimberly Mayhue, Account Manager — two of American Traveler’s key contacts for allied health job seekers — attended the recent California Physical Therapy Association convention in Long Beach.

The 2011 CPTA featured noteworthy physical therapy experts like John Meyer PT, DPT, OCS, FAFS and Irene Davis PT, PhD who, respectively, led classes in Intraarticular Hip Pathology and current approaches to treating runners. Dennis reports that Dr. Davis’ class on the “Barefoot Debate” triggered a lively discussion. Changes in Medicare regulations were also a frequent topic of conversation among physical therapists and healthcare employers alike.

In addition to sessions that focused on treatment and practice, there were also presentations on legal issues and payment policies, along with exhibitors demonstrating new orthopedic and administrative technologies.

Many of the attendees who Dennis and Kimberly talked to were curious to know exactly what is a travel therapist and how travel therapy jobs might enhance their careers.

Kimberly put it this way, “PT Travel jobs are a great way to try before you buy.” What if you think you might enjoy working in a particular area of the country, but you’re not 100% sure?  Before you pull up stakes and make what could be a huge commitment, you can try out a new location with a traveling physical therapy job.

And if everything goes well, employers often extend positions beyond the original assignment length. In fact, many make offers of permanent employment. But if you still think there’s something better out there for you … no harm, no foul. At American Traveler, PT’s have an extensive array of travel jobs from which to choose.

Dennis and Kimberly also found many conference participants were interested in American Traveler’s tax advantage plan. Besides offering compensation that is often above and beyond that of full-time staff positions, travel therapy jobs can provide even more take-home pay through the tax advantage plan.

And, no surprise, one of Dennis and Kimberly’s most popular talking points was who would win American Traveler’s iPad 2 raffle,  held at the close of the conference. The lucky winner was Melina A., a physical therapist with three years’ experience who’s looking to travel. We wish her much happy surfing, of the digital kind.

Conferences like the CPTA also attract physical therapy students and recent grads who are looking to get a better understanding of what “real working life” is like. In search of more information about graduate employment, several students at the CPTA wanted to know if American Traveler worked with new grads and with students who are about to graduate. The answer is a resounding, “Yes! American Traveler places new grad hires in permanent and contract positions.” Travel therapy is a particularly attractive option for recent grads who want to try out different locales, different practice concentrations or types of physical therapy facilities, to see which suits them best.

It’s always energizing and educational to connect with the physical therapists we work with, whether they’re seasoned practitioners or professionals who are just starting out. But there’s no need to wait for the next conference; feel free to contact us at  800-884-8788 if you have any questions about your physical therapy career.

Like the idea of living in Long Beach after the conference ends? Or Sacramento? Or Monterey? California physical therapist jobs with American Traveler could be a great way to sample the west coast lifestyle.

Meet Dennis, a native New Yorker, with a Master’s of Science in Physical Therapy and an MBA in Healthcare Administration.

A native New Yorker, Dennis had a ten-year physical therapy career in Manhattan. Dennis shares his tips on why he choose to leave his permanent position and take a travel physical therapy job. Dennis shares, “After working ten years in physical therapy pediatric and cardiac rehab, the fast pace lifestyle of New York was exciting, but I was starting to wonder what else was out there. I was also finishing up with my business degree, and thinking about the next stage in my career. At that point I decided on a travel therapy job. My brother and his family live in South Florida, so taking a physical therapy job that put me close to family — while trying out a new clinical setting — sounded like a great fit.”

Like many travel jobs, Dennis’ three-month assignment was extended to almost a year.  Many travel therapy jobs work out so well for the therapist and for the facility that everybody agrees to keep things going; some even become permanent. After ten years as a practicing physical therapist,  Dennis was appointed director of an outpatient rehab facility where he was able to put his business education to work. In addition, he can draw on his many years as a physical therapist when he needs to understand the viewpoint of a practitioner.

Dennis’ top five tips for travelers

1. Consider working in a location or type of facility that isn’t necessarily “on your list.” Your consultant may have some out-of-the-box ideas for you, but won’t recommend a location that you can’t handle. Do some of your own research, too, and use your phone interview to find out everything you can about the job.
2. Get your paperwork in order as soon as possible. It can take several months to secure a physical therapy license and verification in a new state, so you’ll need to build that into your time frame.
3. Lots of rehab therapists pack familiar items to make their travel assignment housing feel like home. Some like to bring family photos; Dennis brings along some home-town sports memorabilia (Mets and Jets!) to keep him grounded.
4. Take your own goniometer, tape measure and any other instruments of which you’ve become fond — not that the facility won’t be fully equipped wherever you’re going, but sometimes you get attached …
5. Traveling is a great opportunity to enjoy your favorite activities in a whole new way, besides being a tried-and-true way to meet new people. Dennis is an avid cyclist and tennis player. “It wasn’t so easy to play tennis in New York in December, but South Florida is loaded with courts. I could play just about every day of the year if I wanted to!”

Dennis’ advice for a physical therapist who wants to make the most out of a travel therapy job? “Be open to everything. Be open to new locations, new people, even new and different methods of therapy or documentation. It’s all going to make for a better experience. Travel jobs are a good way to build up and diversify your resume, while still giving you the freedom to try new practice settings that may catch your interest down the road.”

As he’s moved through different specialties in physical therapy, from perm jobs, travel therapy jobs, and even a corporate position, Dennis has shown real flexibility in his career. That’s something that all healthcare professionals can keep in mind.

In June almost 1,000 physical therapists met on Capitol Hill to lobby in favor of legislation that advances the profession. They were lobbying in support of the  Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2011, which would make physical therapists eligible for repayment of their student loans under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)  Loan Repayment Program. The bill forgives up to $30,000 in student loans per year, for a maximum of 2 years, in exchange for service in a disadvantaged area.

The Loan Repayment Act provides incentive for physical therapists to practice in certain rural and urban communities, chiefly by easing the educational debts of physical therapists. The hope is that some of these therapists may continue to practice in these locations, once their NHSC service is complete.

How to Speak Out

You can track the status of this bill here. If you would like to weigh in on this legislation (H.R. 1426/S. 975), you can email your Congressional representatives directly or through the APTA’s Legislative Action Center .

Travel Therapy Jobs – Managing Educational Expenses

Some physical therapy grads have looked to traveling therapy jobs to address their educational costs. Travel assignments offer superior compensation and benefits –  plus bonuses go even further to improve the financial picture. Travel therapy jobs are also a great way to try out different practice settings — PT’s can choose short and long-term rehab therapy assignments in big cities or small towns, in independent clinics or large hospitals. Contact a consultant today, and start exploring your options.

Travel nurses and travel therapists have the best of both worlds; a great career that allows them to help others while earning top pay and a chance to travel and work at different locations throughout the United States. As a travel nurse or travel therapist, you get a lot of perks and benefits with each assignment, such as free private furnished housing, tax advantage plan, matched 401 (k) plan, free group health, dental and life insurance, and bonuses!

Now, in addition to the regular referral bonus American Traveler offers our nurses and therapists, we are also offering a limited time referral bonus of $1,000.

We are looking for:

• RNs in the following specialties: OR, L&D, PICU or NICU
• Allied: Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists

One of the nation’s largest online job boards announced last month that 29 percent of employers responding to a recent employment survey said they hired temporary workers in the first quarter of 2011. Twenty six percent planned to do so in the second quarter, according to a March 31, press release.

Though the survey doesn’t specifically address healthcare staffing, survey results come from a broad spectrum of more than 2,800 hiring managers and 5,600 workers.

“A good indication that travel nursing jobs and travel therapy jobs are picking up,” said Mary Kay Hull, from American Traveler, a leading supplier of travel nurses and therapists to hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient rehab, ambulatory surgery and home health providers.

Trending was most positive for companies with 500 or more employees and least promising for companies with 50 employees or less. Hiring was hottest in the West and coolest in the South.

Nurse job pay, as indicated by survey findings, is expected to change little in 2011. Fewer than half of employers planned to issue pay raises. Of those, only 15 percent anticipated increases beyond cost of living.

“Here’s where travel nursing jobs rise to the top for nurse job seekers and travel therapists looking to maximize salaries,” said Hull.

As hospitals and healthcare employers regroup in the face of economic recovery, highly skilled temporary RNs and therapists are being utilized to maximize patient care efficiencies – fueling demand for travelers. Salaries for travel nurses and therapists can be 20 percent higher and benefits such as free private housing, free health insurance and a company matched 401(k) result in significant lifestyle advantages, in turn attracting higher quality caregivers to employers’ doorsteps.

With healthcare reform promising to flood the healthcare system with more than 40 million newly insured patients over the next four years, thousands of nursing and therapist jobs will be created. Hospitals and healthcare employers will source a mix of permanent and temporary RNs and therapists and staffing agencies will be on the lookout for highly skilled caregivers with competitive credentials.

How do your qualifications and experience stack up?

Take a moment to browse available therapist jobs in parts of the U.S. you may want to explore. Then call 800.884.8788 with any questions or click on Travel Nursing Job & Travel Therapy Job Questions to learn more.

American Traveler is proud to staff rewarding nursing jobs and therapy jobs in hospitals, outpatient care centers and clinics in all 50 U.S. States—don’t miss your chance to be more than just a spectator in this upward trend for healthcare jobs across the board. Call 1-800-884-8788 or apply online today for the perfect springboard to launch your nursing career!