Once you’ve secured your first position as a travel physical therapist, the world becomes your oyster. New and exciting cities are only an assignment away, as are all of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and memories in the making that come with each one. Below, we’ve highlighted some key tips to help you thrive during your journey as a travel PT:
- Adapt quickly to new settings – It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway): Travel therapy comes with a lot of—you guessed it—traveling. You can hit the ground running by familiarizing yourself with the facility’s layout and policies on your first day. The quicker you’re comfortable with the flow of things, the more capable and confident you’ll feel when working with other healthcare providers and patients.
- Develop your interpersonal skills – You’ll be working with a new set of colleagues every few months, so being able to build rapport easily is essential. Additionally, since you’ll encounter new patients more frequently than you would in a permanent role, demonstrating empathy and patience can help build trust at a quicker pace. This dependability may encourage patients to engage more actively in their treatment, which can improve their outcomes.
- Embrace your new lifestyle – You have a rare opportunity to do what you love while also exploring new parts of the world. You can make the most of it by researching each new assignment location before arriving. This allows you to explore the best housing options for your needs, discover some of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets, and write a list of can’t-miss activities that are unique to that area.
