As a medical SLP, did you know that you could travel and also work? You can travel the country and work as a traveling SLP. Traveling SLPs generally work 13 weeks at a time at a location that has a need for immediate temporary staffing. In 2017 I wrote a piece for Dysphagia Cafe on some things to know if you aspire to be a traveling SLP. This piece has consistently brought a lot of questions from SLPs about how to be a traveling therapist and how the whole process works.
There is so much information to share about how to be a successful traveling therapist. Jumping into travel therapy without preparation and knowledge can be costly. You could easily lose thousands of dollars on contracts and housing if you are not fully knowledgeable about how to negotiate and maximize your pay.
After nearly 10 years in the travel therapy industry, I am happy to launch an ecourse with over six hours of video modules that teach you how to succeed as a traveler. This course, The Guide To Travel Therapy, covers every aspect of being a travel therapist, from the preparation phase to travel therapy in the long-term. It can save you time and most importantly MONEY, if you are thinking about starting a career in travel.
Getting Started
The Guide To Travel Therapy begins with two lessons that discuss how to get started as a traveling therapist. In these lessons, you learn how to prepare and plan in advance to be a traveling therapist. Once you begin to travel and take jobs, time moves very quickly. By preparing in advance, you can save yourself time and stress later. If you are thinking about traveling in the next month or year, this is a section that you can take and start applying the information to your current situation.
Highlights of the Getting Started section include:
- What is a tax home and how do you qualify for one?
- How to prepare a stellar resume to help you stand out for jobs.
- How to electronically store important data that you need on assignments.
- Whether or not you should buy private insurance or rely on agency health insurance.
Working With Agencies To Find a Job
As speech therapists, we learn a lot about owning our own private practices, or working directly for hospitals or rehabs, but subcontracting through an agency to find a job is a whole new world. In these modules, you learn how to find a recruiter and agency that works for you, and how to secure a job. You learn about pay rates, and most importantly, strategies to MAXIMIZE pay!
Key takeaways of this include:
- Understanding what a bill rate is.
- Learning strategies to maximize pay in the short-term and long-term.
- How to work with multiple agencies to widen job opportunities and pay rates.
- What items to have in your contract.
Moving, Housing, and Working
Last but not least, this section takes you through the process of getting from your home to your assignment. It talks about what to pack, how to transport yourself to your assignment, how to find housing, and how to make your work and personal life successful.
Key takeaways of this section include:
- The pros and cons of agency-provided housing versus taking a housing stipend.
- What to pack for your assignment.
- Ways to locate housing on your own.
- Tips to save money on housing.
In short, being a traveling SLP is an amazing opportunity and something that you should consider if you have a wanderlust spirit. However, traveling is definitely not easy and there is a lot to learn. The Guide To Travel Therapy is a one-stop place to learn everything you need to know about being a traveling therapist.
Get started now on your next adventure!
