Explore Travel OT Jobs: Your Guide to Occupational Therapy on the Road

Many Occupational Therapists (OTs) find themselves drawn to the idea of Travel Ot Jobs at some point in their careers. The allure is understandable – the opportunity to gain diverse experience across various healthcare settings, coupled with attractive compensation packages that can accelerate debt repayment and boost savings.

However, like any career path, travel Occupational Therapy comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It’s crucial to weigh these factors carefully to determine if this adventurous career move aligns with your professional and personal goals.

This guide delves into the world of travel OT jobs, highlighting key aspects to consider. We’ll explore the current landscape of opportunities, and provide insights to help you decide if traveling is the right next step in your occupational therapy journey.

Discovering Top Travel OT Job Opportunities

Navigating the travel OT job market effectively requires access to reliable data. Fortunately, resources like Nomadicare, founded by fellow OT Laura Latimer, are designed to provide OTs with the essential information they need. Nomadicare gathers and presents data to help therapists understand the current job market and make informed decisions.

Below is a snapshot of valuable insights derived from Nomadicare’s data. To fully explore the benefits and detailed information available, consider signing up on their site. It’s worth noting that the author is a friend and affiliate of Nomadicare, recommending it as a valuable resource for travel OTs.

Find Top Paying Travel OT Jobs on Nomadicare Now!

States with Abundant Travel OT Jobs:

Healthcare Settings with High Demand for Travel OTs:

States Offering Competitive Weekly Pay for Travel OTs:

Settings with Top Average Weekly Pay for Travel OTs:

Real-World Insights: Emily Butler’s Travel OT Journey

While data provides a valuable overview, hearing directly from someone with firsthand experience can be incredibly insightful. The following is an interview with Emily Butler, OTD, who shares her experiences and perspectives on travel OT jobs.

Starting Travel OT Right After Graduation

Emily’s decision to pursue travel OT directly after graduating from OT school was driven by a sense of freedom and financial motivation. Unattached to a specific location and eager to explore options, she found the prospect of traveling with a friend appealing and less intimidating than venturing out alone. The short-term contract nature of travel assignments (typically 13 weeks) offered a safety net, allowing her to easily transition to a permanent position if travel work wasn’t the right fit.

A significant draw for Emily was the enhanced earning potential. Travel OTs often receive tax-free stipends for housing and living expenses, leading to a higher take-home pay compared to traditional OT roles. This financial advantage was particularly attractive as it provided a pathway to aggressively pay down student loan debt accumulated during her doctoral program.

Weighing these factors, Emily concluded that travel OT was a compelling option to explore. She and her friend decided to embark on this adventure together.

Emily Butler discussing travel OT benefits and agency selection.

Alt Text: Emily Butler, an occupational therapist with a doctorate in occupational therapy, is interviewed about her experience with travel OT jobs. She is smiling and sitting in a brightly lit room.

Choosing a Travel OT Agency and Negotiating Contracts

Selecting the right travel agency was a crucial step for Emily. She and her friend conducted thorough research, leveraging insights from other travel OTs and agency websites. They meticulously compared approximately 20 agencies, creating a comprehensive chart to evaluate benefits packages, licensure assistance, continuing education reimbursements, health insurance, and support for traveling pairs.

Initially, they leaned towards an agency that had cultivated a relationship with Emily’s friend since their first year of OT school. However, a pivotal moment occurred when the agency provided inaccurate advice regarding state licensure. They were incorrectly advised to pursue California and Washington licenses first, without being informed about the lengthy processing times in those states (upwards of three months due to background checks and fingerprinting). As new graduates eager to start working and earning, this delay was unacceptable.

Fortuitously, another agency contacted them and impressed them with their prompt responses and accurate information. This recruiter assured them of securing placements in a different state with a significantly faster licensure process (around one week). They seized this opportunity and remained with this agency for two years. Emily emphasizes the paramount importance of the recruiter-therapist relationship, highlighting that a supportive, proactive, and detail-oriented recruiter is invaluable. The fast-paced nature of travel OT job postings necessitates a recruiter who can act swiftly to secure desired positions.

Emily’s contract negotiation philosophy was proactive: “don’t ask, don’t get.” She successfully negotiated for benefits such as mileage reimbursement for traveling between facilities and a 30-day notice period in case of contract termination due to a permanent hire. She advises travel OTs to be assertive in negotiations, reminding them that everything is negotiable and to avoid settling for contracts they are not comfortable with.

Overcoming Fear of Limited Support in Travel OT Settings

A common concern among therapists considering travel OT is the fear of being inadequately supported in new and unfamiliar work environments. Emily acknowledged having similar anxieties before her first travel assignment. However, her initial experience was overwhelmingly positive. She was warmly welcomed and felt immediately integrated into the team. The facility had been relying on temporary staff and was genuinely appreciative of having a dedicated therapist. The supportive environment and the presence of her traveling friend eased her transition.

While not every placement mirrored this initial experience, Emily’s subsequent assignments in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) reinforced her adaptability. She discovered a passion for geriatrics and realized that core patient needs and basic therapy equipment remained consistent across different settings. She learned to quickly orient herself in new facilities, focusing on essential information and resources.

To enhance her preparedness, Emily developed a portable resource collection, including patient handouts and assessments, readily available on her clipboard. This proactive approach minimized reliance on potentially disorganized therapy gyms in new facilities, particularly during the initial weeks. She also found that familiarity with common electronic documentation systems (Casamba and Rehab Optima) across various sites streamlined her onboarding process. In one instance, her expertise in electronic documentation even enabled her to assist a facility transitioning from paper-based records.

Emily underscores the critical role of a supportive travel company and recruiter in mitigating potential challenges. Building a strong, trusting relationship with an agency, as she did, provides a crucial safety net for addressing any issues that may arise during travel assignments.

Social Life as a Travel OT

The impact of travel OT on social life was a significant consideration. Traveling with a friend for the first year provided built-in companionship and made the social aspect more enjoyable. However, it also narrowed job options, requiring finding placements that needed two OTs simultaneously.

After her friend settled down, Emily continued traveling independently, strategically choosing assignments in larger cities like Portland and Seattle. This allowed her to explore new places and connect with local communities. Her approach was to embrace new experiences and say “yes” to social invitations, leading to unexpected adventures and personal growth. Travel pushed her outside her comfort zone and fostered new social connections.

Professional Growth Through Travel OT

Travel OT significantly contributed to Emily’s professional development, fostering adaptability and resourcefulness. She gained experience working with diverse therapy directors and COTAs with varying levels of experience, broadening her clinical perspectives. Exposure to different therapeutic approaches across the country allowed her to integrate both traditional and innovative methods into her practice.

The frequent job interview process inherent in travel OT assignments honed her interviewing skills and reduced her anxiety in such situations. This experience also clarified her priorities when evaluating permanent job opportunities and negotiating contracts.

Furthermore, adapting to varying resource availability in different facilities transformed her into a more creative and resourceful therapist. From minimal therapy spaces to fully equipped gyms, she learned to maximize available resources and think innovatively to deliver effective therapy, regardless of the setting.

Navigating the Challenges of Travel OT

The most significant challenge Emily faced as a travel OT was the inherent unpredictability in planning her personal life. Knowing her next destination often just weeks in advance made long-term planning difficult. The possibility of contract cancellations further complicated travel arrangements and housing logistics. Finding suitable housing in different locations, influenced by tourist seasons and regional variations, also presented logistical hurdles. Flexibility and adaptability were essential to navigate these uncertainties.

The Rewards of Travel OT: Feeling Appreciated

Unexpectedly, the most rewarding aspect of travel OT for Emily was the profound sense of appreciation she experienced. At each assignment’s conclusion, she was deeply touched by the gratitude expressed by staff and patients. Farewell gestures, including cards, baked goods, and heartfelt goodbyes, made her feel valued and recognized for her contributions.

This level of appreciation, often less prominent in permanent positions, highlighted the immediate impact and value travel OTs bring to facilities in need. While goodbyes were frequent, Emily cherished the lasting friendships and connections forged during her travels. The memories of both first and last days at each facility, particularly the expressions of gratitude, remained vivid and meaningful.

Advice for Aspiring Travel OTs

For OTs considering travel work, Emily recommends initiating conversations with current travel therapists to gather firsthand insights about agencies. While acknowledging potential referral biases, she emphasizes the value of direct perspectives. She also advises thorough online research and contacting multiple agencies to compare offerings and recruiter responsiveness.

Addressing Reader Questions About Travel OT Jobs

Salary Differences: Master’s vs. Doctorate in Travel OT

Emily’s experience suggests that travel OT salaries are primarily determined by geographic region and years of experience in a specific setting, rather than the degree level (Master’s vs. Doctorate). She did not directly compare salary differences based on degree.

Understanding Travel OT Pay Structures: Stipends and Deductions

Housing stipends in travel OT are not deducted from the base salary. Instead, they are designed to cover housing expenses in the assignment location and are often tax-free for “displaced workers.” Negotiated benefits, such as mileage reimbursement, are also typically added to the compensation package, not deducted.

The housing stipend amount is calculated based on the cost of living in the assigned region, varying accordingly. Travel OTs can choose agency-arranged housing (often extended-stay hotels) or find their own housing. Finding independent housing can potentially lead to cost savings if less expensive options are available. The tax-free nature of housing stipends is a significant financial advantage.

Starting Your Travel OT Journey: Agency Selection and Contract Flexibility

To begin exploring travel OT agencies, Emily recommends creating a list of questions to ask recruiters. Her list, included below, covers crucial aspects like medical coverage, insurance, stipends, travel allowances, continuing education, paid time off, and bonuses.

When contacting agencies, remember that recruiters are aiming to attract therapists to their company. Therefore, it’s wise to approach information with a balanced perspective and compare offerings from multiple agencies.

Travel OT contracts are typically for 13-week assignments and do not require long-term commitments. Therapists can complete a single assignment to test travel work and transition to a permanent position afterward. Travel OT offers flexibility, allowing therapists to change agencies or pursue permanent roles at any time.

Emily’s Agency Question List:

Medical coverage: Is it free for each assignment? How does coverage work between assignments, especially with breaks?
Life insurance: Is life insurance offered?
Meals and incidentals stipend: Are these covered?
Travel expense allowance: Is car rental possible for distant assignments?
CEU annual allowance: How much is provided for continuing education?
PTO opportunities: Is paid time off available?
Completion and renewal bonuses: Can you provide details about these bonuses?
Traveling pairs: Is it possible to secure placements for therapists traveling together in nearby locations?

Travel OT Licensing: Temporary vs. Standard Licenses

Travel OTs generally do not qualify for temporary state licenses. They typically obtain standard, full licenses in each state where they work. Upon leaving a state, therapists can maintain their license as active (requiring renewal fees) if they plan to return or inactive (lower cost) if future work in that state is uncertain. Licenses can also be allowed to expire if there are no plans to return.

Each state has unique licensing regulations, often requiring verification from all other states where a therapist holds a license when applying for a new one. Temporary licenses are usually intended for new graduates under supervision, not for traveling therapists.

Efforts are underway in some states to enable physical therapists to practice across state lines without multiple licenses, similar to driver’s license reciprocity. Ideally, occupational therapy will follow suit, potentially leading to nationwide license portability. Advocating for such changes with state representatives is encouraged.

Conclusion: Embrace the Growth Potential of Travel OT

Travel OT presents a wealth of opportunities for professional and personal growth. It allows OTs to experience diverse settings, patient populations, and geographic locations across the country. This exposure fosters adaptability and broadens perspectives beyond conventional career paths.

In conclusion, travel OT is a powerful avenue for growth, not only as a clinician but also as an individual.

Ready to Explore Travel OT Opportunities?

Emily’s travel journey predates the emergence of Nomadicare, a valuable resource founded by travel therapist Laura Latimer, OTR/L. Nomadicare meticulously vets travel OT recruiters based on extensive industry knowledge and experience.

Exploring Nomadicare’s services is highly recommended for anyone considering travel OT jobs. The service is free for therapists, with travel companies covering the costs of matching therapists with recruiters. Nomadicare is a trusted advocate for OTs, making it an excellent starting point for your travel career exploration.