A beginners guide to help you land your first travel PT, OT, or SLP job
Your first travel contract can come with a lot of questions: How do you find a job? When should you start applying? What should you ask during an interview? And how do you know if a contract is actually a good fit for you? The good news is that you don't have to figure it all out on your own. Whether you're looking to explore somewhere new, gain experience in a different setting, or simply want more flexibility in where you work, travel therapy can give you the opportunity to work full time while changing your short-term home every few months. Here’s a step-by-step look at how to get started as a travel PT, OT, or SLP.
1. Find Recruiters You Like and Trust
It's common for travelers to work with more than one agency, which means balancing your communication between 2 or 3 recruiters. A good recruiter can make the travel process much easier, especially when you're navigating your first contract. Your recruiter should understand what you're looking for, communicate clearly, follow through, and help you understand your options, not simply send you every job that's available. One of the best ways to find a recruiter you click with? Ask other travelers about their experiences. Facebook groups like this Travel Therapy Group can be helpful for finding honest recommendations and getting answers from people who have already been through the process. You can also check out groups like New Grad Travel Therapy or Travel Therapy Mentors Community Group to connect with other therapists.
Instagram is another place to find travel PTs, OTs, and SLPs sharing what life on the road actually looks like. Here are a few travel therapists and creators you can check out:
- Claudia, a travel Occupational Therapist
- Chelsea A.K.A. Transcend Travel Therapy, a travel Occupational Therapist
- Rahul, a travel Physical Therapist
- Whitney & Jared A.K.A. Travel Therapy Mentor, a travel Physical Therapy couple
- Julia, a travel Speech Language Pathologist
You don't have to find one perfect recruiter before you start. The goal is to find someone you feel comfortable asking questions and communicating with throughout the process.
2. Set Up Your Profiles with Travel Companies (Yes, More Than One!)
Travel therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all job, and neither are the companies that staff travel positions. Setting up profiles with 2–3 travel therapy agencies can give you a better sense of what's available and help you compare opportunities without putting all your options in one place. Your profile typically includes information like your resume, license details, references, preferred locations, settings and start dates. Having those details ready can make a difference when a position you're interested in becomes available. And setting up a profile is free and doesn't commit you to taking a job. Think of it as getting your paperwork in order before you start your search. Once you know what you want, you'll be in a much better position to move quickly when the right opportunity comes along.
3. Your Profile’s Complete—Now It’s Go Time
4. Interview Time: Stay Open, Stay Confident
Once you're submitted and the facility wants to talk, you'll typically interview with someone from the facility. This is your chance to learn just as much about the position as they're learning about you. Ask about the things that will shape your day-to-day experience: your schedule, patient caseload, typical productivity expectations, team structure, documentation system and what the facility needs from its next therapist. If you're moving somewhere new, you can also ask questions about the area and anything that will affect your experience outside of work. Don't be afraid to ask questions that help you decide whether the position feels like a good fit. You're interviewing the facility, too. A few minutes of conversation can tell you a lot about whether the job matches what you were hoping for.
5. Be Prepared to Move Quickly After the Interview
Be sure to update your recruiter soon after the interview. Did you like the team? Did the position match what you expected? Could you picture yourself living and working there for the length of the contract? If you'd like to accept the position, let your recruiter know. Travel positions can move quickly, and facilities may be interviewing multiple candidates. Being prepared with your priorities, and knowing what you're willing to say yes to, can make the process much easier. If you don't want the job, that's useful information, too. Tell your recruiter what didn't work for you so they can use that feedback when looking for the next opportunity.
6. Review The Offer Details and Say Yes to the Assignment
If you're offered the contract, your recruiter will walk you through the details of the offer, including your pay package, schedule, contract dates, location and any applicable housing or travel benefits. This is where it's important to look at the whole package, not just the pay number. Ask questions about anything you're unsure about, including your guaranteed hours, overtime, housing stipend or housing options, reimbursements, benefits and what happens if the facility's needs change. Once you understand the offer and feel good about the details, you're ready to accept and start preparing for your move.
Starting your first travel PT, OT or SLP contract can feel like a lot of new steps, but you don't have to know everything before you begin. That's part of what your recruiter is there for. The more contracts you take, the more you'll learn about what matters to you—from the settings you enjoy to the places you want to live. And that's one of the fun parts of travel therapy: you're not choosing where you'll work for the rest of your career. You're choosing your next opportunity, one contract at a time.
