Working as a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant, you already know the impact you have on the lives your job brings you into contact with on a daily basis. Seeing lives transformed back to a point of health, function, and strength rewards you in a way words often elude. Moreover, as rewarding as this work is it's still a professional career path. A path requiring a lifelong education of continual exposure to trusted techniques, methods, and the latest practices. If you are looking to grow in your career, then a medical staffing office is a solid starting point for consideration.
A government report stated that in 2005 "temporary or contract job positions accounted for 20% of the current job market." Today, with a tumultuous job-climate and technology making it easier to access job postings experts believe these types of positions will account for nearly 40% of the available jobs by 2011. And though stats like this can be a little daunting, it really does open-up the career potential for a focused physical therapist or physical therapists assistant thinking about their own future.
Here are some myths and facts regarding medical staffing agencies for consideration:
MYTH: Medical staffing firms only offer temporary jobs.
• Fact: Although there are plenty of short-term job opportunities in today physical therapy and therapy assistant careers, many staffing firms offer permanent hire positions as well. Communicating with your medical staffing recruiter what you are looking for from a job is essential to your own planning.
MYTH: A medical staffing office wont cover my travel expenses or costs of living
• Fact: Today nearly all staffing firms cover the therapist's travel expenses. Staffing firms cover these items in the agreement with the medical provider and come at no expense to the therapist whatsoever. Paying for your travel expenses is an industry standard today. Additionally, per Diem to cover the costs of daily living while on location is equally a common practice. If you find a firm that will not pay your travel expenses or cost of living expenses - find another agency!
MYTH: Medical staffing offices lack industry knowledge of my career field
• Fact: With all the health care and provider requirement changes going on today, medical staffing offices might just be the most up-to-date source you can access daily. A great staffing firm is in constant contact with their providers to ensure they provide them with the best-trained and prepared employee base possible. Due to the high demand and fluctuating job market, the criteria that providers are looking for is often very specific and continually changing. Medical staffing offices are prime source of industry demands and requirements.
MYTH: Medical staffing offices will limit my career portfolio
• Fact: Collaborating with a medical staffing firm might just be the best career move you can make. Not only can it provide you with consistent work, but also the continual exposure to new teams, providers, and the latest industry developments can only enhance your resume.
MYTH: Medical staffing offices will not provide me with health insurance
• Fact: Many staffing firms do offer their employees health insurance as part of an employees benefits package. However, this is contingent on how the therapist-to-staffing firm relationship is defined. If you are listed as a "contractor" (IRS Form 1099), then you will most likely be required to secure your own form of health insurance. If you are listed as an employee (W-2) of the staffing firm, then you can be offered the opportunity to be apart of the company's health insurance plan. This is something that requires research and asking questions of the agency. There are staffing firms out there that do provide health insurance; you just have to do your homework to find them.
As you look to your own professional development in physical therapy, understanding what you expect and need from your career is critical. Medical staffing offices can play a key role in seeing meet your expectations and reap real career rewards that continue to advance you in the physical therapy and therapy assistant field.
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