Centra Healthcare

Why Join A Professional Association?

There is no question that although healthcare is a booming industry, these are still cautious and even tough times for many people in this country. Most of us these days weigh our expenses carefully and are more frugal when it comes to "extras". Joining a professional association can be costly especially when you are just starting out in the field. However, as you will note below the tangible and intangible benefits you receive as a member can far offset the sometimes hefty dues.

• The healthcare field is constantly evolving and changing, both in its knowledge base and technologies, as well as in its regulations and laws. A professional association is the major advocacy group with local, state and national governments for a particular healthcare specialty regarding pay and marketing of the specialty. As such, they are on the front line of the latest advances in the industry. They disseminate that information to members through on-line databases of articles and periodicals, as well as professional publications delivered to the home.
• Many healthcare specialties require continuing education credits (CEUs) for licensure renewals and career development. Using the latest technologies, associations offer their members courses through web seminars, podcasts, self-study programs, and at their annual conferences. Members receive substantial discounts for CE products, and the accompanying handbooks, reference books and other resources.
• Healthcare associations also offer other money-saving affinity programs. Membership provides access to discounts on insurance, healthcare and wellness screenings, auto purchases and rentals, personalized marketing materials and national conference registrations. Becoming a member of a local and/or regional chapter of the association can substantially increase your savings in these and other areas.
• Associations are synergistic, their collective effect on and in the field is greater than that of any one of their individual members. Attending an association event, peer mentoring, participation in on-line forums and chat groups, and volunteering for a committee at the local/state level are all networking resources that enhance a member's knowledge base, aid their career development and provides access to experts in their field around the world. Each association's annual national conference is a huge networking opportunity that is not to be missed.

Annual association conferences for 2012 are:

• American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA): April 26-29 in Indianapolis, IN.
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) PT12: June 6-9 in Tampa, FL.
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): November 15-17 in Atlanta, GA.

In addition to all of the reasons above, becoming a member of a professional association has the added benefit of enhancing your resume. Then contact Centra at 800 535 0076 and let us parlay that professional enhancement into a great job!

The Keys to Finding Rehab Therapist Jobs

If you've decided to seek work as a rehabilitation therapist, your first step will be to earn a master's degree in either physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy. You'll also need to pass your field's licensure examination. If you're just starting to think about working as a rehab therapist, as you get ready for college, you should consider majoring in subjects as biology, psychology, sociology, anthropology, anatomy.

But you already knew all the above.

So here are some keys to help you find a rehab therapist job. Many of them apply to finding a job in any field, with a few tweaks for the rehab therapist.

1) You had to earn a master's degree in order to even start looking for a rehab therapist position, so head straight to your college's or university's career center. Or, better yet, speak with your PT, OT or speech therapy program leaders. Many health professions programs have listings of available positions. Some go so far as to really help place their graduates in rehab positions. At the least, speak to your favorite instructors for leads.

2) Network. Speak to your instructors/professors. When on your clinicals, speak to your preceptors to see about job opportunities when you graduate and pass the licensure examination. Even if your clinical site has no openings, your preceptors know people. Ask for names and contact information. And then....contact the individuals!

3) Check out healthcare career job search services such as Centra Healthcare Solutions. Many, just like Centra, focus only on rehab therapy positions. Search their sites for positions that interest you.

4) Be open to temporary or part-time positions, especially if you're set on working in a part of the country that has more rehab therapists than current openings.

5) Don't be a wallflower. Take the direct route. If there's a place you want to work, send in your CV -- even if there's no openings now. Be bold and take action: once you've sent in your CV and cover letter, call the head of the department where you want to work. Introduce yourself and say that you know she has no openings now, but that you'd like to keep in touch periodically in case her needs change. Most people are very amenable to being contacted in this professional manner. And then do what you said you would do -- stay in touch!

As mentioned in No. 3, above, contact Centra Healthcare Solutions. We have many rehab therapy positions just waiting for a skilled professional to fill them. Whether you're looking for the excitement of a travel therapy job, the flexibility of temporary positions or if you desire a regular, full-time position, contact us today.

Five Ways to Land Your Dream Job

Landing a great rehabilitation position requires more than just knowledge and great skills and the ability to showcase these to potential employers. It also requires drive, confidence, ambition and the ability to go where the job possibilities may lead you. For example, if you're now in one part of the country with your dream job waiting in another; you may have to be willing to take a chance and move.

There are five key components to finding the professional rehab therapist's Holy Grail.

1. Be flexible. The more flexible you are with your demands and desires, the more likely it is that you will land the job of your dreams. If you are too rigid in the way that you think about a career, you may find that no job will ever measure up. Keep an open mind about the type of rehab therapy position you are pursuing and be open to different possibilities.
2. Make sure you are willing to move to achieve your dreams. Often, the job of your dreams isn't waiting for you in your backyard; you have to travel to find it. In fact, this is one of the benefits of being a travel rehab therapist because you get to try on various locales and position types until you find the perfect fit for you.
3. Beef up your experience whenever possible. The more varied your rehab therapy experience, the more attractive a candidate you will be. Get experience whenever possible. Work full time and then spend some of your downtime doing some pro bono rehab work for a local clinic or community center. You might be exhausted at the thought of giving up your free time, but the experience and goodwill earned will take you far in your career.
4. Cultivate razor sharp customer service abilities. Rehab therapy is all about the patient and your ability to interact with him or her. Hone your "bedside manner" and customer service skills and learn to be the consummate professional. This is important to any and every potential employer looking for rehabilitation professionals.
5. Don't be afraid to advertise your skills. If you don't advertise yourself, who will? Don't be cocky, but don't be afraid to be confident. If you see a job you want, go after it based on your merit, skills and extensive experience.

Take your rehab career to a different plane and explore travel opportunities as a physical, occupational or speech therapist with Centra Healthcare Solutions. We have great rehab positions at facilities all across the country. Contact us today!

Ready for a Change in Your Rehabilitation Therapist Career?

Have you been working as an occupational, physical or speech therapist for a few years? Or are you a relatively "newly minted" rehab therapy practitioner?

Regardless of how long you've been practicing, it can be easy to become somewhat bored with your day-to-day routine. Of course, to change it up a bit you could change employers (or even change the type of employer for which you work, such as moving from a clinic to a school.)

Or you may want to look into taking on some travel therapist job assignments.

One of the great aspects of working as a travel therapist is the chance you have to "try out" different areas of the country as well as different rehab settings. Have you always wanted to know what it's like to work in a rural area that has underserved residents needing the attention of a rehabilitation therapist? Or have you dreamed of working in or near New York City so that you might enjoy all the art, culture and nightlife the Big Apple has to offer?

You can, when you work for a travel therapist staffing firm such as Centra Healthcare Solutions.

In addition, working as a travel therapist will let you grow your skills sets in ways that aren't possible when you're working in a "permanent" position. Many assignments are six to 13 weeks in length, often forcing one to learn and master new techniques quickly in order to be effective. In addition, you'll have frequent contact with patients you may never have had the chance to work with before. You'll also get to expand your circle of professional colleagues exponentially as you move about from assignment to assignment.

But wait, there's more! As a travel therapist, you'll receive a terrific hourly rate, almost always higher than it would be if you were on regular staff somewhere. You'll also receive free housing, health insurance, longevity and referral bonuses, a 401(k) retirement plan, and more.

If you'd like to learn more about travel therapist positions, contact a recruiter at Centra Healthcare Solutions. It's easy to get started on this exciting career track. We look forward to working with you!