FAQ- TLTR for most people.

Occasionally I get questions regarding traveling. Often it's from a graduate student, but occasionally it's from someone who has a permanent job and feels curious about the differences between traveling and permanent status. My usual response is to write an email to them if they've left an address- but I guess I could just refer them to this link for the most common questions!

Honestly, I'm too lazy to dig up the emails I've had over the last 3 years, but I'll summarize the most frequently asked questions. I'll still answer any specific questions one may have about traveling, but here's the general gist.

1. I'm a graduate student- would you recommend a traveling position for my CF year?

Absolutely not. There are multiple reasons for that strong answer. First of all, contracts don't really want to train you. They expect you to come in the door knowing how to be a Speech Language Pathologist. They want to train you in how to do their paperwork system, where the bathrooms are, and anything else specific to that place of employment. You would do better receiving the experience of a CF from a permanent placement. I'd recommend completing your CF, then working at that same location for at least a year, 2 if possible, before heading out on the road. I strongly recommend teaching hospitals because of the general excitement towards learning that prevail there.

Afterall, you'll often be required to be THE swallowing and communciation expert at a contract. You are representing all SLPs everywhere at that contract. You'll be the first impression into our profession many times. You don't want to be a false expert or a crappy therapist. Inadequate training harms our professional integrity and I would never recommend pretending to know more that you actually do know. A strong foundation will allow you to be an excellent therapist to all your patients- no matter how long you are with them.

I'm embarrassed to share how many times I hear awful stories regarding the contract Speech Therapist my contracts dealt with before. Let's just say the bar isn't set real high for me in many of my contracts. I strive to be the best, most knowledgeable person at my place of work in the areas of Swallowing and Communication. I'm proud to be an SLP and I cringe to know how many bad contract SLPs are floating around out there. Rant over. Get trained, then get traveling, in that order please.

2. How long are contracts?

Usually 13 weeks, though I often will extend. Every contract I've had has asked me to extend my contract. I'm still in this for the traveling and varied experience, so I've never extended past 6 months. If you extend 12 months- there's some tax stuff that starts to occur so it's not recommended. Anyways, if you are extending 12 months, why not just settle in and make it a permanent relationship???

3. Is pay better?

I've found it to be about the same size pay check ( a little bigger?) but the perks are pretty lucrative. I don't pay for my housing (they tell me where to live and I arrive- everything is set up for me down to the shower curtains!) I don't usually pay for my utilities. I get tax credits for gas and phone. Sometimes I even get free cable! My disposable income is pretty high- I'm able to put sizable chunks into savings. If you are saving up for a house or paying off debt- traveling is a great way to do it relatively quickly.

Companies take about half of your money- but you don''t know what they actually charge the "client" so you don't miss it. They do make a good amount of money from you- but they get to do all the stress of finding interviews, writing contracts, and finding your housing.

4. Do you interview for each job?

My resume is sent by my company and a phone interview comes from anyone who's interested. Phone interviews are fun- they can be completed in your pajamas! I usually have my resume in front of me during the interview because it's embarrassing to be asked when you worked last with a certain population and in the stress of the moment you forget which contract you completed where and when! I also take a lot of notes during the interview. Usually I'll have 2-5 interviews in a week (usually a few weeks before the end of my current contract) and I'll decide by Friday which one I'll accept. On the client side, they talk with you and give your company an "offer" or they'll say "no thanks".

5. What companies have you worked for?

I'm currently with Core Medical Group and I like working with them. Contact me if you want me to "recommend you". We'll talk. And yes, I get a bonus for referring you. :-) But I do like working with Core. I worked with Medical Staffing Network for one contract and I didn't like how they dealt with my need to get CEUs (they made me cover costs for both my conference AND for housing costs on the days I had to take off!!!). I would not recommend them based on their poor tolerance for continuing education. I worked for Sunbelt Staffing for over a year. I loved these guys- small company with really great people. I spent quality time with them during the ASHA conference in Miami, FL and they were super. The only reason I'm not still working with them is that they started offering me too many school contracts and I'm a hospital and rehab therapist. I'll work in a school once in a while, but I really thrive off of rehabilitation. If you go with Sunbelt- Julie Cole was a superb rep.

Benefits vary from company to company. Core offers an incentive trip (go read about my Mexico posts from March 2009). Sunbelt offered CEU money and paid vacation time. MSN- who knows- I didn't work with them long enough to accrue anything.

Whichever contract company you work with- talk to several and get a feel for them. Pick a rep who has a similar organizational style to you. Be organized, write things down and for goodness sake--- READ YOUR CONTRACTS CLOSELY EVERY TIME. Don't sign until you are happy with it. I've only ever had to recommend a few changes over the years. Usually it's to add some parking money for city assignments or guarantee 40 hours (necessary to work at least 35 to keep most benefits).

6. Why do traveling therapy?

Everyone has reasons. You can save up money. You get to see different areas of the USA. You get to see various styles of leadership and organization by moving employment locations every 13 weeks. You get exposed to many therapy styles. You learn there are multiple right ways of doing things. You meet lots of people (I overcame a lifelong shyness on my journeys!) You can take lots of pretty pictures. You can taste the food from many ethnicities, live in many different styles of apartments, and try out lots of churches and gyms. I've met travelers who are running from exes, or seeing the world, or just making money. There's no wrong or right reason to travel. Just be the best therapist you can in each location and take full advantage of every hour of every day exploring your new digs.

7. Any further recommendations?

Become organized. Put your stuff in storage. Get the experience you need to be a good therapist and then travel. Keep doing your CEUs to keep yourself updated in the profession.

Pick a location that you will call "home base". Mine is my parents' home. I visit them between assignments if possible. At home base, I have a dentist, a hair stylist, and my storage facility. My boxes that I get into are labeled: "Therapy material for adults", "Therapy material for kids", "Winter clothes", "Summer clothes", "camping equipment", "resource books". That way I can just grab the entire box before heading out to my assignment based on the season and patient population.

If I get sick on an assignment I asked coworkers who their doctor is and then I look it up to see if they are a provider for my PPO- most are. I'm rarely sick- but it has happened. You'll need to see a doctor for an annual checkup anyway (required for most companies). Urine tests are also required by most assignments- they pay for it. Don't do drugs, man. :-) And don't be insulted- they don't know you from the man in the moon so just let them be careful.

Let go of the stress. You will have to complete paperwork last minute ("Gee, the client needs you to fill this out immediately and fax it back!"). You will not know where your next contract will be more than a month in advance. You will not know your new address sometimes until the day you move in (with two of my contracts, and two different companies, I've driven into town not knowing exactly what address I'm heading to- it always works out!) If this scares the crap out of you, then maybe you NEED to travel so you can get over it! :-) There's a certain adrenaline high one gets each time they start a new contract. There's a sense of excitement to walking into a contract or town without knowing exactly what you will have to deal with. You learn to go with the flow and develop a sense of blowing in the wind. I don't stress about that stuff. Housing is not my responsibility. Nothing in employment is so horrible you can't deal with it for 13 weeks. Do what you can do- then walk away from the bad ones. If you get into a situation where they ask you be be unethical- walk away sooner. No GOOD company will prevent you from ending a contract for ethical issues.

In closing: I love traveling. I won't do it forever. I miss building relationships between myself and the doctors. I miss seeing how my patients are doing months and years after I've worked with them. I miss planting professional and personal roots. I miss being in the church choir! I'll be done in the next year or so and I'll have loads of pictures and relationships from across the nation. I'll have done something cool in my life. I have the pictures to prove it.

If there are further questions- post them here. I'll answer in the comment section!