A vitally important professional position is that of an occupational therapist. Learn more about the requirements to work as a travel occupational therapist here. Every type of healthcare professional is in greater demand, and occupational therapy is no different. One can enjoy this fulfilling career and travel to new places while working as a travel occupational therapist and earning a very good living at the same time.
How to become a travel occupational therapist
Because their roles are similar, the process to become a travel occupational therapist is comparable to that of a traditional occupational therapist. To start a career as a travel occupational therapist, just adhere to these steps:
1. Earn a bachelors degree
You can first obtain a bachelor’s degree in a related field to prepare for a career as a traveling occupational therapist. These professionals frequently major in health science, biology, and psychology. Studying a related field may include prerequisite courses, such as abnormal psychology, that will help you get ready for graduate school. It’s beneficial to maintain excellent grades while completing your bachelor’s because admission to graduate school can be competitive.
2. Complete observation hours
Traveling occupational therapists can complete 30 to 40 hours of observational work to determine whether this is their ideal career. Typically, this entails observing other occupational therapists in various settings. Early on in your academic career, you should observe because there may only be a limited number of time slots available for shadowing. Getting observational experience beforehand can help you have an advantage over other applicants when you apply to graduate programs.
3. Research graduate programs
When you have earned your bachelor’s degree, you can look into graduate programs. A Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) can be obtained by traveling occupational therapists. Both degrees may prepare you for positions with comparable pay, so when choosing a graduate program, keep the following things in mind:
4. Obtain your masters or doctorate
Occupational therapy courses can be taken to obtain a master’s or doctorate degree. These programs frequently spend their first year instructing students in courses on kinesiology and career development. Graduate programs also include fieldwork, where students can get practical experience in settings similar to the ones they intend to work in.
5. Pass the NBCOT exam
You can demonstrate your understanding of occupational therapy procedures and capacity to satisfy the prerequisites by passing the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT) certification exam. You respond to 170 multiple-choice questions and three clinical simulation test questions on the exam. You become an Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) after passing this exam.
6. Get licensed
You can obtain a state license to practice occupational therapy in your state. You can do this by submitting a licensure application, passing a background check, and taking and passing an exam on the laws and regulations of your state. State-specific occupational therapy license requirements vary, and you can obtain them for multiple states. You can visit the American Occupational Therapy Association website to see the complete list of requirements.
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7. Consider a certification
Traveling occupational therapists have the option of obtaining a certification in a particular field of study. This may facilitate their search for employment and increase their knowledge. Some areas to earn a certification include:
8. Take continuing education courses
You can enroll in continuing education courses to keep your occupational therapist license current. Depending on the state you practice in, you may need to complete a different number of hours. By completing these courses, you can keep up with the technology and knowledge required for your field of work.
9. Apply for jobs
When you’re prepared to apply for jobs, look into potential travel staffing firms to find ones that provide assignments you might be interested in. By reading online forums, you can discover more about the opinions current travel occupational therapists have regarding a specific agency. When you locate a staffing company, you can get in touch with the hiring manager and submit an application. To confirm your credentials, they might ask you to complete background checks and reference checks.
What does a travel occupational therapist do?
Traveling occupational therapists visit various locations to assist patients who are ill, injured, or disabled in maintaining abilities required for daily tasks. These experts frequently take on short-term contracts for health care travel companies through recruiters that typically last 13 weeks in order to meet pressing staffing needs. Common job duties for travel occupational therapists include:
Work environment for travel occupational therapists
Occupational therapists on the road can work in a range of clinical settings. Depending on where their staffing company is needed, these professionals may commute to various locations. As they work with various patients and pick up new treatment techniques, their work environments can be stressful and call for flexibility. However, because they can plan their assignments around their personal commitments, this type of occupational therapist frequently has a flexible schedule. Some settings where travel occupational therapists can work include:
Can I be a travel occupational therapist as a new grad? (and is it a good idea?)
FAQ
Can you travel the world as an occupational therapist?
Many OTs think about utilizing mobile occupational therapy at some point. Travel OT not only gives you a ton of experience and exposure to various environments, but it also pays well and can help you pay off loans quickly. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to weigh with any type of practice.
Do travel OTs make more money?
The average Travel Occupational Therapist in the US makes $97,752. Travel Occupational Therapists make the most in San Francisco, CA at $146,824, averaging total compensation 50% greater than the US average
Is being a travel OT worth it?
The average OT salary falls between $39. 00-$42. 00 per hour with Med Travelers. Start visualizing yourself working in school-based, home-health, or other clinical settings while taking advantage of DAY ONE advantages and a number of other benefits.
What is the highest paying field in occupational therapy?
- Nursing care facilities: $92,260 per year.
- Home healthcare services: $91,830 per year.
- Hospitals: $86,910 per year.
- Offices: $86,830 per year.
- Elementary and secondary schools: $76,560 per year.
