Preparing to Start Travel Therapy as a New Graduate
As an upcoming physical therapy or occupational therapy graduate interested in a career in travel therapy, you’re on the cusp of an exciting journey that blends clinical expertise with adventure. Travel therapy offers the chance to work in diverse settings across the country, while honing your skills and exploring new places.
However, stepping into this unique career path right out of school requires thoughtful preparation. By focusing on your education, clinical experiences, and early career planning, you can set yourself up for success. Here’s how to get ready while still in school, when to connect with travel therapy companies and recruiters, and how to find a travel therapy company with the mentorship you’ll need to thrive.
Building a Strong Foundation in School
Your time in physical therapy or occupational therapy school is the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for a career as a travel physical therapist (Travel PT) or travel occupational therapist (Travel OT). Becoming a great clinician starts with excelling in both didactic and clinical education. Your coursework provides the backbone—absorb as much as you can about anatomy, treatment techniques, and evidence-based practice. Don’t just aim to pass; strive to deeply understand the material so you can apply it confidently in real-world scenarios. Travel therapy often demands quick adaptation to new environments, and a solid knowledge base will give you the flexibility to handle whatever comes your way.
Clinical internships (fieldwork) are where theory meets practice, and they’re critical for preparing to be a travel therapist. Seek out a variety of settings during your internships—hospitals, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or home health—to become well-rounded as a clinician. That exposure to different practice environments helps you build a versatile skill set, which is invaluable when you’re jumping between travel therapy contracts. This diversity in experience ensures you’re not pigeonholed into one type of practice and can adapt to the range of jobs you’ll encounter as a travel therapist.
Your final internship before graduation is especially pivotal. Use it to gain independence, as travel therapy often requires you to hit the ground running with minimal hand-holding. Take initiative, manage a full caseload if possible, and practice making clinical decisions with less supervision. Many facilities expect travel therapists to be self-sufficient from day one, so proving to yourself (and future employers) that you can work autonomously will ease your transition into this career path. Ask for feedback from your clinical instructors to refine your skills and boost your confidence—key traits for success on the road.
Connecting with Travel Therapy Recruiters and Companies
Knowing when and how to connect with travel therapy recruiters is a crucial step in launching your travel therapy career. It’s a good idea to start this process about three to six months before graduation. This timeline allows you to build relationships with recruiters while you’re still focused on school, without the immediate pressure of job hunting. Early connections mean recruiters can get to learn your goals—preferred settings, locations, or pay—and start scouting opportunities that align with your needs as a new grad PT or OT.
Your recruiter can really make or break your experience as a Travel PT or Travel OT. Finding a good one that has your wants and needs in mind when proposing job options is vital. It’s also very important to work with a recruiter who meshes well with your personality and communication preferences. Working with a company like AMN Healthcare, this won’t be a problem because as a large company, they have dozens of recruiters to choose from who can help with all different needs and situations.
Finding a Travel Therapy Company with Mentorship
As a new graduate, mentorship is non-negotiable. While travel therapy offers independence, it doesn’t mean you should be left to fend for yourself clinically. AMN Healthcare helps pair new grad PTs and OTs with experienced travelers, as well as clinical liaisons, who provide guidance remotely. This support can be a lifeline when you’re navigating unfamiliar facilities or complex patient cases.
When evaluating job opportunities as a new grad travel therapist, you’ll want to ensure they’re a good fit. Look for positions with mentorship on-site if possible—ideally, you won’t be the only clinician at the facility and there will be another therapist of your same discipline who can offer guidance on site.
Ask managers specific questions during the interview:
- Is there a team of therapists who work on site?
- Will I have an orientation period?
- Are there opportunities to consult with colleagues?
These factors ensure you’re placed in a “new grad friendly” environment where you can thrive rather than struggle.
Additionally, consider companies that prioritize your development. AMN Healthcare offers resources like continuing education or connections to mentors beyond your immediate workplace. A good recruiter will advocate for you, helping you avoid jobs that might overwhelm a beginner. Be upfront about your need for support—travel therapy is flexible, but your first few contracts should build your confidence, not break it.
Kickstart Your Travel Therapy Career with Confidence
Preparing for travel therapy as a new graduate physical therapist or occupational therapist is about blending academic rigor, clinical versatility, and strategic planning. Focus on becoming a standout clinician in school, diversify your clinical experiences during internships, and push for independence in your final rotation. Connect with recruiters a few months before graduation to kickstart your job search, and prioritize companies with robust mentorship to ease your entry into this dynamic field. With the right preparation, you’ll step into travel therapy ready to grow, explore, and make a difference—one contract at a time.
Written by Jared Casazza, PT, DPT
Jared Casazza graduated with his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Radford University in 2015. He began his career as a traveling physical therapist immediately after graduation, along with his wife and fellow PT, Whitney. Since then, Jared and Whitney have worked in five different states as Travel PTs, but have been able to visit all 50 states between travel therapy contracts. In addition to their extensive travels in the US, the couple has been able to visit more than 50 countries abroad between travel therapy contracts. Together Jared and Whitney are known as the Travel Therapy Mentors and have mentored and educated thousands of clinicians and students to help them begin their own travel therapy journeys. You can learn more and contact them for advice on getting started with travel therapy at Travel Therapy Mentor.
