Experienced SLP Earns Recognition as Allied Health Traveler
After building a prolific and rewarding career as a rehabilitation director for 22 years, Dorothy N. decided to take her career on the road as a traveling speech-language pathologist with AMN Healthcare. The staffing company recently named her their Allied Traveler of the Month for April.
“I am happy to report that I have been a therapist for 38 years,” Dorothy said. “I specialize in all acute care, so I work in every level of the hospital from emergency room and critical care to direct care and med–surg. Prior to my career as a rehab director, I was one of the first travelers with a company out of Florida. So I decided to come back to my passion of treating patients and moving around a little bit.”
Back on The Road as a Traveling SLP
Dorothy has been an allied health traveler with AMN Healthcare for the past 26 months. Becoming an empty nester was the reason that she decided to travel again. “What I am proud of is that I have two college-educated kids who are totally independent. So I didn’t have to worry about taking care of them. I told myself, ‘It’s Mama time.’”
And what a time it has been for Dorothy. Since re-embarking on a career with SLP travel jobs, she has spent her time practicing in California, traveling from San Francisco down to Ventura in Southern California.
Dorothy has made an impression at every facility where she has taken a speech-language pathologist assignment. As a result, she has been asked to extend her contracts several times. “I actually spent a year at one hospital because they kept asking me to extend.”
After her current contract ends, Dorothy plans to continue working in California until 2025. She shipped her car out from Florida so she can maximize her time in The Golden State.
Why She Chooses SLP Travel Jobs
In addition to her passion for patient care, Dorothy loves the flexibility that her career as a traveling therapist provides.
“I love the flexibility and how I have learned not to sweat the small stuff,” she said. “Sometimes we get caught up with not really appreciating our jobs, and being a traveler, you come in there and they are so welcoming that you are helping out that it is so rewarding. We get a chance to help others and then we move on. In my opinion, you could never not like traveling. If they paid me $200,000 to come back as a rehab director, I would say ‘No!’”
Dorothy appreciates the ability to continue to extend an assignment if she is thriving there, take time off in between contracts if she needs a break, and explore the new cities and towns around her contract facility.
“I’ve also loved to meet people that I would have never met and become friends with. There’s not been one assignment where I don’t call a person a friend, and I think about how powerful that is.”
Friendships can last a lifetime, as can many of the things that Dorothy has learned while on assignments. She values the mental challenge and continuous learning opportunities travel SLP jobs provide, including the industry conference she was able to attend last year.
“The conference was a rejuvenation for my passion for this field and I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t a traveler.”
There are many options when it comes to staffing agencies for speech-language pathologists, and Dorothy chose AMN Healthcare largely because of her recruiter, Eleni F. Dorothy first connected with AMN and Eleni about two years ago, and the two remained in contact and forged a friendship until she was ready to take an assignment.
“I have remained loyal to her because she remained loyal to me,” Dorothy explained. “I know there’s a lot of competition out there and I trust her.”
Being a Standout SLP Traveler
Having a strong recruiter/traveler relationship is critical to success as a traveling allied healthcare professional – regardless of the practice area, location or the company. And while Eleni does all she can to support Dorothy, she appreciates the fact that her traveler truly gives her all on each assignment. Her nomination of Dorothy for Allied Health Traveler of the Month spelled out many of the reasons why this travel SLP is deserving of recognition.
“Dorothy's impact is not limited to her professional obligations; her clients consistently express their desire for her to return or extend her assignments. Even in the face of challenging situations, where she encountered less-than-ideal work conditions, Dorothy's steadfast commitment to her word prevailed,” she wrote.
“When offered the opportunity to explore alternative options, she chose to remain loyal, ensuring that the facility and its patients continued to receive the coverage they anticipated—an uncommon trait in today's dynamic job market where quick transitions are prevalent,” Eleni continued.
“Dorothy's influence extends beyond her immediate work environment. She actively engages with fellow travelers, providing valuable insights and sharing her own positive experiences and adventures. As her recruiter, I am immensely proud of Dorothy for not only embracing the travel lifestyle but also for upholding her loyalty to our partnership throughout her travel career.”
Two of Dorothy’s most memorable and fulfilling moments as a travel SLP involved reuniting a patient with their birth mother and working with a 100-year-old patient. These instances showcase her respect and compassion for each and every one of her patients and her colleagues. Her work spans far beyond the functional aspect of speech-language pathology and touches hearts, too.
Ready to Try Allied Travel for Yourself?
If you have strong clinical knowledge, dedication and skill, a career as an allied healthcare traveler is definitely within reach. Connect with an AMN Healthcare recruiter today to embark on your journey to career success and satisfaction.
