360 Staffing Blog

Be proactive when it comes to your licenses

Fri, 11 May 2012 15:42:09 GMT

When you’re an on-the-go travel therapist, staying on top of your licensure is an important task. Interim jobs have quick starts, most inside of a week, and having your license in place is critical. But some licenses take up to four weeks to be activated. So what’s the smart job hunter to do? Be proactive and begin the licensing procedure while you’re still on assignment at your current job. And remember, 360 Healthcare Staffing will reimburse the licensure cost, even if your license is not used immediately after it is received.

As a speech-language pathologist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist, your licensure is state-by-state. Talk to a 360 Healthcare Staffing recruiter about which states have the most opportunities and where you might want to work in the future.

For nurses, there’s an agreement called a “Nurse Licensure Compact.” If you live in one of 24 states and hold an active RN or LPN/VN nursing license in good standing (advanced practice registered nurses are not included), and declare one of them as your primary residence, you can have one multistate license and practice in both your home state and other party states.

Nurse Licensure Compact Member States:

Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Mexico
North Carolina
North Dakota
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Wisconsin

The flexibility of travel therapy is one of its primary draws for allied health professionals. Keeping your licensure current is one way that you can have the flexibility to travel and work all over the United States.

Five reasons speech-language pathology is a great career

Fri, 04 May 2012 12:04:59 GMT

This month, we’re celebrating Better Hearing and Speech Month by extending a hearty thank you to the speech-language pathologists who help with the prevention of and recovery from speech and language disorders. We want to take a moment to highlight this exciting career path and look at why we appreciate the valuable work that these dedicated professionals do.

Five reasons speech-language pathology is a great career

1. The work prospects are booming.
This career is so promising that it was recently named a best job of 2012 by U.S. News & World Report. In the next decade, the number of these professionals will grow by 23 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That’s about 28,000 new therapist positions!

2. Speech-language pathologists see positive outcomes regularly.
Many speech conditions can be prevented and treated, so these therapists have successful outcomes on a regular basis.

3. These professionals work with people of all ages to help them live a better life.
Between 6-8 million people in the U.S. have some form of language impairment. As the large baby boom population ages, there will be more instances of health conditions that cause these impairments, such as strokes and hearing loss. Speech-language pathologists also help younger patients who have speech and language disorders, such as stuttering.

4. The work takes place in a variety of settings.
About half of all speech-language pathologists work in educational settings. Most others work in healthcare facilities. Some work in patients’ homes.

5. These clinicians make a real difference in patients’ lives.
Speech-language pathologists not only treat conditions, they also help to prevent future issues with speech and communication. The work they do helps people of all ages function at a higher level.

Speech-language pathologists strive tirelessly to improve our communication and help people live better and recover faster. For these reasons and many others, we salute them this month and say thank you.

5 tips for the online healthcare professional

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:46:52 GMT

Many years ago, I used to hear a saying that “the news of today is lining the wastepaper baskets of tomorrow.” This literally meant that what people were talking about in the newspapers today would be lining the trashcan the next day.

But that is not so today which is an age of digital content and social conversations where news from ten years ago is available online and searchable within a few clicks. And the “news” is not coming from newspapers anymore, either. With Facebook, Twitter, and thousands of other sites and blogs, we make our own news, sometimes with a detrimental personal effect.

This is where prudence comes into play for the savvy healthcare professional, who will want to watch with care what is posted about him or her online. Your digital footprint is something you should monitor regularly and protect. This is not only to guard your reputation, but also to take the safety precautions. Here are a few guidelines to get you started.

1. Don't post information, stories or pictures relating to or about your patients without their express, written consent. Not only could you be violating trust, you could be violating the law and putting your job at risk.

2. Be professional in your public posts. No bad-mouthing, discriminating or offensive rants. Just ask yourself, “Would I want my employer and patients to read this?”

3. Use your privacy filters. Many social media sites like Facebook offer the opportunity to set a level of privacy so that only people you choose can see a post. If you want to take a stance on a political issue, for instance, you might consider doing that behind a privacy filter.

4. Don't post locations where you practice or your personal address. This is a basic safety precaution that women, in particular, need to follow.

5. Be careful about the message you are sending out to the world about yourself. Be cognizant of photos that you and your friends are posting of you online. How does that reflect your professional image? Will this impact future job interviews? These are questions to ask yourself before you upload or update a social media site.

The digital world is real-time and can be a wonderful source of entertainment and connectivity with friends, families and other like-minded people. Practicing just a bit of caution and being educated on the accessibility of your information will keep protect you and your professional reputation for years, and perhaps generations to come.

Top five reasons we appreciate occupational therapists

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:46:47 GMT

It’s Occupational Therapy Month in April and we want to say “thank you” to all of our occupational therapists who travel with us and bring their expertise to facilities around the United States.

Here are the top five reasons we appreciate occupational therapists and the work they do.

1. They help patients of all kinds live a better life.

Occupational therapy’s holistic and customized approach to evaluations, interventions and outcomes help in so many ways: people with disabilities become able to participate in social situations; a person recovering from an injury regains skills; older adults stay as independent as possible; and people of all ages and in all circumstances can get specialized support and services that only these professionals can provide.

2. The whole goal and concept of the profession is to help patients be more capable, independent and fulfilled.

Occupational therapists are part of a vitally important profession that helps people of all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

3. Occupational therapists make valuable contributions in helping people master "skills for the job of living" after an illness or injury.

Occupational therapists are experts at understanding the interrelationships among the physical, psychological and social aspects of illness, injury and aging. For this reason, they are often the ones we call on after an injury or illness to help us regain any lost function.

4. Occupational therapists promote health and help to prevent future injury or illness.

Many occupational therapy campaigns are centered on wellness and injury/illness prevention. These are professionals you can count on in sickness and in health!

5. Almost all of us will need to have occupational therapy treatment at some point in our lives. Thank you!

Occupational therapists work with people of all ages, including those with disabilities and injuries, as well as healthy folks. You can find them in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement centers, community organizations and workplaces. They promote health in a broad range of ways, from general prevention strategies, like car safety recommendation programs, to specific activities for individuals with chronic medical conditions.

So join us this month in thanking the occupational therapists in your life—they bring function and joy into people’s lives every day.

Conferences offer chance for learning, fun for travel therapists

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 17:34:26 GMT

The excitement is building and the opportunity to learn and develop skills and relationships has arrived. Are you ready to take advantage of the educational sessions, tour the expos and network with your peers at conferences this year?

For allied health professionals - such as speech, physical and occupational therapists - these professional development events offer unique opportunities to expand knowledge, meet new people, and learn about the latest advances in the field.

Additionally, attending a professional conference provides traveling therapists with a chance to step back and reflect on their work and look at the big picture. It can be a much-needed holiday from day-to-day activities and routine.

Finally, these conferences offer therapists the chance to network, network, network! One of the greatest benefits of conference attendance is simply meeting other folks in the field and sharing stories, information, and wisdom.

So get out your calendar and mark these “must attend” conferences.

Occupational therapists and assistants

The American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference & Expo, April 26-29, 2012, in Indianapolis, Ind. http://www.aota.org/conference

Why you should attend: This conference offers advanced-level learning in topic-focused pre-conference institutes and seminars. It’s one-stop CE learning with more than 700 sessions and up to 24 contact hours. There’s an exciting opening night at the welcome ceremony and expo reception and attendees will get insight and energy boost from Florence Clark’s presidential address. This is also home to popular special events and wonderful networking opportunities.

Physical therapists and assistants

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) hosts three distinct national conferences each year.

APTA Annual Conference & Exposition: www.apta.org/AnnualConference/
June 6-9, 2012, in Tampa, Fla.

Why you should attend: This conference offers more than 90 educational programs and 14 tracks and includes popular signature events like the McMillan and Maley lectures and the Oxford Debate. Attendees can earn up to 21 CEUs.

APTA National Student Conclave: www.apta.org/nsc/
November 2-4, 2012, in Arlington, Vir.

Why you should attend: This is APTA's premier meeting for students of physical therapy. NSC is an unforgettable weekend of learning and fun beyond the classroom where attendees can meet students and practitioners from across the nation that share their professional interests and outlooks. Students can also explore job opportunities and new technology, as well as talk to experienced APTA members about polishing up their résumés and interview skills.

APTA Combined Sections Meeting (CSM): http://www.apta.org/csm
January 21-24, 2013, in San Diego, Calif.

Why you should attend: This conference is a collaborative effort between APTA and their 18 specialty sections. Almost 12,700 professionals attended the 2012 CSM, the biggest turnout on record. Experts from the field offer insight and education in everything from acute care and orthopedics to wound care, geriatrics, and health policy and administration. The 2012 CSM offered 1.8 CEUs (18 contact hours/CCUs).

Speech therapists and assistants

American Speech-Language-Hearing-Association (ASHA) Convention, November 15–17, 2012, in Atlanta, Ga.
http://www.asha.org/events/convention

Why you should attend: The ASHA Convention is the premier annual event for speech-language pathologists; audiologists; and speech, language and hearing scientists. Bringing together more than 12,000 attendees, the annual convention provides attendees with an annual opportunity to learn about the latest evidence-based research, polish their skills, improve their techniques and gain new tools and resources to advance their careers and augment their workplace. The theme for 2012 is “Evidence of Excellence: Opportunities and Outcome.”

Increase your marketability, fun with second language

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 11:40:46 GMT

Travel therapists bring a multitude of marketable traits to their job to include: flexibility, experience working in multiple locations, exposure to different kinds of people and the ability to think “on the fly.” Therefore, learning a second language is a natural fit and only makes this already adventurous group more appealing to employers. Still further, a bilingual or even trilingual therapist adds a whole new level of opportunity and fun to the job.

In all seriousness, a second language allows allied health professionals to communicate with more patients and better meet their needs. The United States is an incredibly diverse place with dozens of languages spoken here by hundreds of thousands of people. In fact, three states are by de facto bilingual. In Maine, English and French are both legally recognized; in Louisiana, English and French are widely spoken and in New Mexico - although there is no official language - laws are published in English and Spanish, and the government materials and services are required to be accessible in both languages.

In many other states, like those bordering Mexico, Spanish is also widely spoken. California recognizes a multitude of languages and goes so far as to publish its Department of Motor Vehicles documentation in nine languages. Still more, their state documents are translated into Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Persian, Russian, Vietnamese and Thai.

To bring the conversation back to the traveling therapist, this discussion simply points to the reality that a therapist is very likely to run into people from many ethnicities in any given day and he or she may experience language barriers. It doesn’t take much, then, to understand that therapy can be all that more effective when the therapist and the patient are communicating with the same language.

Learning a new language has a number of benefits. It is fantastic for the brain because it keeps our grey matter healthy and alert. For example, a few years ago, the American Medical Association published a study done on repetitious "brain exercises," like language study, over six weeks. The researchers concluded that keeping mentally active improves memory and cognitive capacity.

Finally, learning a second language is fun! There is wonderful social enrichment and much laughter that occurs when traveling and actually using the language to communicate with native speakers. And a therapist doesn’t have to learn the language in a nearby college classroom—he or she can head to the native country. Imagine snorkeling in Cancun after a morning language class.

For all these reasons and more, we think traveling therapists should seriously consider studying a second language and adding more color, flavor and excitement to their already adventurous occupation.

Top Ten Reasons to Switch to Travel Therapy

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:26:37 GMT

If you’re an allied healthcare professional looking to take your career to the next level, you might want to hit the road. Travel therapists, including occupational, speech and physical, have huge opportunities available through this area of the industry. These jobs are often high paying with great benefits and offer the chance to see new parts of the United States, 13-weeks at a time.

Top ten reasons to switch to travel therapy jobs

1. Flexibility of work. You get to decide where you want to go and what type of position you want to fill. Plus, if you love your destination, you can easily arrange to stay for another 13-week assignment or even find a permanent position.

2. Fantastic housing. Your private housing is free and often located in prime spots with lots of amenities, like a pool or a gym. It’s always turnkey ready—walk in the door, and everything is in its place, from fresh linens to dishwashing detergent.

3. Personal attention from a 360 staffing consultant. We’re all about your happiness, so we work closely with every therapist to determine hours, location, housing options and transportation in your chosen city. This is VIP customer service.

4. Continuing education reimbursement. You have to take a certain number of continuing education classes each year to keep your license current and at 360 Healthcare Staffing, we pay for your classes in whatever city you choose.

5. Confidence building. Working in a variety of therapy settings with different kinds of co-workers and patients builds your skill set and confidence.

6. Get a bonus when you refer a therapist. Through our Bucks for Buddies program, you can earn cash when you refer a therapist who is hired by 360 for a travel position.

7. Go beyond the guidebooks. You’ll get to know your travel cities better than any vacation-goer because you’re there longer. Sites and attractions will come alive for you when you travel this way.

8. Lighten your load. One of our 360 staffing consultants handles all the details—your job is to do great on the interview, pack your gear and get ready to hit the road!

9. Finish your bucket list. Plan out all the places you’ve wanted to see and start checking them off as you travel to each assignment. Make maps and guidebooks your new bedtime reading.

10. Improve your cultural literacy. In today’s marketplace, the ability to work with people from all walks of life is an essential skill set. As you travel and work, you’ll learn all about the diverse cultures in our country.

Get started today with a travel therapy job by calling 360 Healthcare Staffing at 877-360-STAF or visit us online on Facebook or Twitter.

Making Valentine’s Day sweet while on the road

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:26:43 GMT

Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but time away from your significant other on Valentine’s Day can flat out be a bummer.

For therapists and nurses traveling on assignment this February 14, physical separation doesn’t have to mean lack of romance. With thoughtful gestures and the wonders of technology, you can feel close and connected to your loved one.

Consider these romance-boosting ideas for your sweetie:

1. Schedule a Skype chat. All you need is a computer, tablet or mobile device with a high-speed Internet connection and the ability to download the program or app. It even works on some televisions with Internet. Read more about it here.

2. Make a digital Valentine’s card. Use photos from your assignment and send it via e-mail.

3. Send a singing telegram. Yes, they still exist and yes, they are still awesomely funny and embarrassing. Google listings in your hometown and send one to your significant other’s work. He or she will never forget it.

4. Create a “day in the life” video. Your loved one will enjoy seeing the sights and sounds of your travel adventure. Your smart phone probably has video capability and you can shoot snippets throughout a few days. In just a few minutes of video, your significant other can meet your work buddies, see your housing, visit your town and feel close to you. You’ll also enjoy looking back at this for years to come.

5. Send a gourmet gift basket. Champagne and chocolate, anyone? There are many websites that specialize in everything from exotic fruit to bubble bath and bubbly.

These are just a few ideas to fire your imagination—our travelers are clever and will undoubtedly come up with other creative ways to spread the love on Valentine’s Day.

Physical Therapy Ranks as ‘Best Job’—Is It for You?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:20:49 GMT

We happily took note when CNNMoney.com recently ranked physical therapy number seven in the top 30 best jobs in America. The survey looked for jobs with excellent pay, job security, manageable stress, helping society and increasing demand.

This isn’t news to us—we’re tireless cheerleaders for this helping profession in the booming healthcare field. Every day, we place physical therapists (PTs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) in positions that make a real difference in the lives of people, pay well and offer stellar benefits.

Experts predict that the physical therapy industry will boom in the next 10 years. So why is physical therapy such a hot field? First, let’s look at the populations served by PTs. Baby boomers are getting older and by 2025, the number of people worldwide over 60 is projected to double to almost two billion. The majority of those folks will live in developed countries, like the U.S.

PT helps people with the aging process—they can stay healthier and more independent, as well as see an improvement in quality of life. For people with chronic health conditions, like arthritis, a PT can teach them how to exercise to improve health while staying safe.

It’s also gotten easier to see a PT. Many states have eliminated the physician referral requirement for insurance. That opens the door for more patients.

Do you think this might be the field for you? Read on to learn more about how to be a PT or PTA and what the job involves.

Qualifications
PTs have advanced degrees, typically a two- to three-year graduate program. Usually that means a doctorate, though some masters programs are available. PTs usually study anatomy, behavioral science, biomechanics, cellular histology, exercise physiology, neuroscience, pathology, pharmacology, physiology and radiology.

In most states, a PT must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination. There is also ongoing continuing education throughout the years to keep up with the many changes and advances in the field.

Some start off their career as assistants. PTAs need an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program. Additionally, most states require licensing for PTAs and working under a PT.

There are physical qualifications, as well, since the work can be demanding on the body. A PT need to be able to lift 50 pounds or more because in work with patients, he or she will often bear weight from the patient’s body, serve as a spotter with specialized exercise equipment and conduct stretching exercises.

Office and computer skills are also a requirement for PTs and PTAs. As professionals, they should have mastery of basic spelling, grammar and punctuation, as well as typing and e-mail, as these are often used to communicate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team. People in this profession will also frequently prepare written instructions for patients and manage office tasks, so programs like MS Word, Excel and Outlook are recommended.

Perhaps most important, PTs and PTAs need superior interpersonal skills. This is a helping profession and involved one-on-one work with diverse groups of people. This means that effective verbal communication can make the difference between successful treatment and difficulties with patients.

Finally, this profession requires planning and organization skills. Therapists establish goals for each patient, so the ability to plan ahead and meet deadlines is critical.

Work environment
PT is not necessarily a one-office, 9-5 kind of job, so flexibility is key. Many professionals in this field work several part-time jobs at once, travel for 12-week assignments (like we offer at 360 Healthcare) or work in their own clinic. Many of these settings offer day and early evening appoints—some even are open on the weekends to accommodate patients’ schedules.

Generally speaking, PTs and PTAs are part of a team, including doctors, nurses and other therapists such as occupational therapists and speech language pathologists.

The job outlook for Physical Therapists
There are 180,280 jobs filled in PT and 109,900 filled in PTA, according to the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment of PTs is expected to grow by 30 percent from 2008 to 2018. That’s great news!

States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for PTs are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine. The top-paying states are Alaska, New Jersey, Texas, Delaware and Maryland.

Advancement in the field is usually based on level of education and years spent in practice.

For more information, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics or the World Confederation of Physical Therapy.

Flexible Interim Consultants Make Efficient Interim Consultants

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:53:18 GMT

I once worked with a woman with 10 years as director of nursing—she was one of the best and had decided to try traveling as a new career path and adventure. We found her a great placement and all was well until she called, concerned because her company had asked her to be the unit manager for 30 days. What should she do, she asked?

I took the opportunity to talk to her about flexibility, that most wonderful trait of travelers. A facility many times needs executive level support in different specific areas in the skilled nursing facility. Also, the facility may already have a DNS on record and need the ADNS role filled to help with survey prep.

In this case, the latter was true and the woman served a vital role for those 30 days and earned rave reviews for her performance as unit manager.

Whenever these types of situations arise, I tell my travelers not to look at the request as a demotion or a hit to his or her ego. It’s an opportunity to be a team player. After all, the more flexible interims are, the more useful and efficient they are as interim travelers.

You never know what a facility is in need for; however, a high-level nurse has been through many different scenarios. The experience will be needed in many different ways, not just to manage an entire facility.

Make 2012 resolutions that stick

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:45:02 GMT

It’s easy to throw together a list of New Year’s resolutions—lose weight, stop procrastinating, call home more—but making them stick takes talent and determination.

This year, put some thought into your list and cull it down to a few achievable, meaningful resolutions that will make a difference in your quality of life. Here are five that we think are worthy of consideration.

1. Update your resume
As a traveler, you’ve got some excellent experience under your belt. Make sure your resume reflects the diversity of your experience, from treatment modalities to settings, staffing variety to hours. Your broad range of knowledge is a commodity and your resume should show that off to your best advantage.

2. Put the focus on fun
Dale Carnegie once said that, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” We take that to mean that a well-balanced, successful life includes a healthy dose of smiles and laughter. This exercise may seem silly, but try it anyway: make a list of 20 things you think are fun, anything at all. Now put that list where you can see it and make a point of doing them! Take yourself to a funny movie or comedy club; make coffee dates with new friends; go exploring in your city on a day off. It’s a sad fact that most adults seem to get so caught up in the business of day-to-day living that they forget to step back from the seriousness and concentrate on joy.

You might also consider taking up a new hobby as a way to enhance the fun factor in your life. Always wanted to learn to play the banjo? Paint watercolors? Snowboard? You’re never too young or old to learn a new skill.

3. Buy less, enjoy what you have more
We live in a culture that reveres “stuff” and it can get overwhelming, especially if you’re a traveling therapist. Look around you—your life is likely already full of good gadgets and decorations, knick-knacks and books. Take time to dust off what you do have and enjoy it instead of heading out and buying more. You’ll not only see an increase in satisfaction with your home life, you’ll save money, which can grow your financial security.

4. Get Organized
Oh, where did you put that receipt? And your tax papers? And where is the address book?...Sound familiar? If disorganization has you pulling at your hair, make 2012 the year you commit to a system of organization and stick to it. Take a day and go through your things and give away what you haven’t used recently. And don’t buy anything new for 30 days (see #3 above) while you focus on what you do have.

A quick Google search will reveal hundreds of websites with effective systems of organization—pick one that appeals to you. One of our favorite rules is to take 10 minutes at the end of every day to walk around, picking up, putting things in their proper places and not letting things pile up.

5. Help Others
Researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in Bethesda, Maryland, found that when people engage in unselfish acts, the brain “reward center” lights up. The means that helping others can create a spike in feel-good chemicals in the brain, like dopamine. This can foster overall feelings of well-being and happiness, two things that we all want more of. Helping others just feels good and it’s the right thing to do.

We want to know about your resolutions! Tell us what you’re going to do in 2012 and how you’re going to make it stick. E-mail me here.

Hit the road with a travel therapy job

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:40:48 GMT

As we prepare to enter 2012, talk of the economy is all about us. With all the bad news, there are bright spots, like jobs in the healthcare industry. In particular, opportunities for physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) are growing. And if you’re an adventuresome soul, what could be better than working as a traveling therapist? You get to do what you love, change people’s lives and see the country 13-weeks at a time.

Whether you’re a recent graduate or seasoned professional, 360 Healthcare Staffing will find you a position based on your experience level and travel preferences. Want to stay warm in Florida for the winter? Spend summer in sunny California? See the northeast in the fall? We can accommodate your wishes! You can even take on travel assignments in your hometown if you want.

One secret that travel therapists know is that their positions often pay substantially more than a permanent one. In fact, travel therapists are some of the highest paid workers in the field. Other perks can include stellar benefits, free furnished housing, travel expense allowance, free continuing education classes, placement services and ongoing, personalized support from 360 staff. In addition, many travelers are eligible for bonuses after finishing their 13-week assignment.

A travel position also looks wonderful on your resume. Employers understand that traveling PTs and OTs are flexible people who work with diverse populations and different types of clinical teams. This is invaluable in the workforce of today.

Sit down and make a pro and con list for being a travel therapist—we know you’ll see that the benefits are huge and 360 is one of the most responsive, personal travel therapist placement services you can find. Call us today at 877-360-STAF or e-mail recruitment@360healthcarestaffing.com to find out more about the adventures and excitement that await you.

What Makes a Good Traveler?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:34:46 GMT

St. Augustine once said, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” Traveling therapists read volumes with their work and even write a few pages themselves!

But just what makes a good traveler? When I speak with people about this lifestyle, the first thing I ask them is if they like change. This is important for a traveler because the environment varies all the time. Locations change. Hours change. Even coworkers change. Flexibility is a major asset and necessary quality.

After flexibility, good travelers are people who are knowledgeable about their own modalities, the different ways of doing things within the profession. They are not afraid to adapt to the way a particular facility does things and are always willing to learn new skills. In many hospital settings, the need is so great that they require travelers who can help wherever needed.

Another thing I’ve noticed over the years is that the most successful travelers are those who love what they do and enjoy helping people. At the end of the day on the East coast or West, North or South, travelers need to be able to look in the mirror and feel good about making a difference in people’s lives.

One of my favorite traits of successful travelers is their sense of adventure. They enjoy experiencing new cultures, exploring new places, meeting new people and learning new things. This is one of the greatest appeals of this lifestyle, the promise of opportunity to get away from home and discover the wider world.

Healthcare traveling can be a fantastic experience. Look at it as a mini vacation where you can meet new people and make new friends and be one of the world’s adventurers.

Away from Home for the Holidays

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:29:14 GMT

Christmas trees are coming out and the holidays are upon us once again. With the emphasis on family during this time of year, traveling therapists and nurses have special challenges. If they are miles from home, should they make the trip? Bring family to them? Create their own holiday celebration? Boycott the whole thing?

If you’ve got the time off and are considering making the trip home, mull over the stress versus comfort equation. Yes, holiday travel means busy roads and packed airports, but once you’ve arrived, the pleasures of home often make it worth the effort. Then again, if you’re driving and it’ll take as much time to get there as you’ll have to spend in the city itself, you might want to reconsider. Make a “pros” and “cons” list and see where you land.

If finances, scheduling or other reasons prohibit traveling home, consider bringing your family to you. A new city can provide entertainment and days of exploring between holiday cookies and meals. This is particularly true if your location is a different climate than your family’s home. For Minnesotans, what could be better than lolling on a Florida or California beach in the sunshine? Or if you’re in the northeast, the charm of historic cities can make for fun car rides when family is visiting.

Perhaps neither of these options as a possibility—many travelers get scheduled to work shifts around and on holidays because full-time employees take the time off. Interim coverage is critical for continuity of care, so take comfort knowing that even if you’re not with your family, you’re taking care of someone else’s loved one. That’s important stuff and you can make the difference between loneliness and a meaningful day for residents.

Whatever you choose, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and new year.

Get to know your city and its discounts online

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:40:25 GMT

For the traveling therapist, one of the most fun aspects of work is getting to know a new location. Forget dusty old travel books—the newest way to get to know a location is to discount your way through town.

Online “coupon sites” are the rage and they offer a huge range of ideas for getting out, from meals to massages, skydiving to spelunking. Two that jump to mind are LivingSocial.com and Groupon.com. Both of these online sites also have mobile apps that make it possible to grab your smartphone, explore and save. You might take a yoga class in the morning, go to work, get a facial at five, then grab a bite to eat at a local hot spot before heading home.

As traveling interim healthcare professionals, you might also find yourself in remote locations without access to big shopping centers or malls. Other online discount sites can save the day—at Valpak.com, you can plug in a zip code and get a list of stores, restaurants and services with printable coupons.

Other site to consider:
Retailmenot.com
Fatwallet.com
Couponmountain.com
CouponSherpa.com
Google.com/offers

Social media is also changing the world of couponing. Twitter has loads of users who rock the savings. Check these out:
@coupongeek
@dealrocker
@extremecoupon
@discounthunters
@dealsplus
@frugalfreebies

Online and mobile discounts aren’t just a way to save money—they can help you get to know a city better and meet new people. So jump online and have fun.

Stress management

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:50:59 GMT

Every job has its share of stress and learning effective stress management techniques is a key for happiness and often productivity. How to keep stress under control? We’ve learned a thing or two over the years.

So how to limit stress and manage it well if it arrives? Read on to find out how to both limit it and mitigate it if it does occur.

Know your limits. Don’t take on more than you can comfortably do and practice saying "no" to excessive or demanding activities.
Take control of your environment. Commute driving you nuts? Ask your boss about shifting your schedule to better flow with traffic. Think about the things that you can change to lessen stress.
Google “time management” and take notes. People who are stretched too thin are grumpy and unpleasant, generally speaking. So start distinguishing between your "shoulds" and your "musts" and drop tasks that aren't necessary. Plan ahead and make a real effort not to overextend yourself.
Learn the art of compromise. Would you rather be right or would you rather be happy? Seriously. Finding common ground can make everyone more pleasant and less stressed.
Express your feelings. If something is bothering you, communicate it in a calm, thoughtful way. Bottled-up feelings are the primary ingredients of resentments and when’s the last time you saw a resentful person who was not stressed out?
Don't try to control the uncontrollable. You can’t control other people, places and things most of the time, so give up trying and accept life on life’s terms.
Look for the upside. Abraham Lincoln said that most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be and we think he was onto something there.
Learn to forgive. You’ll find the corners of your mouth turning up more when your heart is lighter.

Even if you practice all eight of the above suggestions, you’re still human and you’re probably going to experience stress. So here are some ways to relax during the storm.

Take a deep breath and take a stroll. Studies show that taking just a five-minute break in a stressful situation can noticeably diminish stress.
Exercise consistently. Exercising helps to release energy in your body and increase good brain chemicals.
Listen to music. Find a type that you enjoy and take time to enjoy it.
Do something you enjoy EVERY DAY, even if it is for 10 minutes. If you’re not sure what sounds like fun, brainstorm. Make a list and check off items as you try them. You might find new passions this way.
Call a good friend. Connecting intimately with another people has an immediate, calming effect.
Get a massage. Many stores have chair massage therapists, so even on a busy day, you can relax for five minutes.

When all else fails, stop what you’re doing, close your eyes and just be present in the moment. As Lily Tomlin said, “For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.” That’s stress-relieving advice we can all use.

Turn Yourself Into a Powerhouse Consultant

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:15:01 GMT

A good consultant is a person of many skills: Trouble shooting; creating mock surveys and plans of correction; implementing systems; hiring, firing and managing staff; and the auditing of charts, to name a few.

But who wants to just be good when great is an option? Follow these four tips to turn yourself into a powerhouse consultant.

Be thick-skinned

It can be tough to work in buildings with challenged staff and systems that need work. If you take problems personally, you’re headed for a headache. Maintain good boundaries, do your best work and don’t take problems home with you.

Ignore the “noise”

Long-term care politics can drain even the toughest leadership/consultant. Stay focused on the task at hand. You are there to do your best work—don’t let the side “noise” be a distraction.

While it is important to create relationships in your new work environment, don’t let yourself be drawn into politics and side-taking. Stay neutral and you’ll be on safer ground.

Know a company's computer system

Technological skills are in high demand. When you understand your company’s computer system, you become an invaluable interim consultant to that company, especially in short-notice circumstances requiring coverage.

Adapt to the new culture quickly

You’re in California one month, southern Alabama the next. Adjusting to the different types of people is key to overcoming culture shock and successfully adjusting to a new environment. Pay attention to traditions and ways of doing business and try to go with the flow. Most of all, be sensitive to the fact that you are in a different culture and your way of doing things may not be theirs. Be ready to be flexible and patient.

With these tips in mind, you can turn yourself into a true powerhouse consultant.

National Physical Therapy Month

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 12:18:41 GMT

One of the important aspects of healing from certain injuries is regaining mobility. The ability to stay physically active and independent is crucial for other areas of health, like mental and spiritual health. Physical therapists are key players in this issue because they are experts in restoring and improving motion. This means PTs can improve quality of life by helping people of all ages stay healthy and fit.

October is National Physical Therapy Month, a time when we at 360 Healthcare Staffing celebrate the myriad contributions these professionals make to active, healthy aging. Our PT and PT assistants improve quality of life and help our clients continue to enjoy doing their favorite things. Whatever part of your body is hurting – shoulder, neck, leg, back – PTs are well known for helping patients improve their quality of life.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, physical therapists:

Significantly improve mobility to perform daily activities;
Provide an alternative to painful and expensive surgery, in many cases;
Manage or eliminate pain without medication and its side effects, in many cases.

Your physical therapist can help with:

Arthritis
Joint and back pain
Fitness
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Overuse injuries
Stroke
Sprains, strains and fractures
And much more

Improve Balance and Prevent Falls
For people over 65, falls are particularly dangerous and prevalent. Falls can severely diminish a person’s ability to enjoy an active and independent life. This year alone, one in three people over 65 will fall at least once and that number is one in two for people over 80, according to the National Aging Council. These falls can have catastrophic consequences.

A PT or PT assistant can not only help with recovery from a fall, but can actually help with prevention of the falls themselves with an individualized program of exercises and activities that emphasize strength, flexibility and proper gait. PTs can also help improve balance with these exercises.

Recover From Stroke
Stroke is a devastating life event that is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a primary cause of disability. A PT can help a stroke patient regain physical function and learn coping mechanisms for dealing with any physical losses, like movement limitations. Many people are even able to regain the ability to walk with treadmill training with the use of body-weight support and a PT’s exercise/rehab plan.

Live With Diabetes
Almost 24 million American adults and kids have diabetes, and a PT or PT assistant can help you devise a plan to both control your blood glucose and fight the all-too-often complication of loss of movement. This means an individualized plan of action that addresses the whole person.

Learn more
Get in-the-know this month at www.moveforwardpt.com, run by the APTA. There are lots of videos, articles and tools to help you keep mobile, healthy and fit and learn about the vital role that physical therapists play in overall health and quality of life.

Travelers, stay connected with social media

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:04:48 GMT

As a traveling therapist or nurse, staying connected with family and friends is a priority. Many of our 360 employees either aren’t using social media or don’t use it regularly. There are thousands of social media sites available to you, but one that we want to focus on is Facebook, where there are 800 million active users and you’re likely to find lots of your “real-life” connections online. With this tool, you can share your adventures with people back at home and stay in touch with others while you travel the U.S.

Facebook is your friend

Among people who don’t use Facebook or use it rarely, what we most hear is a general fear and discomfort. Folks are intimidated by it and don’t know where to begin and they have concerns about privacy.

There’s nothing to fear! Facebook recently released a redesign and it’s quite easy to use. Start at the Help Center for Facebook basics. In this section, you’ll learn everything from uploading a profile picture to editing your privacy settings. Privacy is yours to control—by clicking on arrow on the upper right-hand of the page, then Privacy Settings, you can limit who can and can’t see each part of your profile.

Facebook is not just for teenagers—there a combined 28 million people over the age of 45 active on Facebook. There’s a niche for everyone and your friends and family will value your updates.

Get the most out of Facebook

Send an a-mail to your friends and family with a link to your profile. Ask them to friend you.
Search for friends on Facebook and add.
Use a current profile picture.
Make sure to use the privacy settings.
It’s OK to decline friend requests.
Write on your friends' "Walls."
Update your status regularly. At least three times a week, write something new. Examples: observations about a city, a new culture, food, neighborhoods, weather differences, social activities, etc.
Post photos from your after-work adventures and “tag” people who appear with you (make sure you have their permission).
Download the Facebook app on your smartphone and update on the fly.

There’s no reason to be intimidated by social media—it’s a wonderful tool for staying in touch while you are a traveler with 360 Healthcare. And friend us on Facebook and post updates from your travels there!

Housing Made Simple for 360 Travelers

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:02:30 GMT

As every traveling healthcare worker knows, one of the first things you’ve got to do is find a place to live. For some travelers, the process can be exciting as well as frustrating because there are so many choices to make. But 360 Healthcare Staffing makes the process painless and even fun.

We basically have two housing processes. One is geared toward therapy travelers on 13-week assignment and the other is for nursing travelers on five-week assignment. Both of them start with a conversation identifying the needs and wants of the traveler and then proceed from there. You name your priorities and we customize. All housing is turnkey ready.

For the 13-week assignments, travelers will likely be in a one-bedroom furnished apartment or studio that is appointed down to the linens. All utilities are included. Depending on the market, this could also be a vacation rental, like in Florida, or corporate housing. Many locations include amenities, like fitness centers, tennis courts and a pool.

For our travelers on five-week assignments, an extended-stay type hotel fits the bill. Some folks want cooking facilities in their unit, some don't—maybe you’d rather be in a place that has a microwave and free continental breakfast every day. We’re often able to accommodate your needs and wants.

Because we do this for so many people, we are often able to negotiate a better rate and travelers are often surprised by the quality of their housing. And since it’s all about location, location, location, we’re careful to choose housing that’s the best mix of neighborhood and proximity to your assignment.

This is an exciting time for you as you begin the adventure of a new assignment. Enjoy yourself and let us know how you make the big housing decisions.