Travel Occupational Therapist Jobs

Demand is consistently high and always growing for occupational therapists, which means there are many high-paying travel occupational therapy jobs in exciting locations nationwide. In fact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OT employment is projected to grow 17% between 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average for most occupations. If you’re an occupational therapist or interested in becoming one, read on to learn more about this exciting field.

Working as a travel occupational therapist is a great way for you to avoid the burnout suffered by so many healthcare professionals. It allows you to regularly start anew in ever-changing locations and facilities which can help keep you refreshed and motivated to help your patients at the best possible level. Traveling as an occupational therapist is also a great way for you to sharpen your skills, continue to gain experience, and build an excellent resume — while earning great compensation to boot.

When you travel with Medical Solutions, you’ll earn great compensation, have plenty of travel OT jobs to take your pick from, and enjoy great benefits. Our traveler benefits include day-one medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) with company match; safe, pet-friendly housing; license and certification reimbursements; unlimited $600 loyalty and referral bonuses; and a free employee assistance program. Plus, your own dedicated recruiter.

Occupational therapists help patients improve and develop the skills they need for successful daily life. Patients may require an OT due to a host of injuries, illnesses, disabilities, and other such issues or conditions. OTs step in to observe and evaluate, then create a treatment plan using everyday activities and other capacity builders. Treatment can differ vastly depending upon each patient’s needs. OTs must also be keen observers who maintain valuable records to record progress and update the treatment plan when necessary.

To be successful working in occupational therapy you must be strategic, organized, compassionate, and a patient problem-solver who is good at carefully assessing patients over time. You should also be open to working various hours and in various settings. OTs have to spend a lot of time listening, downloading, and communicating back to their patients and other stakeholders, so it’s also essential that they’re A+ communicators.

Who Works in Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapists may work in a variety of specialized areas including mental health, gerontology, pediatrics, school systems, physical rehabilitation, environmental modification, low vision, assistive technologies, autism, brain injuries, stroke rehab, diabetes, assistive technology, mobility, hand therapy, lymphedema, seating and mobility, feeding/eating/swallowing, and more.

Occupational therapists will often collaborate with a wide range of additional healthcare providers to provide comprehensive patient care. People who work in collaborative roles with OTs can include doctors, registered nurses, OT assistants and aides, social workers, mental health practitioners, rehab counselors, surgeons, home health aides, geriatricians, specialists, and others.

Occupational therapists can work in a variety of environments including hospitals, private practice, rehabilitation centers, medical clinics, schools, nursing homes, home health, academia, and more.

Who is Treated in Occupational Therapy?

A diverse range of patients and a variety of health concerns are treated by occupational therapy professionals, but the common denominator is that their patients experience a need to build or rebuild the abilities that will allow them to get through daily life and be able to perform necessary everyday tasks. Patients can be facing a variety of issues ranging from mental to physical, developmental to emotional, or a combination of such issues. Occupational therapy patients cover a wide range of ages and demographics.  

Quick Occupational Therapy Facts

• Commonly required occupational therapy education: Bachelor’s degree and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) degree. Some programs offer a joint bachelor’s/master’s program that lets you obtain both degrees more quickly in a 4+2 or 4+1 format. OTs must pass the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam and become licensed in the state they wish to practice in.
• Commonly required travel occupational therapy certifications: Basic Life Support (BLS), National Provider Identifier (NPI)
• Commonly required experience to become a travel occupational therapist: Facilities may require a minimum of one to two years of recent experience in order to hire you for a travel assignment. You’ll want the benefit of experience since travel occupational therapists have to hit the ground running!
• Average annual occupational therapist salary according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: $89,470
• Locations where occupational therapists are in high demand: Demand for occupational therapists is growing nationwide! Demand is particularly high and growing in Nevada, California, New Jersey, Arizona, Oregon, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., and such demand is typically reflected with higher average OT salaries.