What is a travel physical therapist?

A travel physical therapist is a licensed physical therapist who travels to different locations to provide care. They usually work on short-term assignments ranging from a few weeks to several months at hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare facilities. Travel physical therapists occupy this role to meet temporary staffing needs which can be due to seasonal population increases, staff shortages, or to cover for employees on leave.

The primary benefit for many who choose this career path is the opportunity to explore different parts of the country, or even internationally, while gaining diverse clinical experience in various healthcare settings. They often receive higher pay than permanently stationed physical therapists due to the travel component and short-term nature of the assignments. Additional benefits can include housing stipends, travel reimbursement, and bonuses. Brad Barrett explores various aspects of flexible and mobile careers, including the advantages of diversifying experiences and increasing earnings potential, though he does not specifically mention travel physical therapists in the provided data.