Travel Therapist ???

Mike in San Francisco, California said: the most important thing seems to be experience from what i have found out

I would agree experience is the most important. I would add that NICU/PICU experience is highly desirable. As long as the NICU/PICU experience is recent. I have seen travel jobs in where the NICU/PICU experience had to be within the past three years. Basically, they were looking for someone that had not lost their skills.
Also make sure you have your RRT. Sounds like a no brainer, but you see people trying to travel with just a CRT.
Also, make sure you have all your certifications in order. BLS,ACLS,PALS, and NRP. I would get them all, even if you plan on just doing adults. I say this because if you get a travel assignment to a smaller hospital that runs maybe only one or two therapist per shift they have a tendency to want all these certifications. You never know what you will get rolling through the ER doors in these smaller hospitals. The bigger mega hospitals that run alot of therapist per shift usually don't require all four of the certifications. BLS and a combination of the others.

trapmama in Hood River, Oregon said: I am hoping for some information on becoming a traveling respiratory therapist in the future. Can anyone tell me if you have to have your bachelors degree, or can this be done with just your associates? Any other information would be wonderful. Thanks!

No hospital or Travel company cares if you have a BS or AAS in Respiratory, the only need is like KB said BCLS,ACLS ,NRP and or Pals or both. Most hospitals want a relief to do mainly adult care including ICU and higher( CVICU,SICU,MICU) but knowing several vents is major plus for adult. There are some needs but not alot but when they come up is the need for NICU RT so having 6mo or more helps when it comes up. But like any hospital they wont just let you go solo in there NICU as we all know how territorial they can be and you being an outsider. But mainly the needs that I have seen and know of have been for general floors, adult to peds and knowing there vents, charting systems (Meditech,Epic etc) get you picked over most that dont. It use to be Hawaii had the occasionl need with a NICU background but now they have licensure and not a cheap one at that, so the needs will most likely fade for its to costly for most of us to get and the pay is poor. ** But overall experience as a traveler is what they want some will except 1yr travel to most now want 3yrs travel, since like I have stated this before and comes from experience as a traveler. Knowing and having the abilty to jump in with little to no orientation is what the staff you will be working with wants, they truthfully do not have the time or patience for someone that is not extroverted and can decide and learn quickly ** Every place is different from location to weather to population and adapting to change is also key...

Thanks for the information. You mentioned most places want you to have a year of traveling experience- how do you get the experience for traveling then? Or did you mean 1 year of experience as a RT in order to do traveling?

trapmama in Hood River, Oregon said: Thanks for the information. You mentioned most places want you to have a year of traveling experience- how do you get the experience for traveling then? Or did you mean 1 year of experience as a RT in order to do traveling?

Most companies but some may... take a new person to travel. No matter the years of experience you may have as an RT, its the years as a travel RT that they want you to have 1 - 3yrs. Its simply due to being strong enough to be on your own/ handle ICU, SICU or higher on your own.Getting experience in travel is up to each company willig to except you as a new person to travel.I got my first travel by chance but also that I have worked at that time as a solo RT in small hospital but travel needs have severly changed in that past years and hard to predict what the next year or 2 holds.

respiratorytim in Avondale, Arizona said: I live in AZ and I've been out of work for nine months now. I have a year of experience. I have applied for EVERY respiratory job that has been posted since then and I only got one interview just a couple of weeks ago at Phoenix Childrens and then they never called me back. In my opinion this a horrible field to get into. It might be a great job to have but you have to have a job first to call it great. I've got the shotgun in my mouth and im ready to pull the trigger...figuratively of course!

I believe you identified your main problem from the start - "I live in AZ" - just my humble EX-Arizonan opinion.

Ernest cruz in Houston, Texas said: Why do you think things will be better if Obammacare is shot down? Don't think more people being insured would translate into more staff needed to take care of these people? Thats the financial side of it. What about the human side to it? Don't you believe that everybody should have access to healthcare just like me and yourself? I don't understand your statement about Obammacare being shot down. Can you explain why you think that would be better? To leave 43,000,000 people out in the cold with no coverage? You care about people? Are you getting into healthcare to help people or are just believing all the special interest groups that stand to lose millions if obammacare sees the light of day? I hope you're never stuck with a chronic condition and with no insurance. Good luck. You won't be able to get help anywhere. Can't go to ER as if you're having a heart attack or something because your chronic conditon isn't urgent. Isn't going to kill you today so they will send you home. Millions of people live with that in this so called best place to live in the world. But please explain your position Mike. Oh and please don't use the old tired argument that it will break the nation. Our overly expensive and getting more expensive healthcare is breaking our nation. So please think for yourself and not repeat what you hear. Tell me what you think from your heart and then maybe people such as Chris and cbsboaz wouldn't be so angry with you. More to the point, perhaps their comments shouldn't have been deleted either because everybody here should have a voice and that voice shouldn't be distorted through yours or anybody elses interpretations. But then again I guess people feel threatened when there is money to be lost. I myself believe in making money but not at the expense of a human life or suffering. Sorry but that's just how I feel.

Thanks Ernest - I agree with you 1000%

lolo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania said: Get out of Phoenix there are probably 200-300 newgrads all fighting for one spot that randomly opens JCL just let 10 therapists go now you have those 10 people looking in Phoenix now and they all have experience, if you want to be an RRT move out of AZ

I applied for a job at a temp agency in AZ - they got back with me and said "whatever you do - DON'T come out here" - never had an agency tell me that before.

Hi, I'm a CRT/RRT eligible with 10 years experience. I'm considering taking the plunge into the travel RT world. Our dream is to travel to the warmer states in the winter and come back north in the winter. I'm wondering if I should try to get on with a travel company or would I be better off applying for PRN positions. We would be traveling and living out of our RV (semi-retirement). Any advise??

Just wondering if anyone knows any recruiters that hire Canadian respiratory therapists for permanent work.

Should also mention that I have 1 Yr work experience and would really prefer Orlando Florida area. Since I have kids really need something permanent.

TLee in Duluth, Minnesota said: Hi, I'm a CRT/RRT eligible with 10 years experience. I'm considering taking the plunge into the travel RT world. Our dream is to travel to the warmer states in the winter and come back north in the winter. I'm wondering if I should try to get on with a travel company or would I be better off applying for PRN positions. We would be traveling and living out of our RV (semi-retirement). Any advise??

This again goes out to all interested in Travel. No agency will hire any RT without having 1 yr and now most require you have 3yrs travel experience.No matter how long you have been an RT or what experiences you may have. Also there is NO guarantee that you will the "dream" job in FL or Hawaii. The way travel work is where the needs are not warm states in winter and vice versa for summer. As RT's we all know that the colder states get and have the highest need and so forth. Fl, GA, MS,TX have had no travel needs and Tx has has had some, but Hi will most likely see a drop in needs for travel as they have gone to licensure and its 500+. The agencies want a seasoned traveler this comes from the Hospital wanting a traveler that knows how to work alone, knows multiple vents, abg machines, can handle high risk c-sections and neonates all in one. The RTs on staff will only show you around and your on your own for 13weeks, if you in a bigger facilty(but most time you will be in a smaller 25 bed or less) you have someone to ask or fall back on for help but after doing this for 4yrs now and working 25 to 450 bed hospitals they want an traveler they do not have to shadow or constantly show how to do things, also having EMR training (meditech,epic) is major plus. Remember also each state requires a license except Alaska and an agency/hospital will not wait for you to get in as so many take 4wk to months to get depending on documents that they need.

anita in Orlando, Florida said: I wouldn mind relocating, but I need a job b4 I make the relocation!! Is really frustratin...if I don't get hired, I will never get the experience they ask for!

Anita do u live in Orlando ?? N were u able to find a job by now ?

To Lisa in Tallahassee...no, been a year and have not found a job .

Anita in Orlando, Florida said: To Lisa in Tallahassee...no, been a year and have not found a job .

Don't feel bad about not finding a job after a year. It's been about 2 and half years for me after graduating in 2009 and still no job. I live in a state where students are cheap labor. Yes they still allow students to work as therapists in this state. The only job I've been able to find has been as a receptionist in a nursing home where I watch ignorant LPN's give breathing treatments without checking heart rate, SpO2, or breathe sounds pre or post treatment. Which basically says they have no idea as to why they're giving the treatment. It might as well be something they're doing just to bill for something. Because without the clinical evidence in the medical chart it's what it looks like on paper. One night I had to pull a patient off a breathing treatment because a nurse literally refused to do it after the patient had been on it for 30 minutes. She wanted to delegate that responsibility to a CNA. Which by law she isn't allowed to do. From what I've seen of nurses in nursing homes it seems they'll let anything slide as long as the patient doesn't end up dead.

WOW!!!!!! For some reason it doesn surprise me. The majority of LPN's workin in nursing homes have no clue what they're doing. I think that's the case in every facility. Its so sad and scary at the same time. They always wanna blame the CNA just to cover vtheir behind. I know this cause I was a CNA. I called 30 nursing homes one day and didn't get anything. Been gettin rejected everywhere I apply. And the messed up part about all this is, is that I work in a freakin hosp for 10 years now. Same freakin company, and all my transfers r somehow rejected, or I never hear from them. I gave up lookin for a job. I'm takin my RRT next week and when I pass it, ill start all over again. Apparently, facilities want RRT, and not CRT's. To me is the same thing. The only dif is that u have to pay $400 to change title.

Anita in Orlando, Florida said: WOW!!!!!! For some reason it doesn surprise me. The majority of LPN's workin in nursing homes have no clue what they're doing. I think that's the case in every facility. Its so sad and scary at the same time. They always wanna blame the CNA just to cover vtheir behind. I know this cause I was a CNA. I called 30 nursing homes one day and didn't get anything. Been gettin rejected everywhere I apply. And the messed up part about all this is, is that I work in a freakin hosp for 10 years now. Same freakin company, and all my transfers r somehow rejected, or I never hear from them. I gave up lookin for a job. I'm takin my RRT next week and when I pass it, ill start all over again. Apparently, facilities want RRT, and not CRT's. To me is the same thing. The only dif is that u have to pay $400 to change title.

I really feel for all the new grads and one's that have been out there looking for work, but blame should be pointed at the schools that pump out so many RT's that there is NO shortage,contrary to what everone believes. Nursing schools have a strong board but not RTs , we have the micky mouse AARC who fills everyones head with un-truths that they support each and everyone of us, but I know for fact after being a traveling RT now for 4yrs and yes I have met alot of RTs in those yrs that they no longer support the boards and to believe there is No difference between a CRT and RRT and NO a RRT letter makes you more professional neither does a BS. Do you really care if the Nurse your working next to has a BSN, to me No. I only care about her/his skill and competance with what is the most important the pt care.Alot will disagree perhaps but I have met more Nurse's and RTs in my yrs so I can stand for what I say.Also I have had plenty of RRT tell me they would rather have a CRT work on them vs a RRT,just truth in fact. But yes I do have AAS not a one year degree and they all assume with my CRT I have a one year degree>>

Cont from above;;
All this comes from the money grubbing NBRC and the states that want only RRTs and hospital HR's that have drank the same koolaid and believe that a CRT is worthless. They need to realize that there are alot of out of work or not even found work RTs out there and give them the oppotunity to get on board with a local hospital. The other problem comes from state boards that require all RTs to have a license to practice in each state, whick makes it hard for anyone to move to find work as I have found over the years as a traveling RT. So some blame is with each state board as licensure is just a money maker to help there budgets I as Cali and Wa state and assume others as there fees have risen over the years and know HI has a pricey license. We need a comapct like nursing so we can do our job and move if we want without all the red tape.

Anyone on this forum had been working for MaximHealth? I am thinking about joining them.

Does anyone on this forum know about MaximHealth? I am considering join them to work in CA. Thanks

kyjelled said: I had looked into club staffing and they told me all kinds of things that made me jump for joy, but everything was fine until they contacted my current manager for whom I still worked for. The next day I got a call saying they couldn't work with my references and good luck in my endevers. When I called back to see what happened ( my bosses said they gave me great above average reference), they never called me and ignored my phone calls. Til this day I have no clue what happened. If any body might have a clue, please reply.

I know I'm responding to an old post, but I'm having a problem with references. I just got an offer, interviewed, etc. the manager was super nice and put the offer out to Club Staffing (one of the companies I'm working with). First they told me they needed references before they could submit me anywhere, so I gave them the names of two people. I am a cath lab nurse, but the last cath lab I worked in full time was 5 years ago. Since then I've been doing private duty, IV infusion therapy and taking care of very sick patients (ok, so it was in the home). My manager from the cath lab gave other travel companies a reference, but Club Staffing claims that JCAHO needs references within the past two years!! I had a friend who is a Supervisor at a large teaching hospital in Manhattan and who I worked with years ago. She gave me an excellent reference. Then she calls me back and says that the Club Staffing contacted the private agency I was working for and they told her that they never heard of her. I've been worried all weekend that come Monday morning they're going to call me a liar. Wouldn't they want a reference from someone who managed me in the cath lab? Ever since JCAHO started invading the travel industry, it's gone down hill (including the pay). This is a great opportunity and the manager wants to hire me. Doesn't that say enough? Any advice or help would be appreciated. I can't afford to lose this job.

John in Sacramento, California said: Anyone know what the pay is around in San Francisco? I have a friend who is traveling and was offered $26 in Stanford, CA. It seemed like she was being low balled. I am also looking into being a RT too.

Thank you

That is crazy!!!For california...I'm a new grad and was offered $26 to start in chicago.

Tasha in Calumet City, Illinois said: That is crazy!!!For california...I'm a new grad and was offered $26 to start in chicago.

To the quote of thats crazy..26 for travel is good expecially in todays economy. For the fact if that is real travel not agency pay, alot out there do not know the difference between the two. Travel means you go state to state or within your own state but has to 150 miles outside your home location, also 26$ and if travel will be per diem pay that ranges from x amt a day, plus other perks which is better than all you make because housing is paid for or you take a nice stipend. Now 26$ hr for per pay in cali I assume is bad and probably is since I do not live there but I do pay rates for true travel. I make anywhere from 30 -40 hr with housing so I will always come out on top versus fulltime pay and no bills to pay for housing..

I was wondering if anyone knew how the job market was in or around Chicago??

hi susan your very helpful! i wonder if you can answer a few more questions..what if you travel with a fifth wheel, how do they compensate for that? how do you get licensed in other states? can you request a specialty? IE: adult critical care , because where i currently work they we abused travelers greatly, worst assgn, floor therapy or pedi! How do you determine how much tax free money? How do you recieve mail when your traveling? thanks!

I am seeking information on travel work. I only have a license in one state, do I need to acquire another state license or can I do that later? What are some states that need respiratory therapist? The job market where I work has a bad outlook I have been seeking work for a year now, I have 5+ years experience.

Thinking of traveling got some questions. If they provide housing would i be taxed at the end of the year on the value of the housing they pay?

jencrt in Enterprise, Alabama said: Thinking of traveling got some questions. If they provide housing would i be taxed at the end of the year on the value of the housing they pay?

There is no tax on any travel assignment except the pay you make. The tax subsidies come from the IRS as to what each company is allowed and how much they pay for housing, a cap. Every time you go on an assignment housing is figured into your pay ,the hospital pays the company ie: 120 hr then your pay after for housing,electricity etc is what you make..its state to state and company to company as far your pay..usually 20+ an hr and then per-diem pay. The only time your taxed is when you take a living stipend which is higher..
But anyone considering travel in this time of the year would be very hard and no travel experience will hinder you. Most only take a seasoned or one year travel experience, your work experience is also a factor but does not apply to travel that you may need, its due to many places you go needing a therapist that can hit the floor running with little or no orientation.

I am RRT with ICU/CCU/ED back ground over 20 years still unable to find job because my lack of experience in NICU and PICU. New grad today have much better chance than me because the pay rate is much cheaper and company can train you the way they wanted to. There are trend that they are trying to get the long time RT with less skills out of the job as well to save the company money.

Thanks mark I am actually just thinking ahead my last kid graduates in 3 years and I was thinking of hitting the road. Have done this for 10 years worked alone at times for a while I was only thearpist. On nights and we have no nicu. So we keep them going till a bigger hospital. Can come get them.

jencrt in Enterprise, Alabama said: Thanks mark I am actually just thinking ahead my last kid graduates in 3 years and I was thinking of hitting the road. Have done this for 10 years worked alone at times for a while I was only thearpist. On nights and we have no nicu. So we keep them going till a bigger hospital. Can come get them.

I know from experience expecially these days also with no NICU ,will be a hard thing too not to have. I was in your situation from 01 to 07 when I quit the 60bed hospital with no NICU but I did all high-risk c-sections, so when I started travel in late 07 that was when there was alot of needs for ICU RTs but now days with the demand down for travel snd costs for traveler NICU needs are higher.
So now I ended the travel game as its very stressful at times and the need for RRT only too. I made a good living out of it till this year as I have decided to retire and move on to a better career in Public health. Which inturn I will be a boss not just a worker bee. So if your a CRT as I see by your name and want to stay in the field,RRT is the way now.sad but true.

Ora in Sylmar, California said: I am RRT with ICU/CCU/ED back ground over 20 years still unable to find job because my lack of experience in NICU and PICU. New grad today have much better chance than me because the pay rate is much cheaper and company can train you the way they wanted to. There are trend that they are trying to get the long time RT with less skills out of the job as well to save the company money.

Actaully new grads have a harder time getting hired as they and this comes from many Managers and Supervisors as they are a liabilty as far as cost to train etc..just from what I have seen in travlel. Older more expereinced RTs are in more of need as they have skill and years behind them and well mature and bring more to the table as the newer ones have no clue in skill, maturity and abilty to interact with Drs and Nurse's this is has been told to by many as they appreciate a mature RT..sorry to all newer grads but truth is truth.

So if you can be open to NICU/PICU training take it,but I never found it hard to get a job as there are many who want adult only and those who want babys and peds. And you have your RRT which will help ,just may have to get out of cali..licensure is the only drawback to each state but may be worth it ..look at other states in there need.

Mark RCP in Texas said: Actaully new grads have a harder time getting hired as they and this comes from many Managers and Supervisors as they are a liabilty as far as cost to train etc..just from what I have seen in travlel. Older more expereinced RTs are in more of need as they have skill and years behind them and well mature and bring more to the table as the newer ones have no clue in skill, maturity and abilty to interact with Drs and Nurse's this is has been told to by many as they appreciate a mature RT..sorry to all newer grads but truth is truth.

So if you can be open to NICU/PICU training take it,but I never found it hard to get a job as there are many who want adult only and those who want babys and peds. And you have your RRT which will help ,just may have to get out of cali..licensure is the only drawback to each state but may be worth it ..look at other states in there need.

Thank you Mark! I am planing to do so because I still love being RCP but the market is saturated with new grads as well. Even with lots of good connections, I still having a hard time finding a job. I did venture out to neigboring state but have to come back to CA because my kids are here. One more year before she is done with highschool.

Anita in Orlando, Florida said: WOW!!!!!! For some reason it doesn surprise me. The majority of LPN's workin in nursing homes have no clue what they're doing. I think that's the case in every facility. Its so sad and scary at the same time. They always wanna blame the CNA just to cover vtheir behind. I know this cause I was a CNA. I called 30 nursing homes one day and didn't get anything. Been gettin rejected everywhere I apply. And the messed up part about all this is, is that I work in a freakin hosp for 10 years now. Same freakin company, and all my transfers r somehow rejected, or I never hear from them. I gave up lookin for a job. I'm takin my RRT next week and when I pass it, ill start all over again. Apparently, facilities want RRT, and not CRT's. To me is the same thing. The only dif is that u have to pay $400 to change title.

NO A CRT AND AN RRT ARE NOT THE SAME THING. THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH OUR PROFESSION. IT IS A MATTER OF EDUCATION. THAT IS LIKE SAYING AN LPN AND AN RN ARE THE SAME. OBVIOUSLY YOU LACK EDUCATION!!!!!

DIANE in Akron, Ohio said: NO A CRT AND AN RRT ARE NOT THE SAME THING. THAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH OUR PROFESSION. IT IS A MATTER OF EDUCATION. THAT IS LIKE SAYING AN LPN AND AN RN ARE THE SAME. OBVIOUSLY YOU LACK EDUCATION!!!!!

what can an RRT do that a CRT cannot?????

michele in Henderson, Nevada said: what can an RRT do that a CRT cannot?????

an RN and lpn have 2 totally differnt scopes of practice. What is the difference other than education between the RRT and the CRT?

Ernest cruz in Houston, Texas said: Why do you think things will be better if Obammacare is shot down? Don't think more people being insured would translate into more staff needed to take care of these people? Thats the financial side of it. What about the human side to it? Don't you believe that everybody should have access to healthcare just like me and yourself? I don't understand your statement about Obammacare being shot down. Can you explain why you think that would be better? To leave 43,000,000 people out in the cold with no coverage? You care about people? Are you getting into healthcare to help people or are just believing all the special interest groups that stand to lose millions if obammacare sees the light of day? I hope you're never stuck with a chronic condition and with no insurance . Good luck. You won't be able to get help anywhere. Can't go to ER as if you're having a heart attack or something because your chronic conditon isn't urgent. Isn't going to kill you today so they will send you home. Millions of people live with that in this so called best place to live in the world. But please explain your position Mike. Oh and please don't use the old tired argument that it will break the nation. Our overly expensive and getting more expensive healthcare is breaking our nation. So please think for yourself and not repeat what you hear. Tell me what you think from your heart and then maybe people such as Chris and cbsboaz wouldn't be so angry with you. More to the point, perhaps their comments shouldn't have been deleted either because everybody here should have a voice and that voice shouldn't be distorted through yours or anybody elses interpretations. But then again I guess people feel threatened when there is money to be lost. I myself believe in making money but not at the expense of a human life or suffering. Sorry but that's just how I feel.

I AGREE! HEALTHCARE FOR ALL! GO OBAMACARE!

OraP in Clackamas, Oregon said: Does anyone on this forum know about MaximHealth? I am considering join them to work in CA. Thanks

LOVE MAXIM

Anita in Orlando, Florida said: WOW!!!!!! For some reason it doesn surprise me. The majority of LPN's workin in nursing homes have no clue what they're doing. I think that's the case in every facility. Its so sad and scary at the same time. They always wanna blame the CNA just to cover vtheir behind. I know this cause I was a CNA. I called 30 nursing homes one day and didn't get anything. Been gettin rejected everywhere I apply. And the messed up part about all this is, is that I work in a freakin hosp for 10 years now. Same freakin company, and all my transfers r somehow rejected, or I never hear from them. I gave up lookin for a job. I'm takin my RRT next week and when I pass it, ill start all over again. Apparently, facilities want RRT, and not CRT's. To me is the same thing. The only dif is that u have to pay $400 to change title.

NO A CRT AND AN RRT ARE NOT THE SAME. IT IS A MATTER OF EDUCATION. IS AN LPN THE SAME AS AN RN? I THOUGHT YOU WERE EDUCATED.

RRT and CRT r exactly the same thing. Is the same 2 year program anywhere in the world. From CRT to RRT is just a test that is similar to the CRT one. The only difference is that costs $400. ONLY DIFFERENCE! RN and LPN is completetly different. RN is WAY more intense and more school years. These days you can be an lPN in 9 months, which is ridiculous and scary.

I have been a cry for 10 years I had to small children and never took my test I did ketttering seminars for my RRT then never took the test but there are a lot of RRT that I have came across that scare me. But I know gets that can run circle around try. Just saying.

What did you try to say??? You make no sense.

Anita in Winter Springs, Florida said: What did you try to say??? You make no sense.

Anita, can you imagine the charting ????