A Year in Review

Wow! Roughly, 1 year ago I began my journey as a traveling occupational therapist. It was uncharted territory for me. Small town girl, who had rarely left the state of West Virginia for any other purpose than a quiet family vacation to Myrtle Beach. Home was always 2 hours away in college and a place I could visit anytime I wanted. I visited family a minimum of 1 time per month, so moving further away from home was a game changer that brought on a whole laundry list of emotions!

Throughout the last year I have learned so much about the travel industry, about my profession as an OT, and ultimately I have learned a lot about myself as well. To put it simply, I started travel as an extreme type A personality. There must be a plan, everyone must be on time, there must be organization, and I had to over analyze every single move I made prior to making a decision (complete with options A, B, C, & D!!). There were a lot of what if's, but's, and what could be's in my vocabulary and very few just let it happen's! & let me tell you, if anything has changed it is that. I have FINALLY allowed myself to relax, I have become open to different possibilities including location, job, responsibilities, and most importantly more accepting of the world around me. I have a new perspective on life, with increased appreciation for the small things, for allowing things to happen as they are supposed to instead of the constant need to control every outcome. Now granted, I still make plans with multiple possible outcomes, however I handle change and the unexpected a bit easier these days!

I started this amazing journey in Richmond, VA where I had the best job! I will not lie to you, I was confident the first day of work and certain I knew what I was doing. Nope! I quickly realized that I had absolutely no clue what my role was, how to do my job, etc. There was so much to learn! Thankfully, I was blessed with an amazing team surrounding me. A team that was incredibly helpful, willing to go the extra mile to mold me into the therapist I am today. I had a very diverse group of patients on my caseload with new challenges every week (something I love about the healthcare field). & just like most jobs I have had, I gained many friends that I will cherish forever. Could not thank them enough for their guidance, patience, and continued support. I will forever be grateful for the group of individuals who aided in making it such a wonderful experience.

Some of the influential women I worked with in RVA

My next position was in Virginia Beach. Though the facility I was placed in was not my favorite in the world, it was a very good learning experience. This is where I most definitely learned the importance of sticking to your own clinical judgement and advocating for your patients (A whole blog topic of its own!) This is also where I experienced my first panic when given a two week notice! (Which I coped with a tub of ice cream, a 6-pack of Blue Moon, and the relaxing sounds of the beach!)

Miss Natalie, a great friend and therapist I acquired while working in VB

As mentioned in an earlier post, Amy nailed a perfect position within two weeks in a little city called Poquoson. Quickly disappointed due to my new 50 minute commute to work, I could not have been more wrong about this one! What an absolutely rewarding experience. This job really reminded me of why we as healthcare professionals do what we do everyday. True definition of teamwork. One of the most caring groups of individuals you could find. We had fun, we got our work done, and most importantly we provided wonderful care to our residents. Because this was a small facility, it was a bit easier to provide a more personal kind of care to each one. There is just something about knowing everyone's name, being able to greet them in the morning, and really getting to know who they are, what they cherished, etc that will forever remain near and dear to me.

My partner in Crime in Poquoson; The Redheaded Dynamic OT Duo

Then, the good 'ol  country roads took me back to Almost Heaven, West Virginia! This move, was more about family than a career choice. However, this location was where I received my first experience with acquiring power wheelchairs for a few of my patients. A task given to me on week one, I could not even begin to explain the frustrations accompanied by this process and the mess of history/paperwork involved. I spent hours, upon hours, working on it. Hated every minute of it, until the delivery of one very necessary chair changed my life. This particular patient had needed a new chair for years as her current chair would not charge, was 14+ years old, and the cushions were ripped so terribly that she was having medical complications and pain just by sitting in it. The patient wanted nothing to do with me. "I will believe it when I see it, you're a liar!" When the chair was finally delivered (Surprisingly on my last day at the facility) I could not wait to get to her room! She screamed, she cried, and she drove that power chair around the facility like she owned the place. It was BEAUTIFUL!! Completely made the countless hours worth while. I hope she is still racing through the halls with a smile!

Hello to the Sunshine State! I began my first experience as a home health therapist. Initial impression: pure hatred. From uncomfortable houses, to patients having my personal number, late hours, people thinking they were the only human being on the planet, 911 calls... the list goes on. There were so many things that I did not like about it. More than anything, I think it was something that I just was not used to. One day I decided to change my attitude, to focus on the positives instead. I changed my routine, improved upon my time management, and have learned that it isn't all that bad! Thankful to learn a new setting, to work with a great group of people, and increase my skill set. I may have learned that home care is not my favorite setting, but the skills I have learned can definitely be taken throughout my career in other settings which is ultimately one of the main reasons I decided to travel!

All in all, I have been blessed beyond measure within the last year. 5 Jobs, 5 cities, 3 different settings. I could have never done it without the love, encouragement, and guidance I have received from the most amazing recruiter but more importantly, my very dear friend Amy Barnes.

I am incredibly grateful to call this beautiful lady a colleague, a mentor, but my  favorite role that she possesses is that of a friend! I absolutely,p positively could not be where I am today without her!

As I close this chapter in Florida with so many amazing memories and friends, I am excited to start yet another journey! Headed back to Virginia, and I cannot wait!!!

Keeping the Faith

If there is one thing I have learned throughout my experience with Advanced Medical, it is to have faith that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. The travel world can be very stressful at times. Because of the massive amount of flexibility in the profession (one of the many perks), it is accompanied by the fear of the unknown. Let me explain...

Within most contracts there is a two-weeks notice clause that allows you and the client (facility you are working for) to end the contract within two weeks. This is good for you, in the case that a jaw dropping opportunity becomes available you can give a two-weeks notice and take it! It is also of the facilities benefit. In a lot of cases, the facilities hire travelers as they attempt to find permanent employees. If they are successful in their search, they are able to give you a two weeks notice... which can definitely present with some (or a lot) of anxiety.. you now have 2 weeks to find a new gig! Now I know what you're thinking, ONLY TWO WEEKS?! Seems crazy, but two weeks in the travel world is probably equivalent to a month any other time.

I have been given a two-weeks notice twice since I began my traveling journey. Without a doubt it elicited some panic. I am probably best described as a type A personality, I like to be prepared, to plan, to plot. This personality characteristic in which control is at the center, has changed drastically in my time as a traveler.

The first time the two-weeks notice occurred, Amy called and said "I want you to sit down and take a deep breath!" Which now makes me laugh because she knew exactly how I was going to react. I was in a facility that was quite unethical, a job that I did not enjoy waking up in the morning for... but I had just signed a lease and moved to the area 3 days prior! Within 7-10 days, the AMPS team had a job lined up that was going to start immediately following my notice. Absolutely no space between the end of one, to the start of the other. This new opportunity required a drive, but it was an absolute AMAZING experience in a facility that I am thrilled to say I was once a part of! It was meant to be, it was supposed to happen this way! My new placement was in a much happier environment, filled with life changing experiences that made me a better therapist and human being.

The second time I encountered this two-weeks notice was for my most recent assignment. (This may be the craziest story yet!) I was legitimately exiting the state of WV on my way to Florida when I received the call from Amy regarding the client cancelling my contract. Without a doubt, the behind the scenes crew in the office had my back and was able to get me a 2 week paid vacation!!! (Totally awesome, right?) We began the search for a replacement job opportunity within the area and had a few options on the horizon. Just when something seemed promising, we were let down. Since Amy and I have developed such an awesome relationship with one another, I always ask her.. "Should I start to stress yet?"

By Thursday of the second week, we began to get a little stressed and started exploring additional options. We were looking at positions in Virginia, applying for jobs across the state of Florida...At this point we just wanted to get me working by Monday! With one high priority in mind, I have Garth Brooks tickets for his show in Tampa the first week of June... though it sounds like any other concert, this was non-negotiable as it is on my bucketlist! (haha, priorities.. Garth>job!) I had found an ad for a job at a hospital in Ormond Beach and sent it over to Amy to check it out. After some investigation into this position, the account manager came in contact with the individual who had originally offered me a position two weeks prior. & would you believe that she wanted to reinstate my contract because they had an influx of patients and wanted me to start Monday?! What are the stinkin' odds?!

So in the end, I came to Florida two weeks ago to do a job, who then cancelled on me and paid me for two weeks to tan on the beach, only to find that they still wanted me to work for them the following Monday!!

Without a doubt this job has allowed me to experience parts of the world that I wouldn't otherwise, increase my skill set in ways no permanent placement could, and has allowed me to develop incredible lifelong friendships in different parts of the country! But what I am most proud of, is how it has changed ME.

I have learned to be patient. I have learned to have faith that everything will work out the way it is supposed to. I have most definitely learned to be more easy going and a lot less uptight. I have become more trusting and less apprehensive. All with a little help from my friends at Advanced Medical !! I cannot brag enough about the company I work for. It is such a blessing to have a team that has your back, that works hard to ensure you have a job when you need one, and who you can honestly and truly call your friends!

So thankful for all my loves in the office who have made this experience a positive one! & to my favorite, Miss Amy Barnes, who is not only amazing at what she does, but is also one of the most wonderful lifelong friends I have acquired throughout the past year! I love you dearly!

FAQs: Tips for New Grads

After answering many questions at the University of St. Augustine's career fair, I thought I would share some common questions/answers from the day that may help new grads who are interested in joining the AMPS team on an amazing traveling journey! I thought this would be the perfect time to answer some of these important questions as my friends from West Virginia University prepare for their board exams and many students prepare for graduation within the next few months!

National Therapy Recruiter, Helina Jones & I at the Career Fair

When should I start talking to a recruiter?
I recommend that you start talking to your recruiter as soon as you are interested in taking the plunge! Obviously I am a bit biased and would recommend chatting with Amy, however after spending time with many recruiters at Advanced Medical, I am confident that you would be well taken care of by anyone from the team! By talking with your recruiter early in the game you are allowing them to have an opportunity to get to know you, your career goals, and personal goals as you embark on your post-grad life! You also have plenty of time to get all of your paperwork in- trust me, there is a lot of it! Your recruiter will discuss your resume, call your references, and make you as marketable as possible before submitting you to your first travel job. Use your recruiter as a great resource in this process, they have assisted many therapists and have a lot of expertise to ensure success!

How should I handle state licensure?
This topic is one of my favorites and one lesson I learned the hard way! As you will soon find, state licensures are expensive, there is tons of paperwork and hoops to jump for a measley, yet very important piece of paper! If you are interested in travel and anticipate visiting and working in multiple states, I highly recommend that you gain state licensure immediately upon taking/passing your boards in all of the states of interest. When you are a new grad, they only require school transcripts and notification from your national board exam (sometimes a few other things). However, once you are licensed in multiple different states it is increasingly difficult to acquire a license in another as you are required to send more and more paperwork. This can delay the start of an assignment if the state you are attempting to acquire licensure has strict requirements.  Therefore a 2 week process may become a 4-8 week process! Save yourself the trouble, spend the money straight out of the gate if you can, and acquire as many state licensures as you anticipate using. Be sure to keep your receipts, as Advanced Medical will reimburse you for your expenses once you have locked in an assignment!

Can I travel locally or within a small area? Where can I get a job?
The possibilities are endless! Advanced Medical has therapists all across the country so you can pretty much go wherever your little heart desires! Some areas are more fruitful in their traveling possibilities as far as availability, pay, setting, etc. this is why it is so important to speak with your recruiter regarding what your best options are as you begin this journey. Some locations have more options than others and this is something your recruiter will definitely help you with if you are interested in traveling locally, but it is totally possible!

What kind of mentorship does the company provide? Do I have any obligations with this program?
The companies new grad coordinator will send you a mentor's information as well as send your mentor your information (did you catch all that?!). You do not have any obligations as a new grad in this program. It is simply there for your benefit. As a mentor I try to contact my travelers before they start and periodically through their assignment. Some have lots of questions and respond, others do not and that is their choice. I also had personally developed a facebook group that has allowed me to keep in touch, post helpful articles, and so we can all have open discussion about any concerns or obstacles!

How long am I required to stay with AMPS? How long are the assignments? Contracts are generally 13 weeks unless it is within the school system or government job.  You do not have a long standing commitment to Advanced Medical outside of each contract. You could travel with the company for 1 assignment or 10 assignments! That is all up to you. I do highly encourage everyone to attempt at least 2 assignments with the company because let's face it, there are bad facilities and really amazing ones! The bad facilities are no reflection of the amazing experience that Advanced Medical can provide. Remember, they are on your team (AMPS) so be honest with them about your concerns and rest assured they will try their best to give you the best experience.

Do I get to make decisions on where, what, when I take an assignment?Yes! Yes! Yes! You are the driver of this crazy roller coaster. Your team at AMPS is there to guide you so that you can be as successful as you possibly can be! You work very closely with your recruiter regarding your priorities. Be honest with them so they can present the best opportunities to not only benefit your career but your life!


I truly hope this was helpful for anyone who is apprehensive with lots of questions regarding travel therapy! If you have any other questions and would like to reach out, do not hesitate to comment or shoot me an email! Happy to help!! Good luck as you prepare for post-grad life! :)

kaylalayner@yahoo.com or klayner.ot@gmail.com

A Day in the Office

I have been quite the blogging slacker, but I assure you that I will catch up this week! :)

Last Friday I had the opportunity to head into the office at Advanced Medical to chat with some of the amazing people I have been getting to know via email, phone calls, etc. The behind the scenes team is even more wonderful than I had anticipated! A full of energy team that welcomed me with warm, open arms!

Friday afternoon my recruiter, Amy, set up a Q&A session with other recruiters so that they could have a more personal look into the lives of their travelers and the therapy world. The conversations were very pleasant and the team was eager to know how they could be of better service to their travelers. I am grateful for this opportunity, not only because it was a lot of fun, but also it has given me even more confidence in the company I work for. I brag all the time about how lucky I am to have such an amazing recruiter in Amy, but now I can honestly say that there are SO many wonderful recruiters at Advanced Medical who want nothing more than for you to have an amazing experience. 

I am certain that the AMPS team is one that will always have my back in any situation. I am forever grateful for the connections I have made since working for this company and could not be more proud to be apart of it. 

In addition to making it into the office, I FINALLY got to meet Famous Amy!! :) We have talked for countless hours and she is without a doubt one of my dearest friends, but it was really great to spend some face to face time with her! I know this will not be the last time (I hope!). 

The Dreaded Interview

Travelers are definitely not strangers to job interviews. Thankfully, we do not have to stress about how to dress, what our hair looks like, or hold back our nervous non-verbal behaviors due to the fact that the majority of our interviews are completed over the phone! How wonderful is that? Not only do we get to answer all of the questions in the convenience of our pajamas, while sitting with a big mug of coffee, but we also get to have an interview cheat sheet!

Before my first interview as a traveler, I was a nervous wreck. What should I say? What kinds of questions should I ask? How am I going to effectively allow them to get to know me through the phone?  With the help of my recruiter and some great Pinterest blogs, I gathered a list of questions, answered some typical interview questions and had them ready to go before the call. In most cases, the DOR will go over these questions before you even have a chance to ask, but this can helpensure that you have covered what you need to.

Scheduling Questions
Discuss start date
How many hours? M-F?
Will weekends be required?
Is overtime available?
Policy for working holidays?
Confirm/discuss any prearranged days off you may need

Facility Questions
What are your productivity standards?
Am I required to reach full productivity the first week?
How many COTAs will I be supervising?
Number of beds/common diagnoses
How many patients seen per day?
What type of charting/documenting system?
What is the dress code?
Will floating to other facilities be required? (If the answer is yes, you may want to find out more!)
Where do you report? What time?
Do you use modalities?
 
Mentorship Questions
How many OT/PT/SLP?
Is there mentorship available?
Specifics on orientation/ramp time
Will someone be able to show me documentation requirements?
Will there be an evaluating therapist on staff within the facility for questions?

In addition to the logistics that need to be discussed, I also made a list of frequently asked interview questions and answered them with bullet points. I chose to bullet point my answers so that I would not want to read straight from my notes. You never want to sound scripted. Here are a few that I have found to be most helpful.

Tell me a little bit about yourself
       ^Here I like to talk about work and personal related things. It is important to show versatility, what makes you different?
What are your strengths?
What are your weaknesses?
Can you describe a situation that you believe you handled well?
Can you describe a situation that you could have handled better?
How do you deal with stressful situations?

New Grads/New Travelers
It is a giant leap of faith to start your career as a traveler. I am very grateful for the experiences and opportunities the travel world provides, but there are definitely some things that I would recommend for first time travelers/new grads. Please, please, please do not start in a facility that does not have another therapist there to assist you. Travelers are supposed to be able to hit the ground running, but the amount of stress and insecurities you are likely going to have will outweigh a lot of the positive attributes of being a traveler. Try to get your feet wet in a larger facility so that you can learn from your coworkers, you can build your therapy toolbox, and you can gain some confidence. I am very grateful to have started this journey in a large facility with an abundance of resources, it most definitely made me a better therapist. I have also experienced facilities where I am the only OT on staff. Great experience, however I would not have handled it as gracefully if my first job was not so great. Being the only OT is hard, especially when you are just starting out.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. That is how we learn and you will be a much better therapist and colleague for doing so. If you do not feel comfortable asking someone you work with, reach out to your mentor or shoot me an email. I am by no means an expert, but would be happy to help in any way possible! Hope this little (or big) list helps ease some of your interview stress!

I'll be home for Christmas

Today, I began my commute home to Parkersburg! First time since August for this girl and I am so ready to be among the hills again! I woke up with such excitement (could barely sleep!), anxious to see my family with a feeling that it was going to be a great day! But the day has most definitely taken a turn in an unexpected direction. 

I do not normally push my faith on others, however God's presence on my journey home has been overwhelming. He works in very mysterious ways. I had gotten to my gate very early and had planned on writing a post during my wait when an older lady sat down beside me with tear filled eyes. First of all, I am very nosey... I always want to know what is going on. Secondly, I am a very caring person... I want to be there for everyone if/when I can. 

After a few minutes I felt that I needed to initiate conversation. I quickly learned that this lady had just found out that her 51 year old son had passed away in the middle of the night due to a heart attack. She was on her way to Boston to be with her family and do what no mother should have to do, bury their child. Completely and utterly heartbreaking. 

Following some dialogue I learned that she was originally from West Virginia (what are the odds?!) and that her story was extremely similar to the passing of my Uncle Rick. We shared stories and reminisced about the amazing angels God had gained. My mind is flooded with wonderful memories shared with such an absolutely wonderful man. Boy, do I ever miss him!

Our Last Christmas Together

Things truly do happen for a reason, and though we may not always have the answers when we want them, God will find a way to reveal them to us in time. I am a firm believer that God wanted our paths to cross and am grateful that I was able to be with this sweet lady in her time of need. 

As I prepare to board the plane for the final leg of my journey, I am even more anxious to get home. I am going to hug my family a little tighter, kiss them a little more, and tell them I love them so many times that it may get annoying. You never know when God may need another Angel and very grateful that I am able to spend the holidays with my family!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

One of my favorite photos of us!

The Value of Teamwork

Throughout the past month, I have really gotten the opportunity to understand the value of teamwork. Unfortunately, we live in a world full of individuals who are only interested in their own personal gain and well being. Until you have truly experienced an interdisciplinary team that works seamlessly together, you may never truly understand the meaning of teamwork.

After only 2 days at a facility in Virginia Beach, I was given a 2 weeks notice due to the fact that the facility had filled the position with a permanent employee (who just so happens to be my VB BFF!). If you know me at all, you should know that I like to plan, and this new information was sure to give me some anxiety! This is definitely an occurrence that happens quite often in the travel world due to the fact that travel positions are temporary, however I do not think that I was prepared for it!

My VB BFF, Natalie!

Thankfully, I have the worlds best recruiter! Y'all are probably sick and tired of hearing about her. I'm really not pulling your leg when I say that she falls nothing short of being completely phenomenal! I learned a lot about the way the travel world works, and that the team that I had fighting for me behind the scenes was a great one! Within one week following my notice I had a job interview and an offer to start the day after my initial contract was supposed to end. Wow! Now that, my friends, is teamwork!

The unfortunate part of this new offer was that I would be required to drive a minimum of 50 minutes to and from work every day... what a bummer! I can honestly say, I did not want this job for the simple fact that I would have to wake up before 7am! (Obviously not a morning person!)

Little did I know that I would be walking into an AMAZING facility! A facility that I have the ability to have an impact on, and also a facility that undoubtedly knows what teamwork should really look like! This team amazes me every day. Everyone works together so seamlessly and they truly care about their patients. The environment is infectious, in the best possible way!

There are so many benefits to having an interdisciplinary team that works so incredibly well together. Not only is it amazing for the residents and their well being, but it creates a wonderful, positive atmosphere to work in.

I guess driving an hour to work everyday is a small price to pay for having an awesome job and living in a great area! I'll take it!

I also get to see beautiful skies like this on my way home!! :)

Contact Amy or me if you are interested in joining the travel world or if you just have some questions! We would be happy to help! abarnes@advanced-medical.net or kaylalayner@yahoo.com