In Demand- Top 5 Travel Allied Healthcare Jobs

Allied specialty healthcare travel jobs offer flexibility, competitive salaries, and the opportunity to work in diverse settings across the country. As the demand for healthcare professionals continues to rise, certain allied specialties are particularly sought after. Here five areas with the potential for considerable growth:

1. Travel Physical Therapist (PT)

Overview:

Travel physical therapists provide rehabilitative care to patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, or illnesses. They work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment of physical therapists will grow 14% from 2023 to 2033, which is about 13,600 openings per year.

Demand Drivers:

Aging Population: The growing number of elderly individuals requiring physical therapy for age-related conditions increases demand.

Injury Recovery: High injury rates in sports and accidents drive the need for physical therapy services.

Flexibility: Physical therapists are needed in both urban and rural areas, making travel positions appealing for those seeking varied experiences.

Key Skills:

• Advanced clinical skills in physical therapy
• Ability to develop and implement personalized rehabilitation plans
• Excellent communication skills for working with diverse patient populations

2. Travel Occupational Therapist (OT)

Overview:

Occupational therapists assist patients in developing, recovering, and improving skills needed for daily living and working. They work with individuals facing physical, mental, or emotional challenges. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for OTs will grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, with about 9,800 openings projected each year.

Demand Drivers:

Increased Awareness: Growing recognition of the importance of occupational therapy in improving quality of life for patients with chronic conditions.

Workplace Adaptation: Rising needs for workplace accommodations and adaptations drive demand for OTs.

Varied Work Environments: Opportunities in hospitals, schools, and clinics contribute to the need for flexible, travel-based positions.

Key Skills:

• Proficiency in assessing and designing therapeutic interventions
• Strong interpersonal skills to work closely with patients and their families
• Flexibility to adapt therapy plans to different settings and patient needs
  

  3. Travel Radiologic Technologist (RT)

Overview:

Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, to help diagnose and monitor patient conditions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for radiologic technologists will grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which translates to about 16,000 job openings each year.

Demand Drivers:

Technological Advancements: Ongoing advancements in imaging technology create a consistent need for skilled radiologic technologists.

High Turnover: The fast-paced nature of the job and the need for specialized skills contribute to high turnover rates, increasing demand for travel positions.

Emergency and Routine Imaging: Radiologic technologists are needed in emergency situations as well as for routine diagnostic imaging, driving demand across various settings.

Key Skills:

• Expertise in operating imaging equipment and interpreting images
• Ability to work in high-pressure environments and manage patient care effectively
• Attention to detail for accurate imaging and diagnosis
  

  4. Travel Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)

Overview:

A speech-language pathologist works with patients affected by a variety of neurological events, such as brain damage, stroke, seizure, or cancer. Speech-language pathology is one of the fastest growing allied health careers, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating 29% growth by 2030.

Demand Drivers:

Medical Needs: As the large baby-boom population grows older, there will be more instances of health conditions such as strokes or dementia, which can cause speech or language impairments.

Shortages: Many experienced SLPs are approaching retirement age, leading to a significant loss of professionals in the field. As they retire, there is a shortage of qualified SLPs to replace them.

Specialized Skills: Speech pathologists possess specialized knowledge and skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing disorders.

Key Skills:

• Communicate clearly and effectively with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals. They should be able to explain diagnoses, test results, and treatment plans in a way that’s easy to understand.
• Critical thinking skills to analyze assessment data, create treatment plans, and identify speech disorders.
• Keen problem-solving skills to address complex cases and overcome challenges. They should be willing to try different approaches and be creative with their techniques
  

  5. Travel Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Overview:

Respiratory therapists provide care for patients with breathing difficulties and respiratory disorders. They work in hospitals, clinics, and home care settings. Employment of respiratory therapists is projected to grow 13 percent from 2023 to 2033 which is about 8,200 openings each year, on average, over the decade (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Demand Drivers:

Chronic Respiratory Conditions: Increasing prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma and COPD, drives demand for respiratory therapy services.

COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic has heightened the need for respiratory therapists due to increased respiratory issues among patients.

Diverse Work Environments: Opportunities in both acute and long-term care settings contribute to the demand for travel positions.

Key Skills:

• Expertise in assessing and treating respiratory conditions
• Ability to operate and manage respiratory equipment
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work in high-stress situations
  

  Conclusion

Travel allied health jobs offer dynamic and rewarding opportunities for healthcare professionals seeking flexibility and diverse experiences. The roles of travel physical therapist, occupational therapist, radiologic technologist, speech language pathologist, and respiratory therapist are particularly in demand due to various factors. These include technological advancements, demographic shifts, and evolving healthcare needs. As with any position in the healthcare field, you need to be properly licensed. You may need multi-state compact licensing or state-specific licensing to pursue an allied healthcare career outside of your home state. For allied health professionals looking to explore new locations while advancing their careers, these positions provide an excellent balance of challenge and opportunity.

The Go Healthcare Team is ready to help you start a travel career. We have experienced recruiters who are highly successful in matching healthcare professionals to enjoyable assignments. Visit our website www.gohealthcarestaffing.com or give us a call 844-916-8773 today.