LANCASTER, Pa., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite increasingly dire economic news and depressing employment statistics, there is a sector where demand for candidates far exceeds supply. Rehabilitation therapists continue to be a coveted breed of professionals among healthcare staffing agencies and medical facilities.
While some healthcare categories have experienced an employment slowdown, that is not the case for physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. There simply are not enough rehabilitation therapists to meet the demand. Facilities attempting to fill a permanent therapist position are now contacting travel healthcare agencies for assistance in finding therapists. In fact, many travel nursing agencies are now focusing on travel therapists due to a softening of the market for travel nurses.
"In the past few weeks we have experienced significantly more interest in our therapy leads program," says Terry McDermott, V.P. of Marketing for Travel Nurse Source, a leading provider of travel nursing and travel therapist candidates. "We have recently added new clients to our program at AlliedTravelCareers.com. There is definitely a heightened interest in finding and placing therapists in travel positions."
As new agencies enter the field, the competition for therapists is intensifying. Candace Berk, President of Cirrus Allied Staffing (formerly MDI Medical Staffing), believes that agencies with strong recruiters will be the most successful. Says Ms. Berk, "I believe the increased competition will require travel therapy recruiters to sharpen their skills. The recruiters who are doing well have great client relationships and outstanding assignment opportunities. They respond quickly and understand the market. Travelers want an experienced recruiter to help them get the position they want, the right compensation package and to keep their promises."
The market appears to be perfectly positioned for physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists to find very attractive and lucrative travel assignments. "We have definitely ramped up our efforts to identify travel therapy candidates for our clients," says Terry McDermott. "We believe that our aggressive marketing will attract PTs, OTs and SLPs. Our clients deserve our best effort."
Both Travel Nurse Source will be exhibiting at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting scheduled for February 9-12 in Las Vegas.
Travel Nurse Source, LLC is a leading marketing and recruiting company servicing the travel healthcare industry. The company launched Allied Travel Careers at www.alliedtravelcareers.com to address the growing demand for therapists.
SOURCE Travel Nurse Source, LLC
