Why Travel Physical Therapists Should Work with Multiple Recruiters

Why Multiple Recruiters Matter
As a travel physical therapist with four years of experience, and now traveling alongside my wife, I have learned that working with multiple recruiters can make a huge difference in finding the right opportunities. I generally recommend communicating with 2–3 recruiters during a job search, though sometimes we expand that to a few more if we are being picky or trying to find the perfect location.

Working with multiple companies allows you to compare pay, benefits, and opportunities, giving you more control over your travel PT career. For example, with my upcoming assignment, I compared the same job with the travel company I was already on assignment with to another company I hadn’t worked with before. The benefits were very similar, but the new company offered significantly higher after-tax weekly pay. Completing the extra onboarding requirements was well worth it, especially since the new company paid me to complete the onboarding—something I had never experienced before, which is rare given that I have taken contracts with six companies so far. This is a great example of why it can pay off to explore multiple options.

Maintaining Relationships
It is important to maintain good relationships with recruiters. Even if you do not take a contract with a recruiter, staying professional can benefit you if you want to work with them in the future. You never know when you might want to return to a company or reach out to a recruiter again.

Things to Consider When Switching Companies
Switching companies may involve more paperwork, and you will lose your health, dental, and vision benefits on the last day of your assignment if you decide to switch travel companies. This may not matter if you take more than 30 days off between assignments, since most companies only allow up to 30 days off while keeping benefits active.

Pay attention to health insurance and retirement benefits when comparing travel companies. Some companies start coverage on day one of your assignment, while others may start the first of the following month. Similarly, check 401k eligibility and vesting schedules for retirement plans.

Another practical tip is to get clarification on the facility name before submitting an application when working with different travel companies. This ensures you do not accidentally apply to the same job with two different companies, which would likely disqualify you.

Tips for Travel Couples and Specific Job Preferences
For travel couples or anyone with very specific job requirements, talking to multiple recruiters will be valuable. Sometimes a job only has one opening, but it’s worth submitting and asking if the facility is willing to take two people. Some facilities will consider it, especially if they have taken a team in the past, though I wouldn’t get your hopes up right away.

Even as a couple, you do not have to work for the same agency, though working for the same agency has been convenient and has worked out well for us thus far. If you only find one opportunity at a desired location and your recruiter does not have anything else in that area, another company might.

It is also important not to focus on just one company, even if you love the recruiter. Without comparing offers and benefits, you won’t have the full picture to make the best decision. Multiple recruiters give you options, leverage, and a clearer understanding of the market.

My Experience
Over the years, I have taken contracts with six different companies and worked with many others, even if I did not ultimately take a job with them. This experience has given me a unique perspective that I now share to help other travel PTs navigate the travel physical therapy world.

If you’re ready to get started, we’ve put together a list of recruiters we have personally worked with and highly recommend here: Travel Recruiters