Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Speech Language Pathology

As you finish your fieldwork and prepare to officially enter the professional world, all kinds of new experiences will enter your mind such as resumes, job interviews, sitting for the exam, and actually working with clients on a consistent basis.  Tx:Team wants you to not only explore your career opportunities, we want to assist you in finding that position that is right for you.

 To help you prepare for that first job:

Set career goals:  These probably will be modified as you advance, but they will help you decide what skills you want to gain from your first job and what you are able to contribute to your employer.

Know yourself:  Think about your strengths and weaknesses.  Find a job where you can use and increase your strengths, but also have opportunities to support your weaknesses.  Find a setting that will be supportive of you and your career goals.

Surround yourself with experienced therapy practitioners:  Doing so allows you to learn many skills and exposes you to new ideas.  Find a mentor in the community if you accept a job in which you are the only practitioner, and be sure to reach out for other viewpoints through listservs, CE courses, or starting a journal club.

Remember that your first job will not be your last or only job:  It is only the one that will start you on your career.  If you are still unsure about the type of setting or population you want to work with, volunteer at different settings or complete another fieldwork to gain a better understanding of the duties involved in each area of practice.

 When starting your new job:

Always be willing to learn:  Graduation should not mean you’ve finished your education.  Seek out new information and further your knowledge by asking questions, reading journal articles, learning new strategies from your colleagues, volunteering in your state organization, and engaging in continuing education opportunities.

Take advantage of opportunities that come your way:  Seek experiences that will challenge you to learn new skills that will help you become better practitioner.

Know the rules:  In today’s world of health care, rules for documentation, billing and reimbursement will always change.  Strive to be up-to-date on all government and insurance regulations, and choose a company that places education, learning and ethics as a priority. 

Take the initiative to find answers to your own questions:  Do a little research and bring the results to your supervisor to spark a meaningful discussion.  It’s important to be a self-starter and work independently, so problem-solving skills and critical reasoning are crucial.

Realize that therapy is more than a job:  As a professional you have the obligation to stay involved in activities that will enhance the profession, such as mentoring others and joining your local, state, and national organizations.

Know what laws and regulations govern your practice:  Understanding the legislative and regulatory requirements can help you provide appropriate care and explain and justify your services to others.

Advocate, advocate, advocate:  Whether it’s writing a letter to your member of Congress or presenting an in-service at work, advocating for the profession is essential.  The profession can be affected at even the smallest of levels, and sometimes that is where change has to start.

 If you would like to speak to a recruiter and find out more about the opportunities that await you at Tx:Team, please call (800) 603-6046 ext. 22 or e-mail Recruiting.

We look forward to speaking with you and working with you to develop into the healthcare professional that you want to be.