We're thrilled to welcome a new guest blogger, Andrew Lisa, to our growing roster of contributors. Today Andrew offers up a few tips for PTs (and any rehab professional, really) looking to relocate to a new city. Interested in becoming a contributor? Get in touch today! Physical therapy is a noble and important job that brings relief, hope, and happiness to countless people whose lives would otherwise be dominated by pain, anxiety, and uncertainty. When a physical therapist relocates from one city to another, his or her patients are left finding another professional to fill the void - and the therapist is stuck looking for a job in a new city. Follow this guide to finding a new job as a physical therapist in your new hometown.
Leave Amicably
A reference from your last employer often carries as much weight as your resume or interview. Make sure that the hustle, bustle, and stress of an impending move doesn't nudge you into neglecting the parting weeks or months of your current job. Make sure you give plenty of notice - two weeks is standard, a month is preferable - so your current employers (and patients) have time to find an appropriate replacement. Discuss your departure openly and honestly, and ask for letters of reference so prospective employers don't repeatedly bother them with phone calls.
The APTA Career Center
The American Physical Therapy Association, or APTA, has a comprehensive resource dedicated solely to helping therapists find work or continue learning. The APTA's Careers and Learning page can help you find jobs, locate courses and conferences, manage and develop your career, and utilize self-assessment tools. The APTA also provides a great resource that can aid you in hooking up with similar trade organizations that can help you in your journey.
Licensing
Because it deals with healthcare, physical therapy is a highly regulated industry. The rules and regulations that govern education, licensing, standards, and practices of the industry vary widely from state to state. Some states honor out-of-state licenses; others require in-state renewals. Protocols and fees vary depending on location. Make sure you're up to date on your license and are well aware of the unique rules and requirements of the city to which you're moving. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy has all the jurisdictional information you'll need to make sure you're in full compliance. Packing up and making a go of it in a new city is challenging no matter what you do for a living. For physical therapists, an entire new set of challenges awaits. Like any healthcare occupation, physical therapy is a career based on trust. Building a new client base will take time and effort. Use social media to clear a path before you arrive. Friend people in related fields on Facebook and follow conversations on Twitter relevant to your specific niche. Always leave on good terms with your current job, and make sure your licenses are in order before you arrive.