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We are seeing more and more home health needs for traveling physical therapists . We are also finding that home health experience is becoming a must. There are many different perks when it comes to home health assignments with Cirrus Allied. The compensation packages include a great auto allowance, which will be sure to cover your travel expenses, and the flexibility of your schedule is a big plus. Home health is a great way to see the fruits of your labor, and really make a difference in the rehabilitation of your patients. Give me a call for an updated listing of current openings…678-993-2316.
Nikki
New Year brings New Beginnings…
The New Year is upon us and we want to know your New Years resolutions. Do you plan to take an exciting vacation to Hawaii or maybe you’re a mountain kind of person and would like to explore Colorado. Do you plan on getting a new job or taking up a new hobby? Well if you’re a therapist did you know that you could become a traveling therapist and work in these amazing places for an assignment or two!
There is a new exciting world just around the corner that you probably didn’t even know about. You can become a traveling therapist with Cirrus Allied, we are a healthcare staffing firm, and we currently employee travel physical therapist and assistants, travel occupational therapist and assistants, and travel speech language pathologist. If we don’t have the job opening that you want then we will go out and find the job you want. We have a team of Account Managers that find the travel therapy needs. We also have a credentialing team that will help you get licensed in any state that you want to work.
Don’t put your dreams on hold any longer! 2010 is the year that you need to make it happen! Look us up on the web at www.cirrusallied.com or give us a call toll free at 866.518.1750.
Many people who have been traveling for years are begining to accept permanent positions due to the belief that travel contracts aren’t steady and might even be phased out. As the son of a hospital board member, I can tell you that nothing is further from the truth. Travelers are expensive and many facilities are using the economy as a great way to scare travelers into taking a permanent position and therefore saving a few dollars. With the upcoming medicare changes alone, clients have already started to tell us to expect a jump in there requests for travel therapists. This in in addition to the expected increase due to the baby boomer generation entering their sixties and seventies. Do not fear travel. Whether you are a veteran or a new grad, there are plenty of opening to be claimed. For information on cities that you’ve always wanted to see, call me at 678-993-2283.
Hello All,
Are you a Speech Language Pathologist, Physical Therapist, or Occupational Therapist having a hard time finding a job? Maybe you are not working with the right travel company or maybe you resume needs a little work. Here are six tips for a recession proof resume:
1. Don’t just update your old resume If you haven’t been on the job hunt for many years, it can be tempting to simply pull out the last resume you used, add your most recent accomplishments and send it out. But the document could be many years old, which means the content is likely outdated.
2. Consider your form A chronological resume, in which you list your work experience in reverse chronological order, has long been the standard format that job seekers use. But in a downturn it may not be the best style for showcasing your skills and experience.
3. Focus on the bottom line Companies today are looking for ways to reduce expenses and increase efficiencies. When detailing the positions you’ve held in the past, be sure to mention how you’ve helped boost a former employer’s bottom line.
4. Customize your content One of the most important steps when crafting your resume is to target your content to each company and position. Rather than creating a standard document for use with every opportunity, customize your resume so it speaks directly to a potential employer’s unique needs.
5. Use your cover letter Like many job seekers today, you may have extended gaps in your work history due to current economic conditions. The cover letter allows you to address any concerns an employer may have about these gaps. In it, explain how you’ve kept your skills up-to-date since your last full-time position, whether through temporary assignments, volunteer work or professional development courses.
6. Check for mistakes In a Robert Half survey, 84 percent of executives polled said it takes just one or two typographical errors on a resume to remove a candidate from contention for an open position. Employers see typos, misspellings and grammatical mistakes as a sign you lack professionalism and attention to detail.
Contact us soon and give us your new, improved resume so we can find you your next travel therapy job.
Until next time, safe travels!
Tom Hidock
Senior Recruiter, Cirrus Allied
Getting ready for your next travel therapy assignment? The following tips are guaranteed to assist you in securing your travel dream job!
1) Schedule the interview so that there is enough time and be prepared.
2) You should be in a quiet area where there are no distractions. That means making sure there are no disturbances. Barking dogs, crying children, background stereo or TV, or any other type of noise or disruption is unprofessional. Make sure your family knows you cannot be bothered. If alerted by your call waiting service, ignore it – and don’t forget to shut off your cell phone. If it is not possible to eliminate disturbances, then arrange to take the call from a location outside of your home or office.
3) Keep pen and paper handy to jot down an address, phone number, or the spelling of a name. It is our recommendation that you do not take notes while being interviewed. Note taking creates uncomfortable pauses in the dialog and you will invariably miss part of what is being said. Write any notes at the conclusion of the interview while the information is still fresh in your mind.
4) Assume the same professional demeanor as if your conversation was actually in an in-person meeting. Your attitude will be more positive and you will be more confident.
5) The things you will need to have at hand: a copy of your resume and cover letter, a copy of a two-three minute well rehearsed statement that summarizes your educational and professional background, a listing of your skills and major achievements, and a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Remember that the interview is a forum to exchange information and develop mutual interest in an enduring relationship. It makes sense to be prepared.
6) Smile, it impacts your attitude. Speak clearly and directly into the phone but don’t rush answers. Your sincerity, tone of voice, and method of delivery will substantially impact how you are perceived. Listen carefully to what the interviewer says and if you don’t fully understand a question, then ask for a clarification. The technique of rephrasing or repeating a question, may allow time to better formulate your response. It is absolutely ok to say, “I think I need a moment to get my thoughts together.” Answer yes or no questions with a direct response and then follow with any necessary amplification. Don’t ramble or become long-winded. Don’t interrupt the interviewer. Focus your questions on the issues that appear to be most important to them, the tools or training they provide, and what is expected of you – Silence for more than a few seconds can be awkward and unpleasant for everyone. If it appears that the interviewer is unsure of what to ask or say next, be prepared with your own questions.
7) Don’t discuss compensation. If the interviewer asks about your current salary or desired income, indicate that your recruiter will contact them regarding compensation.
8) Finally thank the person for the interview, show enthusiasm about pursuing the opportunity, and ask about the next step in the process. Ask for the offer!
For more great tips go to net-temps.com
Pamela Mackey, Account Manager, Cirrus Allied 704-887-4408
Cirrus Allied has several long-term Physical Therapy opportunities available now in the beautiful city of Augusta, Georgia! We specialize in travel therapy and have excellent facilities to work in across the nation! Come take in the scenery of two different states and all of the many attractions South Carolina and Georgia are recognized for! Our travel therapy jobs are the perfect way to spend your holidays! Spend your time in prime locations and finish the year with a bang! Go somewhere you’ve always wanted to, but never got around to. Now is the perfect time to take a travel therapy job! Come and relax in the beautiful state of Georgia while receiving excellent pay and benefits at the same time! Call your healthcare recruiter today, Amy McGuire @ 678-993-2291 to hear about the exciting opportunities today!
Are you ready to become a travel healthcare therapist? I happened upon this industry 14 years ago. I simply answered an ad in the local paper looking for a healthcare recruiter.
After I learned more about the industry and the benefits that the travel professionals enjoy, I vividly remember thinking to myself…who would not want to do this??
With pay rates a little higher than an average staff position, free private furnished housing on each assignment, travel expenses paid, guaranteed hours at most assignments, vacation pay, loyalty bonuses, 401K with company match, free health insurance, 13 week assignments with as much time off in between as you chose, much of your money tax free. The ability to see the US and experience different clinical settings all while making money! Not much has changed in 14 years. These same benefits are available to our travelers today! With the recent shift in the economy the demand for travel therapy has stay the same. We are seeing more of the candidates lean toward permanent positions, but the demand for the candidates has remained solid.
If you are considering traveling therapy as your next career step please keep these things in mind. It is 13 weeks, if you try it and do not like it you can always return to your permanent position. You will be able to see parts of the US that you never dreamed of….for free. You will expand your resume and experience different clinical settings without looking like a job hopper. You will most likely become great friends with your healthcare recruiter (if you find a good one). You will love the flexibility and the autonomy of this career. You will most likely wonder why you did not start traveling sooner!!
Happy Travels!
I recently found some interesting information on the Bureau for Labor statistics regarding the opportunities for this field of professionals.
Employment of Speech-Language Pathologists is expected to grow 11 percent from 2006 to 2016, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the members of the baby boom generation continue to age, the possibility of neurological disorders and associated speech, language, and swallowing impairments increases.
Employment in educational services will increase with the growth in elementary and secondary school enrollments, including enrollment of special education students. Federal law guarantees special education and related services to all eligible children with disabilities. Greater awareness of the importance of early identification and diagnosis of speech and language disorders in young children will also increase employment. The long-run demand for therapists should continue to rise as growth in the number of individuals with disabilities or limited function spurs demand for therapy services.
The number of Speech-Language Pathologists in private practice will rise because of the increasing use of contract services by hospitals, schools, and nursing care facilities. Job prospects. The combination of growth in the occupation and an expected increase in retirements over the coming years should create excellent job opportunities for speech-language pathologists. Job prospects also are expected to be especially favorable for those who are willing to relocate, particularly to areas experiencing difficulty in attracting and hiring speech-language pathologists.
Cirrus Allied has a number of options for speech pathologist positions across the country. The jobs are high paying and give you the freedom to decide where you want to locate for a number of assingments. Please check for current available postions and apply today!
Tips to Improve and Create Cover Letters that GET an Manager’s Attention
Lately human resource folks and hiring managers are telling me that people have stopped writing cover letters, yet employers LOVE them. “Cover Letters are very influential,” says Jim, a Cingular human resource manager, “and a well-written letter can grab an interview just on its own merit. It’s too bad most job hunters are so lazy they don’t write one. That’s a mistake no savvy job hunter wants to make.”
1. Don’t lose them with your first sentence. According to the survey results, a cover letter and resume only get a 15 second glance, so your first line either grabs the reader’s attention or loses it. Hiring managers prefer you use a powerful first sentence that summarizes the top skills and experience you can bring to the job. For example, Five years experience as project manager with a proven track record of being on time and within budget is the background I’d bring to your position.
2. Sell the meat. “I’m convinced when I see a meagerly written or generic form-letter that the applicant hasn’t done anything that can help us, so I never even look at the resume,” stated one human resource manager. Over 90% of the hiring managers agreed that SPECIFICS sell! Mike, a vice-president of human resources, said, “The cover letter is the very first thing we see. Candidates that stand out for us used short powerful evidence as they wrote sentence after sentence detailing past achievements and the talents and contributions they would bring to our company. To me, the cover letter is more influential than the resume.
3. “Applicants who do not address the qualifications requested in the advertisement or job listing make a huge mistake. And it seems so many don’t address the employer’s needs at all, they just hit send without thinking,” said Kelly, a CFO with extensive hiring experience. The better strategy is to address each specific qualification and state the experience and skills you possess to perform that task or function.
4. Don’t let careless errors torpedo you. Stephanie, a human resource manager, who has hired over 500 people revealed, “Once I see a typo I know that this is NOT a person we want to hire into our organization. People can avoid this fatal mistake if they carefully proofread before they send.” Good layout and presentation that is easy to read are essential.
For more information visit net-temps.com
Pamela Mackey, Account Manager, Cirrus Allied, 704-887-4408
First off, I want to apologize; this is not going to be my most enthralling blog posting but hopefully it’ll help in a small way. This week has been one of the busiest weeks I’ve had in a long time. I usually take the time to sit down and write a very thoughtful blog but today this has been written in between 100 other tasks. I figured I might as well keep going on the theme, so here are some tips to relax; hopefully we can all employ them over the weekend.
Suggestions:
- Make a cup of tea (try to get sleepy time tea and avoid any with caffeine)
- Exercise
- Take a yoga class
- Go for a walk
- Close your eyes and take 10 deep breaths
- Laugh! (extra points if you can laugh with a friend)
- Read a book
- Take a bath
- Make of list of 5 things you’re grateful for
- Eat a little dark chocolate
- Listen to soothing music
- Power Nap
Things to Avoid:
- Drinking alcohol
- Smoking
- Junk food
- Sleeping more than 8 hours
- Excessive complaining
While some of the activities on the “avoid” list are okay in moderation, be careful not to let them become habits. I say this as a self professed “stress-eater.” I combat it by not keeping snacks around and if I do making sure they’re healthy ones. We all have bad days, we all fall off the bandwagon but remember that everyday spent living is already a success!
Safe Travels!
Kate Clark
678.993.2307
kclark@cirrusallied.com
