Blog Away Therapists!!!

Ashley Bagwell

Cirrus Allied- Account Manager

With the winter weather blowing through most of the country right now and being on the road, I thought you may all appreciate a nice winter soup receipe from your healthcare recruiter!! See below for one of my favorites! Enjoy and stay warm!!

Kale and White Bean Soup

Serves 4

1 small bunch of kale

2 teaspoons of olive oil

1 large onion

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes  (add more if you like it spicy)

one 15 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

3 cups fat free chicken broth

2 cups of water

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and freshly ground pepper

2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Wash kale, or purchase pre-washed, remove stems and discard center ribs, slice into slim ribbons

Heat olive oil in a heavy stockpot over a medium-low flame and saute the onion, stirring occansionally, until it begins to caramelize, about 15 minutes.  Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute the mixture another minute.

Add the beans, broth, water and oregano, and bring to a simmer.

Add the kale and simmer, uncovered, stirring occansionally, until it is tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.  Divide the soup among four bowls and sprinkle each serving with equal amounts of parmesan cheese.

PER SERVING, ABOUT:  Calories: 150; Protein: 8g; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 5g, Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 2mg, Calcium: 103mg, Sodium: 157 mg

Happy Travels!!!

But how does one partake in the winter festivities while traveling on assignment? At a time when being at home and close family gatherings are so synonymous with this time of year, I was curious to learn how travelers celebrate the season while miles away from their homes and loved ones. As it turns out, spreading goodwill, giving back to a community, and enjoying the new traditions of a different place are some of the ways travelers experience the holidays while on assignment!

Christmas Giving

Goodwill towards men and peace on earth are themes often attached to the holiday season. If you’re a traveler, there are many things you can do to show your warm-hearted spirit without spending a dime!

I had a chance to talk to Cynthia, a traveling RN with a big Christmas spirit! Cynthia says she loves to travel during this time of year because it is a way for her to give the gift of time off for nurses with little ones at home, grandchildren, and other youngsters in their families. Because healthcare professionals must provide care 365 days of the year, nurses and therapists often have unique challenges to finding time off around the holidays. However, being a traveler definitely helps alleviate this burden. “I always volunteer to work for staff with children. Christmas Day is about children, so I enjoy being able to let parents be with their kids on that day,” she said.

In addition, Cynthia also shows her Christmas cheer to patients, especially ones that do not have family closely or ones that don’t see a lot of visitors. “I treat a patient the way I’d want to be treated. If I have a patient that doesn’t have family, then I like to make them crafts. This year I’m giving them ornaments signed by hospital staff and I hope that makes them feel special,” she said.

Observing New Traditions

Another interesting aspect of traveling during the holidays is, you guessed it, being in a new environment each time! While most of us always attend the same holiday parade, shop for gifts at the same mall, and cook the same holiday recopies’ year-after-year, a traveler can experience the holidays in a radically new way each year, which is fun for travelers that enjoy new things.

Cynthia says different places can have different traditions. “In a predominately Hispanic community, Christmas is emphasized around church gatherings – it’s like a week-long event leading up until the 25^th with many religious festivities. This year, I’ve noticed a lot more people had trees up before Thanksgiving, so they’re eating turkey with the tree already up!” she said.

Being in a new environment around the holidays also lets travelers develop close friendships with others who share joy in the season, including permanent staff at the facility, as well as other travelers who are away from home. “Since we don’t have our own families with us, we develop a new family wherever we are,” she said.

Taking an assignment during the holiday season provides travelers many unique opportunities to celebrate warmth and spirit of winter festivities, and we are overjoyed to hear how our travelers incorporate the holiday on the road. “I have Christmas in my heart and celebrate it everyday. I don’t need it to be December 25^th to feel like it’s Christmas,” she said. Thanks Cynthia for everything you do, around the holidays and year-round.

How do YOU celebrate the season while on assignment?

Cirrus Allied is proud to announce that traveler Joan Szymberski has been recognized for her outstanding accomplishments as a travel speech language pathologist.  Joan has been awarded the “2009 Traveler of the Year Award” by Healthcare Traveler, alongside 97 other mobile professionals. To learn more about Joan, please read below:

Joan Szymberski, SLP, CCC, VitalStim Certified: Cirrus Allied Staffing
Discipline: Speech-Language Pathology
Years Traveling: 4
Nominated by: Tom Hidock, Senior Recruiter

“Joan exemplifies the core values and attitudes of our company. Her superior skills, willingness to do good work, and positive attitude make her a job to work with.”

Congratulations Joan!

San Antonio Texas is home to the Alamo and is a great place to visit and or to live. It’s a city filled with history, magic, and charm! Some of the most visited tourist attractions are: Sea World, Botanical Gardens, The river walk, & Tower of the Americas.

 But, for those of you that are more interested in the scary side of things San Antonio is home to many ghost stories and sightings! Some of the most famous places to get your scare on in the San Antonio are Midget Mansion and Black Swan Inn. The rumor on Black Swan Inn is that the Inn is built on top of an Indian burial ground and is home to reoccurring paranormal activity. Other scary stories and places to check out in San Antonio TX are Donkey Lady, Terrell Hills Ghost, and Chupacabra.

If eating is more of your hobby then you have found the right city! With hundreds of restaurants to choose from but Mexican food being on the top of the list! One of the most famous Mexican restaurants is Tellez tamales and some would even say it’s the best in the state.

 For Traveling Physical Therapists… you’re in luck! I have two opens in San Antonio in skilled nursing facilities. These are both for an immediate start for a 13 week assignment. If you’re interested in these positions or others like them please contact me!

Happy Travels!

Amber Hand

 Account Manager Cirrus Allied; Formerly MDI Medical

3000 Northwoods Pkwy St 105 Norcross Ga, 30071

Direct : 678.993.2314

Toll Free: 1-866-518-1750 ext 2314

Fax: 1-866-600-4001

If you would like for me to write about another city just let me know by commenting on this blog!

Colorado-based Stephen H. isn’t just a traveling physical therapist specializing in out-patient rehab. He is a former national mountain bike racer, backcountry skier, and outdoors enthusiast. Traveling with Cirrus Allied has given him the flexibility to stay close to nature while pursuing the rewarding and people-driven physical therapy career he enjoys.

Originally from Tagasa Springs, CO – home of America’s famous hot springs, Stephen has traveled within his home state for the last four years. When he’s not working or dodging avalanches on uncharted mountain slopes, Stephen enjoys spending time with his son Jasper, a geologist, his daughter Stefanie, a speech language pathologist, and his eight-year-old granddaughter.

Stephen says the unique challenges of traveling are a good fit for him. “I get a lot of satisfaction being able to step into a place and pick up the documentation and interactions among new staff from day one,” he said.

No matter where Stephen decides to go, his recruiter Sara Savoy – along with the rest of the Cirrus Allied – is right behind him. “My relationship with Sara is friendly, casual, and professional. There’s a perfect balance of contact – not too frequent, yet not too scattered – and over the years she’s become as much a friend as a colleague. I will probably continue traveling for the rest of my career. I’ve been with other traveling firms and I appreciate Cirrus Allied’s positive approach,” he said.

Stephen says he was impressed about a year and a half ago when Cirrus Allied exceeded his expectations during a housing situation. When his private housing was exterminated for pests, Stephen checked into a nearby hotel because he is sensitive to the harsh chemicals involved in pest control. Cirrus Allied was able to resolve the situation and find alternative housing quickly. “I don’t know how many competitors would understand my needs and be so willing to accommodate my needs without a lot of hassle,” said Stephen.

Stephen specializes in out-patient rehab and looks forward to traveling on assignment in Hawaii one day. He prefers a rural environment close to nature rather than big cities. His advice for a new traveler: “Get all the experience you can and be very flexible in adjusting your practice to the philosophies and modes of wherever you choose to work.”

Individuals looking for an exciting vacation destination need look no farther than Maine. You can fulfill all of your vacation needs here, from the fast-paced excitement of your favorite outdoor activity, to the exceptional performances of our theatre companies and symphony orchestras. Tour a living history museum in the morning and dine in an elegant restaurant in the evening. Ski the slopes of a world-class resort by day, and relax in  a  bed & breakfast at night. Browse countless antique shops or search for a bargain in our outlet stores. Stretch out on a white-sand beach or on the deck of a wind-jammer.

There are a variety of causes behind headaches. Headaches can occur because you are suffering from sinus, migraines or tension.  Each of these types of headaches should be treated differently.

Most people make the mistake of running for medicines AFTER they have a headache. Don’t make that mistake. Most headaches are easily preventable and there is no need to wait for a headache to appear in order to find the treatment. Why would you endure the pain of headache while you can easily prevent it? You can easily prevent headache by using the following home remedies:

Take two teaspoonfuls of honey every day. This will help prevent any headache attacks.

Apart from honey, natural apple cider vinegar too has been proven to preventive headaches. You can take equal amounts of natural apple cider vinegar and water and boil them in a pan well until smoke begins to rise. When the smoke is strong enough, lean your head over the pan and inhale the smoke for about fifty to eighty breathes. This goes a long way in preventing future attacks of headaches. Also if you are already suffering from a headache, this treatment helps to cure headache as well.

Massaging is yet another way to prevent and cure headaches. Buy Pure Almond Carrier Oil and Lavender Essential Oil. Wet your fingertips in Pure Almond Carrier Oil and then add a couple of drops of Lavender Essential Oil and gently massage your temples, the hollows at the sides of your eyes, behind the ears and over your neck in a circular motion. 

Contact Amy McGuire at Cirrus Allied today @678-993-2291 to hear more about travel therapy jobs! If you have a headache that doesn’t get cured by one of the above solutions, maybe you should start traveling with us! We have hot jobs in the most attractive cities in the country!