PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES/CULTURA/GHISLAIN & MARIE DAVID DE LOSSY

Joe Parris (PHOTO: COURTESY OF JOE PARRIS)

Kristen O’Sullivan (COURTESY OF KRISTEN SULLIVAN)

Tyler Black (PHOTO: COURTESY OF TYLER BLACK)

Rehabilitative services

The late 1990s was a tense time for physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Terms of the 1997 Balanced Budget Act (BBA) had organizations concerned about reductions in Medicare and Medicaid coverage as well as limitations placed on practice scopes. As a result, facilities cut back on supplemental staffing contracts, and mobile opportunities dropped off.

In hindsight, those worries were unfounded. Over the ensuing years, demand for therapists and pathologists may have waned somewhat, but not to the extent that industry watchers anticipated. "The rehab disciplines have really regained their claim to being the most in-demand among allied health travelers. The need for PTs, PT assistants, OTs, and OT assistants remained strong for several years," says Kristen O'Sullivan, director of the allied health division at Cross Country Staffing, based in Boca Raton, Fla.

Not only didn't temporary positions dry up — they gained momentum. Even through the recent recession, requests for rehab professionals kept coming. "Our data suggests the demand for therapists has surpassed pre-recession levels," says Joe Parris, executive vice president of business development for Reflectx Services, headquartered in Lake Mary, Fla.

There are some key reasons behind the market's resiliency beyond compensating for BBA regulations. First and foremost is the discrepancy between the number of open positions and the number of qualified therapists and pathologists to fill them. "The supply of therapists is not significantly greater today versus what it was in 2006 or earlier. The demand, however, continues to grow," Parris says.

Indeed, physical therapists currently enjoy a stellar employment environment. Analysts assert there is virtually no unemployment within in the profession. Occupational therapists are experiencing a similar job market. WANTED Analytics found a 103 percent increase in OT job ads during a four-month period this year, compared with the same period last year.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this trend is expected to persist for the next several years. The agency estimates a 30 percent growth in job opportunities for physical therapists by 2018. It projects similar growth (26 percent) for occupational therapists. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) lag slightly behind, with an anticipated 19 percent increase by 2018.

But one doesn't have to look too far ahead to see the effects of healthcare staffing shortages. Certain settings already report difficulties in recruiting and retaining full-time therapists and pathologists. For example, an American Speech-Language-Hearing Association survey found that more than half of respondents indicated a deficit in qualified SLPs in school districts, a preeminent employer of the specialty. Not surprisingly, Parris says he's seen an uptick in school-based clients requesting speech-language pathologists.

"I don't know if the increase is because we have devoted a greater focus to that customer segment or because the need is so strong, or both, but we definitively have seen the number of school contracts grow in recent years," Parris says.

Also, the 2004 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which guarantees special education and related services to all eligible children, along with more emphasis on early detection and treatment may have stimulated demand. "If travelers do not have specific school-based backgrounds, they should at least have strong pediatric experiences," O'Sullivan says. "Also, therapists and pathologists interested in these types of contracts should be willing to commit to longer assignments, which is good if you're looking for more stability. Schools usually want travelers for at least a semester if not the entire school year."

Adds Parris, "It takes children some time to get acclimated to their therapists. Therefore, schools do not want to change out providers after only a few weeks. They prefer continuity of care with the same therapists."

Another emerging market for travel therapists is home health. The National Association for Home Care and Hospice states that approximately 12 million people receive care in their homes. With only 33,000 healthcare professionals practicing in the field, it's clear the need surpasses supply, and therefore, more opportunities are available for mobile professionals.

"That trend has developed over time along with the push to provide more care outside of the expensive hospital environment," O'Sullivan says. "Many of these opportunities are in rural areas."

In fact, there are plenty of assignments in rural communities for all rehab specialists. Because hospitals and outpatient centers in these areas may have difficulty securing permanent staff, they often bring in travelers. "Some facilities in remote areas know they may have to pay higher rates in order to attract mobile providers because travelers are drawn to urban areas, too," O'Sullivan says.