Travel Occupational Therapist Loving Back to School

Meet Jordan H., OT, Schools Traveler of the Month

In recognition of her outstanding job performance and positive attitude, Jordan H., OT, was named Traveler of the Month for August by Med Travelers.

“Jordan is a standout employee,” said Amy W., senior recruiting consultant at Med Travelers, a leading staffing agency that specializes in allied health travel jobs. “She is a kind, thoughtful and generous person.”

Grateful for the recognition but modest about her accomplishments as a travel occupational therapist, Jordan said, “I am just being myself.”  

Pictured Above: Amy W., Med Travelers Senior Recruiting Consultant

Becoming an occupational therapist

While in high school, Jordan completed a rehabilitation internship, allowing her to observe physical and occupational therapists at work. She noticed how patients responded to the two disciplines, and found people experienced stress when going to physical therapy but not with occupational therapy.

“I wanted to be the person everyone likes to go to,” Jordan said. “It was a perfect career for me. I love what I do.”

She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Health Science, in Occupational Therapy and from Barry University in Orlando with a Master of Science, in Occupational Therapy.

Starting in OT travel jobs

Jordan began accepting OT travel jobs before the COVID-19 pandemic, starting with an assignment near her home in Illinois. She was seeking a different work setting after practicing in skilled nursing facilities. She then moved to Oregon in May 2020 and found it lonely with no one out and about. At the school where she was assigned, she initially helped students remotely, before returning to in-person learning.  

“I have always had a wanderlust,” Jordan said. “I have always wanted to move all over the place.”

At her current school OT assignment in California, she starts her day making rounds to check if the autistic children on her caseload are present, while also monitoring their mood. She then provides an acceptable motor or sensory activity that youngsters can participate in with her. The school has already started for the fall semester.

“I think it’s cool to watch them succeed,” Jordan said.

Enjoying different locales

This travel occupational therapist has ventured to Illinois, the Oregon coast, and California with her cat, who enjoys being with her on the road. After accepting a new OT travel job, Jordan asks people from the area about the ideal spots to visit while on assignment. She has gone to Santa Monica Beach, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Crater Lake in Oregon, and many parks.

Jordan stays in touch with her family and the people she loves when on assignment, and when a contract ends, she enjoys visiting them in person. Next, she might look into an assignment near her pregnant sister who will deliver a baby this fall.

But she enjoys the West Coast and would consider going back, perhaps to Northern California.

“It’s nice to go to places I’ve always wanted to go and explore those places,” Jordan said. “If you travel and like the place, great. But if not, you can find someplace else to go.”

Allied health professionals can choose travel assignments in various locations across the United States, and work with their recruiter to check destinations off their bucket list.

Sharing tips for potential travelers

“My biggest tip is to be comfortable and compatible with your recruiter,” Jordan said. “It makes everything go smoother. When things go wrong, it makes it easier to have someone you are able to ask.”

Jordan also recommends that healthcare travelers be open-minded and able to go with the flow because things do not always pan out as expected.

“I have had no issues going into things with that mindset,” she said. “It’s been incredibly helpful.”

Having been a travel occupational therapist for nearly four years, Jordan said she feels comfortable moving around to different locations and work settings.

“People have a little more grace with people in traveling positions,” she said. She encourages others to try traveling, for both the professional and personal perks.

Allied travel professionals typically work 13-week assignments. Travel expenses are reimbursed once on an assignment.

“I would highly recommend traveling,” Jordan said. “I have had a wonderful experience with it.”

Med Travelers, an AMN Healthcare company, has numerous OT travel jobs and other allied health assignments available.

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