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Posts from the ‘Occupational Therapy’ Category

Apr 18

De-stress During OT Month

Relaxed_LOccupational therapists help individuals in all life stages by playing a vital role in the outcome of their care and recovery. Through occupational engagement, these healthcare professionals promote the health and wellness of those who are affected by injury, illness, or disease.

Like many healthcare careers, an occupational therapist can at times find themselves in a fast-paced and changeable environment. The same applies to those who hold positions as travel therapists. An Occupational Therapist (OT) who is a traveler can experience the same high demands as those who are working in a permanent setting, but may not have a local emotional support structure to help them weather the storm.

If you or a loved one is a traveling OT, then you know firsthand how important it is to take time for yourself to de-stress during those difficult days that keep you on the run. As April is National Occupational Therapy Month, make it a point to sit-back, relax, and spend a little extra time focusing on yourself.  Here are a few simple techniques that can help you de-stress.  Read More

Apr 1

It’s National Occupational Therapy Month!

OT-360_LWelcome to National Occupational Therapy Month, an annual celebration during the month of April that brings awareness to the benefits and importance of occupational therapy. We would like to thank the occupational therapists and certified occupational therapy assistants who directly affect the lives of their patients and are such an important part of our business. At 360 Healthcare Staffing we could not do our jobs without the willingness and dedication of traveling occupational, physical, and speech therapists.

Occupational therapists are a valuable part of the patient care team. These healthcare professionals help individuals recover quickly from injury or illness through therapeutic activities. They also educate patients with disabilities on the ways to safely perform day-to-day tasks. By motivating patients to achieve personal goals, occupational therapists help individuals live independently and comfortably through all stages of life. Occupational therapists are trained in several areas of patient care including but not limited to educational settings, mental health settings, acute care, and skilled nursing facilities.

Travel therapists keep healthcare settings across the nation staffed with professionals that directly impact patient care and recovery. Travel therapy is a key factor for the success of many healthcare facilities. This form of employment ensures that hospitals, clinics, and skilled nursing facilities retain the correct number of staff to sufficiently evaluate all patients. When a hospital patient load suddenly increases, it is appropriate for that facility to hire on a temporary basis, as the number of patients could decrease just as quickly. Read More

Apr 1

Occupational Therapy Month

OT-Aegis_LNational Occupational Therapy month is a time to bring awareness to the benefits and importance of occupational therapy. We want to take this opportunity to thank our occupational therapists for their commitment to improving the lives of thousands of individuals every day of the year.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), “Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants promote the health and participation of people, organizations, and populations through engagement in occupation.” The therapeutic activities they promote help treat illness, injury, or disabilities in all stages of life.

If you or a loved has ever received assistance through a rehabilitation program after being ill or injured, then you likely know firsthand the vital role an occupational therapist plays in helping someone regain their health. Not only do these healthcare professionals provide the necessary assistance to promote recovery from injury or illness, but they also help individuals achieve personal goals for living comfortably and independently.  Occupational therapists look for the difficulties that limit a patient’s ability to complete basic daily functions, such as eating, dressing, and bathing. In addition, they assess individual’s impairment, life roles, and aspirations.

These healthcare specialists are trained in several areas of patient care including but not limited to educational settings, mental health settings, acute care, and skilled nursing facilities. The AOTA lists several examples of the way that occupational therapy is implemented in skilled nursing facilities. These include:

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Aug 16

Occupational therapists help those with Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating illness that affects at least 5.4 million Americans, with one in eight older Americans having the disease. Occupational therapists offer treatments that can promote safety and enhance a patient’s quality of life, in addition to providing comfort and care for people with the disease and their families.

Alzheimer’s disease affects people’s personalities, behavior and memory. With occupational therapy, all of these areas can be addressed, depending on the stage of the disease, the setting and the therapy focus.

Occupational therapists are challenged to create a balance between patient safety and maximum independence. As a result of adding occupational therapy to their care plan, Alzheimer’s patients may see an improvement in the ability to use their cognitive skills, activities of daily living and other activities that help them to be more independent and experience a better quality life for a longer period of time.

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Aug 6

Wisconsin travel therapy jobs hit the spot

For the adventurous travel therapist, a 13-week assignment in Wisconsin offers a state full of varied and interesting sites. From romantic cabins with cliff-side seclusion to sandy beaches to urban hot spots with exciting nightlife, Wisconsin offers a full range of fun activities and beautiful scenery, to boot.

Physical therapists, physical therapy assistants and speech-language pathologists are high-demand positions in Wisconsin right now. Three of the hottest areas for these jobs are Marshfield, Richland Center and Niagara. These opportunities include completion bonuses, sometimes up to $5,000, and many 360 Healthcare Staffing employees enjoy their Wisconsin experience so much that they “re-book” and stay for two or three more rotations.

360 Healthcare Staffing also offers temporary-to-permanent placements in Wisconsin, giving each employee an opportunity to “try out” a location before committing to a permanent placement.

So let’s take a closer look at this state and what makes it great.

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Aug 6

Freedom through Functionality helps older adults stay healthy and fit

I was recently reading about the benefits of exercise. I know it’s a good idea, but I am always impressed by just how much evidence exists in support of both aerobic and strengthening exercise, particularly for people over 65.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, older people of all ages and physical conditions can benefit from exercise and from staying physically active. It gives them the freedom and independence that allows them to live a full and active life.

Though we all know how important it is to stay active, it is equally important to exercise safely. Did you know that one out of three adults age 65 and older fall each year? One of Aegis Therapies core programs, Freedom Through Functionality (FTF), is modeled on clinical evidence and research about strength building. It is a highly effective way to increase an older person’s mobility, independence and alleviate his or her risk of falls.

Freedom Through Functionality is a unique machine-based strength-building program for seniors and includes Nautilus equipment modified specifically for the senior population, exercise programs developed by experts in geriatric rehabilitation and the clinical expertise to produce desired results.

The Nautilus equipment has comfortable seats and pads for postural support, controlled range of motion, enclosed weights and smaller weight increments to ensure that no matter what a person’s age or physical condition may be, they can exercise safely and to their physical potential. The program is monitored by trained personnel who work with individuals and make sure that they perform the exercises correctly.

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Aug 1

Ten ways to manage stress as a travel therapist

For physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech-language pathologists, helping others is a way of life. Day in and day out, these professionals provide compassionate, quality care with dozens of patients on a one-on-one basis. But caring for others can make them vulnerable to depletion, stress and fatigue. So how do these helpers help themselves?

Learning to manage the pressure is key because if they don’t keep themselves strong and in balance, they are not able to be there others. In fact, if therapists are stressed and don’t have a good outlet for that stress, they can potentially put their patients at risk. This is because people are more error-prone when they’re stressed, burned out, fatigued or ill.

Here are ten sure-fire ways to cope effectively with stress:

1. Exercise. This earns a top spot on the list because it’s such a powerful tool for reducing stress and increasing a sense of well-being. Study after study points out this fact. And you don’t have to run a marathon to reap the benefits—moderate, regular exercise is sufficient, from walking and yoga to gardening and swimming.

2. Keep a gratitude journal. Counting life’s blessings is an ancient practice. Almost 2,000 years ago, Roman poet Ovid said, “Thanks are justly due for boons unbought.” So buy yourself a small journal at your local bookstore, put it in your purse or bag and start keeping track of the wonderful things in your life. Do it every day and don’t repeat yourself. You’ll discover all manner of big and small things that make your heart grateful. Plus, this journal is a comfort when you’re feeling down—it’s a reminder that even in tough times, you are luckier than you think.

3. Identify stressors. The same things don’t stress everybody out. So know your stressors, acknowledge those triggers and develop a plan to deal with them. Some events are out of your control and require acceptance. Others respond to action.

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Jul 25

The Golden State offers golden opportunities for travel therapists

For occupational therapists and physical therapists, travel therapy in California is an exciting proposition. These are hot positions in high demand, particularly in the Fresno, Merced, Madera, Sanger, Bakersfield and Shafter areas, fantastic locations between Los Angeles and the Bay area.

These locations often offer completion bonuses, sometimes up to $15,000, after a 13-week assignment. Pay is quite competitive, and at 360 Healthcare Staffing, we also offer temporary-to-permanent placements in California. Essentially, it is a 13-week “try out” for an assignment before committing to a permanent position.

Here’s more about these cities with positions in high demand:

Fresno: This is the largest metropolitan city in Central California’s San Joaquin Valley with half a million people, and Fresno County is the top agricultural producer in the nation. The area has gorgeous weather year-round and, like the other cities listed here, easy access to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon national parks.

From the Fresno Art Museum to the Philharmonic, the arts calendar is full. The city attracts world-renown headline entertainers from Andrea Bocelli to Bon Jovi. And, it’s pedestrian-friendly: A 2011 study by Walk Score ranked Fresno the 26th most walkable of the fifty largest U.S. cities.

Merced: With more than 80,000 people, Merced is located in the Central Valley of California, about 110 miles southeast of San Francisco and 310 miles northwest of Los Angeles. The city offers a wide variety of attractions, historical sites, shopping and dining opportunities for the traveling therapist. The city is particularly proud of its arts and culture, from galleries at their Multicultural Center to live performances at Playhouse Merced. Be sure to check out the Big Valley Arts & Culture Festival, Central Valley Blues Festival and MERCO Cycling Classic.

Madera: Also located in the picturesque San Joaquin Valley, Madera has more than 61,000 residents and draws visitors from around the world. The area has a colorful history and heritage reflected in events like the Sierra Arts Trail, Coarsegold Peddlers Fair, Indian Fair Days and Madera Wine Trail Weekends.

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Jul 6

Feedback from travel therapists essential for improved experiences

When you accept a travel therapy position with 360 Healthcare Staffing, we value your experience and feedback. Throughout your assignment, we will stay in regular contact with you to assist with your transition and gauge any needs you may have in your new position. This blog reviews the information we request from you and how we use it to better your travel experience with 360.

Your feedback helps 360 when you tell us:

• How can we help make travel experience better

• Specific types of situations that were positive and negative on assignment

• Feedback for the 360 internal staff on our performance

• What you would like to be different on your next assignment

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Jun 20

Sunshine and fun: travel therapy in Florida

For occupational and physical therapists interested in fun in the sun, Florida is hot, hot, hot. The Sunshine State is one of only nine U.S. states that doesn’t charge a state income tax, and it has the longest coastline in the contiguous United States, about 1,350 miles of sandy beaches and sunshine. Sounds like paradise for your occupational therapy or physical therapy practice.

From the whooping crane to the West Indian manatee, Florida offers exciting wildlife, too. Florida is the fourth most populous and the eighth most densely populated of the 50 states. The state capital is Tallahassee, the largest city is Jacksonville and the Miami metropolitan area is the largest metropolitan area in the southeastern U.S.

See all of this during a 13-week assignment in one of our in-demand areas. These include:

  • Fort Myers
  • Tampa Bay: including all of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties
  • Sarasota/Bradenton/Venice
  • Springhill/Brooksville
  • Central Florida: especially Winter Haven, Eustis and Titusville

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