[horizontal ellipsis]what a ship is[horizontal ellipsis]it's not just a keel and a hull and a deck and sails-that's what a ship needs. But what a ship is[horizontal ellipsis]is freedom.

Captain Jack Sparrow

Pirates of the Caribbean

Do you yearn to indulge your restless spirit and seek your fortune beyond the horizon? Then let your skills as a physical therapist (PT), occupational therapist (OT), or speech-language pathologist (SLP) be the ship that takes you on the cross-country or overseas adventure you've always dreamed of, both personally and professionally.

"Taking a travel assignment gives you the freedom to do things you wouldn't have done otherwise," says Mary Kay Hull, vice president of recruitment for American Traveler Staffing Professionals. "As a traveler, the details of daily living are taken care of while you see the country and build your resume-all at the same time. It's an opportunity that not all professionals have."

Road trip

For Christine Abdulky, PT, the adventure started just after college graduation with a cross-country trek from her home state of New York to a remote area in Oregon. There she worked a travel assignment as a PT with American Traveler and fulfilled her desire to experience different places and a variety of professional settings before deciding where to settle permanently. Her road trip, with travel expenses covered, took her to many remote national sites, including The Badlands of South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Crater Lake National Park.

At only 26 years of age, Abdulky says that taking travel assignments has also given her extensive professional experience, including acute care, rehabilitation, and in the orthopedic setting. "I'm learning more because by going to different places, I see different philosophies of giving and managing care," she says. "But you do have to be comfortable being on your own. If you have a bad first day, chances are you won't have someone you can vent to yet, but if you're good at making friends quickly, that definitely helps."

Making new friends from a variety of backgrounds is a highlight of being a traveler for Jeffrey Marsch, PT. The first travel assignment for the Pennsylvania native was with American Traveler in Mountain View, Calif.

"In California, I worked with a lot of people from around the world with many cultural differences-I liked that," he says. "As a traveler, you have to go with the flow and like to meet new people. But even if you aren't that kind of person in the beginning, if you are willing to learn and change, you can become that person."

Marsch also likes the flexibility that the well-paid travel assignments give him to pursue other interests. Because housing costs are covered, he can save money during his 13-week assignments and someday afford to take a break to do some writing or to work in one of the upcoming presidential campaigns.

Sara Graham, MA, CCC-SLP, an SLP with Med Travelers (formerly TheraTech Staffing), also touts the financial advantages of working on the road.

"Because I don't have to pay rent, it gives me the opportunity to pay off my student loans," she says, adding that her travel agency has worked with her to ensure that she's satisfied with her housing.

In addition to free housing, other benefits provided by many travel agencies can include paid utilities, 401(k) plan, paid liability insurance and health insurance premiums, workers' compensation coverage, opportunity to earn bonuses, travel reimbursement, and competitive pay rates.

Graham, who is an experienced traveler and has worked in Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and South Carolina, notes a downside to offered benefits. "Travel agencies may not offer sick time or vacation pay benefits, and if you don't work your 40 hours a week during an assignment you could get financially penalized," she says.

Ready for action

Travelers say that it can be stressful to quickly learn your way around a new facility and efficiently achieve the productivity expectations of employers.

"Facilities will want to utilize your time 100% to get the best bang for the buck," says Graham.

However, if you're able to hit the ground running, are adaptable and a problem solver, and have good communication skills, there's often the opportunity to turn a favorite travel assignment into a permanent position.

"Many places will extend your contract if there is a need, and there is often the opportunity to take a full-time job," says Kamaree Main, an OT with Med Travelers.

Main's assignments have included Maryland and Colorado, where she discovered she would eventually like to settle. Meanwhile, she's taking advantage of the unique experience traveling offers to mold her own treatment style.

"Being in different settings, I'm learning a variety of techniques," says Main. "You can also see how some facilities are integrating their PTs, OTs, and SLPs in a holistic approach to care."

Angela Amedro, DPT, also appreciates the wide variety of settings in which she's worked in the last 2 years as a travel physical therapist with Med Travelers. Her assignments have included working with orthopedic, neurology, pediatric, geriatric, inpatient, outpatient, subacute rehabilitation, and prison populations.

"I love the flexibility of traveling," says Amedro. "I would recommend it to anyone who wants a change in his or her personal or professional life." So think about boarding that ship of opportunity and sailing off to new opportunities.

Land the perfect travel assignment

The key to securing a great travel assignment includes taking advantage of the expertise of travel agency recruiters and knowing the reasons why you want to travel, such as opportunity for recreation, professional growth, or for financial reasons.

"Once recruiters know what's driving you to travel, it will help them meet your personal goals," says Hull.

Hull also suggests that prospective travelers keep an open mind when considering an assignment. "Remember that you're not making a lifelong decision. It's short-term (usually 13 weeks), and every experience is wonderful for a different reason," says Hull. "Let the recruiter present the opportunities because you never know what could be exciting for you."

For example, one of the most requested destinations for new travel therapists is Hawaii. As dreamy as it may seem, recruiters have a realistic picture of what living in paradise is really like-you can't bring your own car along and everyday necessities, such as milk, are extremely expensive. Recruiters have a treasure trove of knowledge of alternative places, such as San Diego, Calif., or Florida, which may offer many of the same benefits, such as sun and beach, without the drawbacks.

Because travelers usually only have an opportunity to evaluate a potential employer through a brief phone interview, here are some suggested questions to ask before making a decision to take an assignment:

* How does the department work as a team?

* Why did the last therapist leave?

* What kind of supplies, equipment, and resources are available?

* Can I order supplies if needed?

* Does the organization employ other PTs, OTs, or SLPs who could be resource persons?