Q.        What is “travel therapy” and how does it differ from “contract therapy”?

A.        A “contractor” is generally a candidate who lives locally to the client but is compensated hourly through a staffing agency.   The candidate may or may not elect to receive benefits in lieu of additional pay.    A “traveler,” like a contractor, is also paid hourly, but has arrived from out of town for the duration of the assignment and usually qualifies for tax-free per-diem to pay for the expenses associated with living out of town while maintaining a residence back home while on assignment.   Contractors, because they are local, do not have these additional expenses and are not eligible for per diem or housing.   

Q.        What are the advantages and disadvantages of travel/contract positions compared to permanent placement?

A.        Travel or Contract placement can be preferable for a therapist in several situations.  For one, pay is generally much higher when contracting.  If you are traveling in a state or city away from your permanent place of residence you may be eligible tax-free as per-diem to cover the cost of your housing and meals while working away from your primary residence.    This can amount to a difference of as much as $5.00 per hour more than if you were contracting in your own hometown.    Traveling/contracting is also ideal if you are looking to explore new areas of the country for a while.   

Advantages of permanent placement would include opportunities for professional advancement – a permanent employee will generally be offered promotions long before a contractor.   Benefits may be better in a permanent environment.  Generally school districts have excellent benefits;  and although the pay is much lower for district employees vs. contracting, candidates with large families may find that the better benefits package outweighs the lower annual salary.

Q.        What types of contract/travel assignments are available and how long are they?

A.        PediaStaff is working with school districts, private therapy companies, hospitals, outpatient clinics and more.   Most school districts are looking for a full school-year commitment, but sometimes will consider a shorter duration.    Hospitals and clinics are often looking for maternity leaves or coverage while they search for a permanent candidate.  Those assignments are generally 13 weeks and up.   

Q.        Will PediaStaff be able to find me an assignment anywhere I want to go?

A.        Sometimes yes, and sometimes no.   Many large metropolitan cities will not consider travelers from out of state because of their large PRN pools locally.  If you are open to be one or two hours outside the major city of your choice your chances of landing the assignment close to where you want to be will improve drastically.   In rural and suburban areas, the need for travelers generally is dependent on whether there are ample local candidates to start with and also whether there is a school graduating candidates in the area you are looking to work.    No matter, PediaStaff will always try to find you an assignment regardless of expected market conditions. 

Q.        How do I choose an assignment?

A.        Once PediaStaff has found a client interested in your background, a telephone interview will be set up and conducted.   If you and the client continue to be interested, you give us the word and we will get you on your way! 

Q.        What happens after I am hired for an assignment?

A.        PediaStaff will help you fill out prescreening forms, and guide you through the enrollment process.   You will receive a contract and be instructed on where and how to get your fingerprints done and any blood tests that need to be taken for TB and Hepatitis B.  You will become an employee of our contract staffing services provider.  That staffing service will conduct a background check, drug screen and FBI fingerprint check on you.

Q.        How do I go about getting licensure and how long will it take?

A.        PediaStaff provides links to sites with updated licensure application information on our website.   Each state has different rules and regulations, along with their own detailed applications.  Most require transcripts for new grads and verification of licensure from other states that you have been previously licensed as well as verification from your national professional licensing organization (FSBPT, ASHA, NBCOT) that you have passed the national board exam in your discipline.  Licensure is also often available by reciprocity for some states in disciplines if you have been licensed for a certain number of years in another state.

Q.        Do I have to sign an extended contract?

A.        No.  You only need to commit to the one assignment at a time.

Q.        What benefits does PediaStaff offer?

A.        PediaStaff is a staffing and placement agency.  PediaStaff utilizes a contract staffing service provider that will serve as your employer for the duration of the assignment and offers a national medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.  In addition, expense reimbursement for costs associated with moving to the assignment location, licensure reimbursement, CEU allowance, as well as 401K, weekly paychecks and direct deposit are provided. 

Q.        How do I get to my assignment?

A.        Generally we recommend you drive to your assignment so you have your own car to use during the assignment.  The cost of your trip to the assignment will be reimbursed by the employer after the start of the assignment up to a designated cap based on the length of the assignment. 

Q.        Do you provide housing or is there an allowance?

A.        The contract staffing services provider PediaStaff utilizes operates on the per diem system rather than providing the actual housing.  This means you will receive an hourly portion of your pay – tax free, that is to be used for your housing.    We believe this is a superior system to that of providing housing because you can choose how much to spend and where to live rather than having us decide for you. 

Q.        What is tax-free “per diem” and who is eligible?

A.        Tax-Free Per Diem is an allowance defined by the IRS as money that can be paid to you (tax-free) to cover living expenses incurred during the assignment. Candidates living away from their permanent residence (defined as where you are currently paying rent or mortgage) are eligible for per-diem.  The spirit of this allowance is to exempt from taxation any duplicate expenses affiliated with work that would not be necessary were you living at home. 

Q.        What type of compensation package should I expect?

A.        Compensation is quite competitive.   Exact pay will differ based on geographic location and the bill rate we negotiate with the client.  You will know exactly what rate is being offered before you are asked to commit to the client. 

Q.        When and how will I be paid?

A.        Contractors are paid weekly and direct deposit is available.

Q.        How are taxes handled?

A.        Contractors are W-2 employees and taxes are withheld from each paycheck based on exemptions selected during the enrollment period.

Q.        What type of support is provided if I have a clinical or administrative problem?

A.        PediaStaff offers career support through its staff of clinical support coordinators from the day you begin your assignment through its completion.  Support is available 24/7 by licensed therapists.

Q.     Will I be required to carry my own liability insurance?

A.        Yes.   Although your employer carries liability insurance for your assignment, having your own insurance protects you in the event you are named as a private individual in any claim.   If you need to purchase this to work for us, it is a reimbursable expense.