How to become a Traveling Physical Therapist

How to become a Traveling Physical Therapist

How to become a Traveling Physical Therapist 902 1127 Joaquim Miro

During my travels in Sri Lanka I met a very amiable French girl that was traveling with her brother. She told me her dream was to travel around the world but that she couldn’t because she was a physiotherapist. I answered that you can travel with any job as long as you truly want it. Because I truly believe that!

After conducting a lot of research, here is a list of the best options I found to help her and all other aspiring physio travellers like you follow their personal legend!

 

How To Become a Traveling Physical Therapist

Teach a Course in a Developing Country

marc traveling as a physio

Source: City Sports Physio Article on Traveling Physio

Meet Carl, who recently traveled to Buenos Aires to teach a course. Many people travel around teaching courses, and you could too!

This definitely requires a few years of prior experience, but if you have those under your belt, then this option is for you.

Work for an International Sports Team & Travel With Them

how to travel as a physio

If you work as a sports physio you can travel extensively by staying with them on the road. In addition, if you get a contract with a major sports team or specific player, this is probably one of the best paid jobs in the traveling physical therapist industry.

Here are some great resources to get you started;

  • Canada – Register to Find a Physio.
  • UK Physio Spot & Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
  • Forums PhysioBob’s Forum
  • Facebook – Join Groups related to Sports & Physiotherapy as they sometimes post jobs and opportunities
  • Twitter – Follow thought leaders in the physio industry as they also post jobs and opportunities
  • Google+ – Follow Google+ communities related to physiotherapy. You may be surprised to find your next opportunity here!

Work for Doctors Without Borders

 doctors without borders

There is an increasing demand for traveling physical therapists for emergency prevention. Go out for a year or two and help doctors in unstable regions, offering your skill set for a life-giving cause.

This is actually a great alternative way to become a traveling physical therapist! Not only are you traveling, but you are also helping others and honing your skill set for when you return home.

 

February 2017 Edit : You can also apply to work with The International Red Cross (ICRC), or Handicap International which offer great work opportunities abroad.

Work on a Cruise Ship

alternative ways to travel on a cruise ship

Cruise ships are always fighting for quality talent. You can work on a cruise ship as their primary physical therapist. Websites you can use to find these jobs include Cruiseshipjobs.com, and HotelCareer.com. Once you find the jobs you want, search for them on the specific cruise company website. This will give you a better chance of success and you won’t have to pay commission.

If this alternative way is of interest to you, here is a great article to get you started on how to land a traveling physiotherapist job on cruise ships, and a great forum with practical advice.

Learn the In’s and Out’s of How to Secure A Cruise Ship Job

Apply For An Internship With These Companies

WorkTheworld, Projects-Abroad, Go Abroad, One World 365, etc. These are all companies that will either: give you free room & board, or make you pay a lump sum that includes transportation, room & board, food, and activities during your internship.

These internships can get quite expensive, so this is suited to a student or recent graduate that needs international experience and has money to spend.  

Nevertheless, there are some hidden gems in these websites so they are still worth a look!

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Work in a High-End Hotel physio hotel job

HotelCareer.com gives you access to a job board that focuses on physical therapy opportunities in luxury hotels. This is a great way to make a salary while living in a different part of the world, not to mention free room and board!

Sometimes they also offer jobs on cruise ships so it’s worth the look.

Offer your services on WorkAway, Helpx, and WWOOF

This is another volunteer option that can allow you to travel and volunteer, without having to pay. It may be more difficult, but if you succeed the benefits will outweigh the time and effort you put into securing an opportunity.

What you can do is offer your physio skill sets to a HelpX, WorkAway, or WWOOF host. People in their community may be in dire need of a traveling physical therapist, and have never asked through these platforms. You are likely to receive many “No’s” but all you need is a few “Yes’s” to make a 6-month trip happen.

Legal Note: When advertising your services on these platforms I would advise you to check the insurance and health policies and standards in the country before you commit!

Apply for a Longer-Term Position in a Specific Country

 how to travel as a physio therapist

Going to a different country to work a full-time job for a year is just as much traveling as backpacking through SE Asia for a few months. You experience a specific culture on a much deeper level and get to know all the best places local places to eat and have fun. Many countries are looking for full-time, quality physiotherapists. You can find jobs on websites like PhysioHub, Trademe, and Learn 4 Good.

If you have skills or knowledge that is specific to your country, use it to secure a position overseas. Whether that be Australia, New Zealand, Qatar, Asian or African countries, it is certain that the practices will differ slightly from place to place- and you have knowledge to bring to other cultures!

Simply search “physio jobs in COUNTRY” or “traveling physical therapist jobs in COUNTRY” (or a derivative of these) on Google and you will learn about many opportunities in that country.

Related: Things to think about before you quit your job to travel the world

Write a Book or Build a Blog

 write a physio book

Take a year sabbatical and go around the world interviewing professional physiotherapists. Then write a book about your findings. This will probably allow you to land multiple other jobs in other countries as your network will grow drastically.

This one may be a bit farfetched, but I figured I would include it in the end to get the creative juices flowing!

Here is an amazing blogging course I recommend if you want to start generating extra income through a professional blog. As a Physical Therapist you have knowledge few others share and you can use that to your advantage.

When There’s a Will, There’s a Way

 when there's a will there's a way

Don’t give up!

If you truly want to become a traveling physical therapist, there are ways to do so.  I’m only getting you started.

These may require more research, outreach, and perseverance – but this is the price of following your dreams, no matter what your objective is.

I invite you to comment if you have ever been a traveling physical therapist or are planning to do so. If I’ve missed any alternative ways of traveling as a physio please let me know.

Until Next Time,

The Alternative Ways

Photo Credit: Thank you Pixabay for all the amazing pictures!

Joaquim Miro

As a passionate traveler, pianist, paraglider, digital marketer, blockchain and vr enthusiast, I always felt the urge to travel the world, but stopped myself because of my career. So I took a leap of faith to prove that it is possible to grow your career through travel. And it worked! Now I am on a mission to help you do the same.

All stories by : Joaquim Miro
36 Comments
  • It just shows you can travel with virtually any job if you’re prepared to think outside the box a bit. I’m not convinced it is particularly easy to travel as a physio, but there are a lot of possibilities. This is an interesting way to think about travel.

    • Very true! It definitely isn’t the easiest career to pursue for a life of travel but there are many Physio Therapists out there that want to travel but think they can’t. So I wrote this guide to inspire them to make it happen 🙂

      • Hi joaquim, I am Nikita. I am a physiotherapist from India. I have not only done my internship but even have few years of experience in government hospitals too. I am a foodie and a travel buff too and now this blog of yours gave me a sigh of relief. I request you to cite some more places where we go and apply to become a travel physical therapist.

        Thank you

        • Hi Nikita,

          That’s awesome to hear 🙂 Yes I can do some more research and ping you once it’s ready. Glad you like it and that this helped you in your research.

  • I always wonder when people say they can’t. No one seems to be able to do research or figure it out. Glad you have the know how!

    • Often times it’s because the information is all of over the place. This is why I am trying to put it all in the same place!

  • You’re right, where there’s a will there’s a way. If you want something badly enough you’ll find a way to do it. The methods you mentioned are specific to physio therapy but I’m going to check out HelpX, WorkAway, or WWOOF and a cruise ship with my skills.

  • kathy (from walkaboutwanderer.com) February 18, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Wow there are so many options when it comes to travelling with work. As a nurse I have the options of travelling and working. However I decided last year to leave my job for a while. I wanted complete freedom to travel wherever I want whenever I want.
    In the future I would definitely look at some of these options in a nursing capacity.

    • Hi Kathy,

      That’s amazing my mom is also a nurse! I will be writing a similar post soon about the different nursing options that are available. I’ll let you know once it is published 🙂

  • What an interesting post. I think that if you are committed and really want something then you can have it. It may take hard work, dedication, blood, sweat, and tears, but if it is truly what you desire, and you go after it with all that you have got, then you can have itl – or at least, a part of it. Good post. Thanks for sharing.

  • Diana – MVMT Blog February 18, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    Great post – I like that you provide specific companies to apply to for these jobs. I feel like there are actually a ton of opportunities for not just physios but doctors/nurses in general to work abroad since medical help is needed everywhere. Thanks for sharing this useful post!

    • So true! I will also be writing one specific to nurses and one specific to doctors! No matter your profession, if you want to travel you can. That’s what I believe 🙂

  • Michaela Terese Harrison February 19, 2017 at 12:56 am

    If I wish I had a skill the physio so that could travel the world and work. Great ideas for people to know you are trying achieve this. Great links I like the Hotel careers. Thank you for sharing so many options

  • This article is so true! I think you can travel around the world with any job, you just need to find the way! But I also think that is not just a matter of days, in order to create a flexible lifestyle with this type of jobs you need to spend time thinking about the best option. Not all the countries work the same way. But of course, if you truly want it, you will do it! 🙂
    Thanks for sharing!

  • There are so many great ways to make your career work for you – thanks for sharing the opportunities available to physios and masseurs. The links to specific sites are really helpful. Like your final graphic says – where there is a will there is a way – and that can go for most careers.

  • I can imagine that a qualified physio would be very much in demand overseas! Thanks for the roundup of different places to look for opportunities – goes to show that most skills can be transferred beyond your own borders.

  • The Travel Ninjas April 18, 2017 at 3:26 am

    You’re so right. The possibilities are everywhere. I bet your friend was shocked at how many great and practical ideas you discovered.

  • People really let their limiting beliefs get in the way of their dreams. What a great way to show that your job CAN allow you to travel as a physio therapist, if you just go out there and fine the way! You have done some great research in getting this info that may really help some people.

  • Danijela WorldGlimpses April 18, 2017 at 5:58 pm

    Well, I’m not in that line of work, but I just might leave it to you to make a list of possible jobs while travelling for my profession! 😉 You are right, if you want something you will find the way, or “the way” will find you if you’re serious enough about it. An opportunity will open up, sooner or later! 🙂

  • The possibilities are endless! I am blown away with how many creative ideas you have here :).

  • This is awesome- I especially like the last part: ‘When there is a will there is a way’. This is super handy for all the PT’s and others in related fields who want to travel while keeping their profession. I wish I could work remotely but that’s not really possible in the HR field. Fingers crossed, one day!

  • What a creative list! I would have never thought of all of these alternatives. The “teaching a course” would definitely apply to a lot of different occupations.

  • I love the many opportunities that you have presented, I honestly wouldn’t have thought of. Even though I’m not a physiotherapist, I’m pretty sure this will really help someone in this situation.

  • Sometimes it seems impossible to continue a career in another country, but this article really helped me realize how many different and creative opportunities there are that allow travel and to build upon a career instead of halting it. Thank you for the wide array of options and ideas (that really do spread across many disciplines)

  • And to top it all, you too, can have a great work out. Seriously amazing options. I wish I had known earlier. Or maybe it is not too late to do a course and get going. What say. Thanks for the inspiration

  • This is a great list of ideas! I am a history professor, not a physical therapist, but there are ways to apply these tips to any career area. I’d love to move to another country!

    • Hi Micki! Thanks for your comment! I will soon write a guide to traveling as a history professor as well so keep an eye out for it! 🙂

  • Thank you!! Just what i needed to read. I’m currently trying to get into another country as a physiotherapist but it has taken over a year to get the correct certification to practice abroad. I left my permanent job in April and have been racking my brain to see what else I can do but still travel. This was such an eye opener and exactly what i needed to stubble across. Given me new ideas, so, Thanks!!

  • This post is definitely making all the physiotherapists who want to travel around the world positive about their career!
    Great job!

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