ACAPT's Student Leadership Development Committee interviewed managers, clinicians and recruiters from diverse practice settings across the nation to provide insight on the current and future perspective of the PT job market.
Topics discussed include:
- Virtual interview tips,
- Negotiating salary and benefits and
- How to market your value as a new grad to clinics, travel companies, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals.
Specific questions were:
- What are your perceptions and thoughts on the current job market as it relates to students and new graduates across the nation, and in your practice setting specifically?
- What advice would you give students who are preparing for interviews as a new graduate? Do you have specific tips or tricks to consider for interviews that might be different during COVID-19? (Consider: online interviewing, interview etiquette, things
to say or avoid saying, etc.)
- What are your thoughts on graduates and the negotiation of salary or benefits during this pandemic?
- How can students best "market their value" in an interview during these times? (Some examples might include “upskilling” by getting familiar with telehealth, show strengths in digital marketing, taking leadership development courses, discuss
long-term commitment with the employer and discussing growth, etc.)
- How do you see the lasting effects of COVID-19 on the profession as a whole, and how do you see the current pandemic impacting your clinical operations in the future?
Interview videos
2020 PT students interviewed the following professionals about their thoughts on the PT job market:
Amy Grizzle (Outpatient)- graduated
from the University of Kentucky in 2003 with her Masters of Physical therapy. She joined KORT (Kentucky Orthopedic Rehab Team) in 2004 after spending a year practicing in Texas. While at KORT, Amy pursued her tDPT from Regis University and is now
a regional director. In her spare time, Amy enjoys spending quality time with her husband of 16 years and two children.
Carrie Cunningham (Hospital-Based)- is a graduate of St Louis University and the Clinical Manager
for Sports Medicine at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She previously owned her own private practice and is certified as a Therapeutic Pain Specialist. She has been active with the APTA throughout her career.
Joleen Hufetle (Travel/Staffing)- has been a Student Coordinator at Aureus Medical for almost five years, helping students
and new graduates explore and find their first career opportunities following graduation. Alongside her incredible team, they are available as a resource to answer questions about travel therapy, resume building, interview tips, and the overall job
market. Typically, you would find their team at a booth at your school's career fair, a presentation in your student association meeting, or at the national APTA events. As a leader in national healthcare staffing, Aureus Medical provides both permanent
(direct hire) and travel career opportunities for new graduates throughout the country.
Josh Bills (Outpatient to the Home)- is the Senior University Relations Specialist and has been with Fox Rehabilitation since
2017. He began working as a Recruitment Coordinator, working directly with new graduates and traveling to recruiting events. Currently he oversees the development and training of new and current University Relations team members.
Kalie Simmons- has worked for AMN Healthcare in the MedTravelers Allied division for 6 years. Kalie is currently a Director of Recruitment. She loves working with travel therapists and specializes in placing travel therapy teams on assignment across the country. In her spare time, she is usually doing something with her husband and 3 kids. They live in the Dallas, Texas area.
Kimberly Clayton- has been working for AMN Healthcare in the Med Travelers Allied division for 8 years. She is currently a Senior Recruiter. In her “free” time she is momming her 5 kiddos and spending time with her husband. They live in Grand Prairie, TX. Her new favorite quote for her therapists is “If you can’t beat fear, just do it scared” – Glennon Doyle.
Kitsie Goers (Skilled Nursing)- is a regional director of recruiting for HealthPRO Heritage. She manages recruiting for
many settings across the company, including but not limited to skilled nursing facilities, home health, and pediatrics.
Nick Weber & Ted Ziaylek- Nick Weber, MS, PT, CIMT, ATC, CSCS, NASM-PES, TPI, is the Chief Operating Officer of Team Rehabilitation,
a network of therapist-owned outpatient clinics spanning the Midwest and Georgia. Ted Ziaylek, PT, DPT, OCS, TPI is the clinic owner of Georgia's East Cobb-Marietta Team Rehabilitation location. He received his DPT and completed his Orthopedic
Residency program at Mercy University in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
Secili DeStefano- is the owner of OptimalMotion in Herndon, Virginia. She is a dedicated and energetic healthcare leader
with a 19 - plus history of bridging education, clinical practice, research, and association service to deliver innovative and successful care that improve lives locally, nationally and globally. Her experience pioneering healthcare technology optimizes
movement for outpatient orthopedic, sports, tactical athletes, and pelvic health clients.
Zachary Walston & Lindsay Waltson- Zachary Walston serves as the National Director of Quality and Research at PT Solutions
Physical Therapy. He earned his BS in Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, his Doctor of Physical Therapy from Emory University, and is a graduate of PT Solution’s Orthopaedic Residency
Program. Dr. Walston’s primary roles comprise of overseeing research efforts at PT Solutions, developing and teaching weekend continuing education courses, and developing quality improvement initiatives throughout the practice.
Lindsay Walston
is the Neurologic Residency Director and National Education Coordinator at PT Solutions and continues to practice physical therapy in Roswell, GA. She received her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science at Georgia College and State University
and her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Emory University. Lindsay graduated from Emory University’s Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency in 2015 and PT Solutions’ Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency in 2017. She has developed and
taught continuing education courses and conducted university lectures in the areas of concussion rehabilitation, outpatient neurologic rehabilitation, vestibular rehabilitation, strength and conditioning principles in geriatrics, and plan of care
development. She presented a lecture at National Student Conclave entitled “Bridging the Gap Between Orthopaedic and Neurologic Rehabilitation.” She enjoys teaching others how to better leverage skills across specialties to enable
them to become more well-rounded clinicians.