Find a Recruiter Who Actually Advocates for You
A recruiter who advocates for you puts every part of your pay, the hours you are promised and the cancellation terms in writing before you sign, tells you when a job is a poor fit and stays reachable once the assignment starts. This site is published by ProTherapy Staffing, an agency owned and run by licensed physical therapists, so hold its recruiters to the same test.
Every listing shows its weekly pay: see open travel therapy contracts.
Learn How It WorksHow the Recruiter-Therapist Relationship Works
When you sign up with a travel therapy staffing agency, you're assigned a recruiter. This person is your primary point of contact throughout your travel career. They find you assignments, negotiate on your behalf, handle paperwork, and help with housing and compliance.
But not all recruiters operate the same way. Some manage many travelers at a time and some far fewer, and some have clinical experience themselves. Ask a recruiter how many travelers they support and who covers for them when they are away.
Good recruiter relationships feel like a partnership. Your recruiter should understand your clinical preferences, respect your timeline, and give you the full pay package breakdown before you commit to anything. If that's not happening, it might be time to look elsewhere.
What Makes a Great Recruiter
Full Pay Transparency
A good recruiter gives you every line item in writing — hourly rate, stipends, travel reimbursement, benefits — before you sign. No vague estimates, no surprises.
Clinical Understanding
Good recruiters understand what different clinical settings actually involve. Bonus if they have a therapy background themselves — they'll advocate for you differently than someone who only knows sales.
Responsive Communication
When a contract is on the line, you need answers fast. Great recruiters respond within hours, not days. They keep you updated proactively instead of making you chase them.
No Pressure Tactics
If a recruiter pushes you to accept a position before you're ready, or uses urgency as a constant sales tactic, that's a sign they're prioritizing their numbers over your needs.
Honest About Fit
Great recruiters will tell you when a job isn't a good match — even if it means waiting longer to place you. They'd rather find the right assignment than rush you into one that falls apart.
Support After Placement
Your recruiter's job doesn't end when you start an assignment. Issues with housing, payroll, or clinical concerns should get the same attention after you've signed as before. If that's the kind of recruiter you want on your side, start here: Find my next contract.
Where to Find Good Recruiters
Two places to start:
Ask any agency how many travelers your recruiter supports, whether the recruiter has a clinical background, and for the full pay breakdown in writing. That includes ProTherapy Staffing, which publishes this site.
Ask other travelers for referrals. Join travel therapy communities online and ask who people have had good experiences with. Pay attention to which agencies other travelers consistently praise for communication and transparency — not just for having the most job postings.
Frequently asked questions
Does an agency have to offer paid time off?
The U.S. Department of Labor says: “The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not require payment for time not worked, such as vacations, sick leave or federal or other holidays.” “These benefits are matters of agreement between an employer and an employee (or the employee's representative).” Source: U.S. Department of Labor: Vacation Leave, read October 4, 2026.
Is a travel reimbursement part of my regular rate for overtime?
The U.S. Department of Labor says: “Reimbursement of the actual or reasonably approximate amount of expenses that an employee incurs while furthering the employer’s interests may be excluded from the regular rate.” Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet 56A, read October 4, 2026.
Can an agency pay a low taxable rate and make up the rest in stipends?
The IRS ruled: “Employer B’s per diem plan does not satisfy the business connection requirement of the accountable plan rules because Employer B pays the same gross amount to nurses regardless of whether the nurses incur (or are reasonably expected to incur) travel expenses related to Employer B’s business.” Source: Internal Revenue Bulletin 2012-37, Rev. Rul. 2012-25, read October 4, 2026.
Is my travel to an assignment counted as work time?
The U.S. Department of Labor says: “Travel that keeps an employee away from home overnight is travel away from home.” “Travel away from home is clearly work time when it cuts across the employee's workday.” Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Fact Sheet 22, read October 24, 2026.
Can an agency ask me to give back stipend money?
Under an accountable plan, the IRS says: “You must return any excess reimbursement or allowance within a reasonable period of time.” Source: IRS Publication 463 (2025), Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses, read October 24, 2026.