Angela Thompson - So You Want to be a Travel Social Worker? Say Less!

Copyright 2021. by Angela Thompson
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ISBN Number (paperback): 978-0-578-97313-5
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GraceMel Publishing
Printed in the United States of America
Birmingham, Alabama
November 2021

This book is dedicated to

All my Badass Travel Social Workers.

Preface

In 2015, I was exhausted from being overworked and underpaid. I was tired! I thought to myself; there have to be more social work opportunities available with better pay and less stress. I searched the internet diligently until I came across travel social work. I was so intrigued with the idea of travel social work because I always wanted to travel but did not think social work would afford me such an opportunity. I contacted a recruiter who provided information on what was needed to start my application process. The recruiter informed me that at least a year of masters level medical social work experience is required to become marketable for travel social work assignments. Say less! I developed a plan to obtain the necessary expertise. In April 2016, I informed the recruiter that I was ready to apply for assignments. I provided the requested documents for the application process. The recruiter submitted me for a San Jose, California position, and I had a phone interview the next day. The interviewer asked about my available start date, and I told her within a month. I was not chosen for the position because she wanted someone who will start as soon as possible. The recruiter submitted me for a 13-week assignment in San Francisco, California; the phone interview went well, and I was offered the position with a start date within two weeks. I verbally accepted the assignment. Once I received the contract, I reviewed and signed it. I then put in my two-week resignation letter to my employer. I remember my friends and family being so surprised that I quit my job to pursue a temporary job assignment across the country. I was nervous and excited as I did not know what the future held, but I knew my home would always be there. A special moment I will never forget is my late grandmother praying for me before I left for San Francisco, California.

At the time, I was not aware of anyone working as a travel social worker. So, I searched social media to obtain personal experiences and advice but to no avail. I finally found one person on LinkedIn who offered limited information. Then, I researched some travel nursing sites for guidance. In the beginning, there was a lot of trial and error as I had no one to offer advice regarding travel social work.

Once I started traveling and putting #travelsocialworker on Instagram, I received messages from social workers wanting advice regarding travel social work, which inspired this guide. I hope that my experience and tips will be highly beneficial as you embark upon this incredible journey.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to my Lord and Savior, for I am nothing without you.

Thanks to my parents for their love and for allowing me to stay at home while working on this book.

Huge thank you to my sister from another mister, Denotra Logan, for your self-publishing book program and guidance; I am grateful for your friendship and encouragement. Check out her self-love platform, Soulkation. Thank you to all my friends and family who have provided love and support throughout this process.

How To Utilize This Book

It is my pleasure to introduce you to the hidden jewel of the social work profession known as Travel Social Work.

You are not reading this book by accident. You are here because you want to travel and do not know how or where to start the process.

There was a time when I was in your position. I was searching to find travel social workers to gain insight, and it was very challenging. Please use my book as a step-by-step guide through the travel social work application process. As you finish reading this book, you will have a good understanding of what travel social work entails, and you will know if travel social work is the right path for you. If in the end, you are determined that this is the right path for you, you will enter this profession with great insight. If you are an experienced social work traveler, I hope this book will provide more resources and tips to continue your travel journey.

This book is for social workers ready to gain financial freedom and travel within the United States. Most people think that the social work profession is not lucrative, but I am here to tell you that travel social work is very lucrative. Medical social workers now have the opportunity to experience the same benefits as other travel medical professionals.

Chapter One
The Travel Social Worker

What is a Travel Social Worker?

Travel social workers are masters level social workers. They work in short-term roles at hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities to fill gaps in areas where there are social work shortages. In addition, independent healthcare staffing agencies employ them.

Who Can Pursue Travel Social Work?

Single social workers have the freedom to relocate without having to consider children or a partner. Married social workers can travel with their spouse and/or visit their spouse throughout the assignment. Both younger and older social workers can pursue travel as there is no age limit to traveling. Social workers with dependents can travel as they can make childcare accommodations and utilize their support systems. Social workers with pets can travel with their pets as many housing options are pet friendly; a pet fee is required for hotels and apartments. Retired social workers who would like to re-enter the workforce can take their skillset on the road as they enjoy work and play.

Criteria to become a Travel Social Worker:

• Masters of Social Work (MSW) Degree.
• At a minimum, one year of post-graduate medical social work experience (discharge planning) for acute care setting; home care experience for home health care setting; experience working in mental health for psychiatric assignments.
• Depending on the state, a social work license
  may be required.

Many travel assignments are in acute settings. If you are not comfortable working as a discharge planner at your current hospital, I would strongly advise getting more hospital experience before accepting a travel assignment. Most facilities will expect you to learn quickly and work independently. Many RN case managers and medical social workers will tell you that it takes a good year to become comfortable working as a discharge planner. Minimal discharge planning experience may limit your assignment options to home health care or outpatient settings. If you want to pursue travel social work, it is essential to get adequate medical social work experience. If you are currently in graduate school, I suggest requesting your social work placement in an acute setting. Getting to know the case manager director could help you land a job as a medical social worker post-grad school. If you have your MSW but do not have medical social work experience, you can look for PRN positions at your local hospitals.