As a physical therapist (PT) and others in high demand fields, we have all dealt with recruiters. Especially if you have ever disclosed on a public website that you are looking for a job. You have probably then received countless emails, phone calls, snail mail and occasionally even a text from recruiters who claim to have “the best positions” anywhere and everywhere across the globe. In 2009, I started a staffing company called Physio 4 Hire, that specializes in the permanent placement of physical therapists in Chicago, IL in hope of making a difference.
I began this company after I attempted to go through a recruiting agency to find a job. The recruiters I worked with really left a bad taste in my mouth as they attempted to “help” me find a new job. First off, they were not therapists. They did not care about patient load, atmosphere of the facility, patient populations, or even my location preferences. I asked a number of recruiters for a permanent position in an outpatient location in the city of Chicago. The first place they sent me for an interview was at an outpatient location in the basement of a hospital on the very south side of Chicago. It was a very “cold and clinical” setting that didn't smell great and had very old equipment (the hospital is now shut down). And to further add insult, I found out it was a 3 month contracted position during my interview vs. the recruiter updating me on that detail. Needless to say, I respectfully declined this position. When I called the recruiter to share my experience with her, I thought she would then have other opportunities for me. To my surprise, the recruiter was upset that I was not interested in the position. She then began to explain the great benefits and money that the position offered and implied that I was pretty much “crazy” not to take it. As I spoke with her more I learned that she worked in an office in Kansas, had never been to Chicago, and was definitely NOT a therapist. Now I know all recruiters are not all bad, but most of them I have dealt with were more interested in placing me and making money than making me happy. This experience is what made me want to start a staffing agency that would change all of that.
I opened up Physio 4 Hire with my friend and fellow PT, Sanjoy Roy. We knew as PTs that most therapists were actually looking for full-time positions that were permanent, that offered the compensation they were seeking and provided the atmosphere they would enjoy working in at that company. Most therapists who were looking for contract work were only looking to do it short term or were using it as a means to “check-out” several locations without the commitment.
So, through Physio 4 Hire, we felt that we could provide the service that no other staffing or recruiting was offering. (At least that we found) We would provid quality permanent placement positions in the city we knew well, and only within our field of physical therapy. This was done to gain trust from our therapists and show them that we truly understand their needs. We have had opportunities to place nurses, OTs, and SLPs but have refrained because of our lack of knowledge in those areas. We feel that knowing the field that you are placing a therapist in is key to a successful placement. We define a successful placement as one who does not feel the need to find another job long term and shares with others about how our service differs from the national firms.
Now that we have gained significant experience in the staffing business, we are continually trying to find better ways to staff therapists that gives them a true sense we are here to help and not just sales people looking to make a quick dollar by placing them in any location we find. As a therapist myself, I know how daunting finding the right job can be and how resistant I am to use a recruiter. Therefore, in our search to provide the best care to therapists, I hope that you can take 2 minutes to answer 5 questions for me in a survey. After I complete this research, I will let everyone that participates know the results. If our theories prove correct and we pivot the direction of Physio 4 Hire, we hope that all future PTs, and maybe the rest of the job seeking professionals, may benefit from this new service.
I thank you for your help! Visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YH7KBKR for the quick 5 question survey. I promise... two minutes.
- Michael
