We are excited to bring you a guest post from our friend and former traveling physical therapist, Jeff Camara, about his journey and career development. He started off as a new grad Travel PT, and then has advanced his career from becoming a Clinic Director, to partial owner of the company, to leading an entire division within the company. We hope that his story will be inspirational to you about where you can take your career and how travel therapy might fit into your plans.

When I took my first travel physical therapy contract as a new grad PT, I was looking for professional flexibility, new experiences, and a chance to grow. I didn’t expect it would be the first step on a path that would eventually lead me to clinic leadership, partnership, and even a position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for a new division in the company. Here’s how it all started.

Taking the Leap with Travel Therapy

My journey began right after graduation with a six-month Travel PT contract for an outpatient clinic that quickly felt like a great fit. I loved the team and the work culture so much that I extended my contract another six months. When the company offered me a permanent position, I was flattered, but not yet ready to settle down. There were still other places to explore, skills to build, and experiences to gain.

After some time spent pursuing other opportunities, the company invited me back for a short contract to cover for a Clinic Director who was out on maternity leave. This experience gave me a taste of leadership. The clinic needed structure and direction, so I found myself stepping into an unofficial leadership role. The clinic’s performance improved, and after just three months, they offered me a permanent Clinic Director position. This time, I was ready to accept.

Growing Through Leadership in the Midst of Change

Accepting this role was a pivotal moment. The COVID-19 pandemic had begun to limit travel therapy options, and taking on the Clinic Director position offered stability during an uncertain time. It also presented a unique challenge: this clinic had been underperforming for years, and I saw this as my chance to turn things around.

Over the next year, we grew the team from two PTs to five, transforming the clinic into a top performer and establishing it as the gold standard within the company. We even became the training hub for all new hires, sharing our model and approach so that other clinics could replicate our success.

Pursuing Higher Education to Enhance Leadership

While I was proud of what we had accomplished, I wanted to continue growing as a leader. I decided to pursue an online MBA at Louisiana Tech. Balancing work and coursework was intense, but I managed to complete the 2-year program in just over a year. With this new knowledge, I felt ready to approach the company with ideas for the future.

This conversation led to an opportunity I hadn’t expected: a partnership with the company and part ownership of 18 clinics, plus the role of Chief Operating Officer in a new division. This was an amazing next step in my career development, and to think, it all started with me being a travel therapist at the company.

Bridging the Gap for Travelers

In my latest role with the company, I worked to help launch a concierge, out-of-network service to deliver physical therapy directly to people’s homes, workplaces, and other locations that fit their schedules and needs. In taking this next step and building my own career, it also created an opportunity for therapists to take more control of their time, money, and passion.

This is where TJC Concierge comes in—a true game-changer for physical therapists specializing in orthopedics, sports therapy, or other niche areas like pediatrics, TMJ, vertigo, and more. With a strong infrastructure already in place, we are one of the few private companies in the country offering two accredited residency programs—Orthopedic and Sports. All 12 of our current providers have completed these residency programs, and for them, the next step is transitioning to TJC Concierge, where they gain the freedom to take control of their careers outside the constraints of busy, in-network schedules. This model allows PTs to escape the grind of traditional clinics, providing them with the flexibility to work on their terms—while earning higher pay. Isn’t that what most travelers are looking for? What’s your plan once your travel therapy adventure ends?

What excites me most is the opportunity we have to make the residency program accessible to traveling therapists. Currently, our residencies are designed to help therapists reach their highest potential by earning the credentials and knowledge of an OCS (Orthopedic Clinical Specialist) or SCS (Sports Clinical Specialist). Now, I’m working on a way to make these residencies available to travelers, even while they’re on the road. This will allow them to earn their OCS or SCS, and eventually transition into our concierge model if desired, or pursue other opportunities as the next step for their careers. It’s an ambitious goal, but one that will hopefully expand beyond our location in Virginia and reach therapists across the country.

Looking Back and Forward

Five years ago, travel therapy gave me the flexibility, experience, and confidence to take risks. It exposed me to diverse environments, helped me refine my skills, and ultimately provided me with the tools to step into leadership roles. What I’ve learned along the way is that travel therapy can be more than just an adventure or a temporary job—it can serve as the foundation for a fulfilling and dynamic career.

The journey has been nothing short of transformative. Each new challenge has given me an opportunity to grow, both personally and professionally, in ways I never imagined. From that very first travel therapy contract to my current role, every step has shaped the path I’m on today.

For any PTs considering travel therapy, or those wondering where it might lead, remember this: the opportunities are endless. With the right mindset, the experiences and connections gained from travel therapy can unlock a future filled with growth, leadership, and success. And who knows, maybe you’ll even find yourself pursuing your passion with TJC Concierge in the future!

Written by Jeff Camara, PT, DPT, MBA

Jeff is originally from the New England region, having lived in Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston before completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree at American International College. Jeff began his career as a traveling physical therapist, with his first contract at The Jackson Clinics in Virginia, where he currently resides. He later pursued an MBA from Louisiana Tech University and continues to blend his passion for physical therapy with his business acumen.

Contact info: https://qr.link/chr9a8

Thank you, Jeff, for a very informative and inspirational post! For those who are considering getting started with travel therapy to continue advancing your own career, please reach out to us at Travel Therapy Mentor with questions or for help getting started!