Clinical Setting
Outpatient Therapy Jobs Across All 50 States
Outpatient therapy is a clinical setting where patients visit a clinic for scheduled rehabilitation sessions. Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing places physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists in outpatient positions across 8 subspecialties, with free 1:1 mentorship included on every assignment.
Outpatient therapy at a glance:
- Guaranteed minimum of NET $100,000-$130,000+ per year (PT, OT, SLP)
- Placements for PT, OT, and SLP nationwide
- 8 subspecialties, from general orthopedics to lymphatics
- Free 1:1 mentorship from a licensed clinician
- Predictable schedules and diverse caseloads
- 98% on-time start rate across all 50 states
Outpatient is one of the most popular settings for travel therapists nationwide.
About Outpatient Therapy
What Is Outpatient Therapy?
Outpatient therapy is clinic-based rehabilitation where patients visit on a scheduled basis for treatment of orthopedic injuries, post-surgical recovery, neurological conditions, chronic pain, and sports-related injuries. Unlike inpatient settings, outpatient therapists see patients who live at home and travel to the clinic for their sessions. This creates longer therapeutic relationships, measurable functional progress, and the opportunity to specialize in specific patient populations.
Outpatient is one of the most popular settings for travel therapists because of its predictable schedules, diverse caseloads, and wide availability of contracts across the country. Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing places physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists in outpatient clinics in all 50 states, with free one-on-one mentorship included with every assignment.
Outpatient Subspecialties
What Subspecialties Are Available in Outpatient?
Outpatient therapy is not one-size-fits-all. The setting encompasses a wide range of subspecialties, each with its own patient populations, treatment techniques, and clinical skill sets. Gold Coast mentors help you navigate these subspecialties so you can pursue the clinical path that interests you most.
General Orthopedics
General orthopedic outpatient clinics treat patients recovering from fractures, joint replacements, ligament repairs, tendon injuries, and degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. Therapists in this subspecialty use manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, modalities, and patient education to restore mobility and reduce pain. General orthopedics is an excellent starting point for new graduates and a strong foundation for therapists building toward more specialized practice.
Sports Orthopedics
Sports orthopedic clinics focus on athletes and active individuals recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions, rotator cuff repairs, labral tears, stress fractures, and overuse injuries. Therapists in sports settings often work closely with orthopedic surgeons and athletic trainers, using sport-specific rehabilitation protocols to return athletes to competition. Performance testing, plyometric progressions, and return-to-sport criteria are central to this subspecialty.
Neuro Orthopedics
Neuro orthopedic outpatient clinics bridge neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Patients in this subspecialty may present with conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, peripheral neuropathy, or post-stroke movement impairments that also involve orthopedic components. Therapists use a combination of neuromuscular re-education, balance training, and traditional orthopedic interventions to address these complex presentations.
Pelvic Health
Pelvic health is a rapidly growing outpatient subspecialty that treats conditions including pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, prenatal and postpartum musculoskeletal pain, and oncology-related pelvic rehabilitation. Therapists complete specialized continuing education and use internal and external assessment techniques to develop individualized treatment plans. This subspecialty serves all genders and age groups.
Hand Therapy
Hand therapists specialize in conditions affecting the hand, wrist, forearm, and elbow, including fractures, tendon repairs, nerve injuries, repetitive strain injuries, and post-surgical rehabilitation. Many hand therapists pursue the Certified Hand Therapist credential after accumulating the required clinical hours. Outpatient hand therapy clinics often involve custom splinting, scar management, and precise functional outcome measurement.
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy uses the buoyancy, resistance, and hydrostatic pressure of water to treat patients who may not tolerate land-based exercise. Common populations include patients with severe osteoarthritis, post-surgical weight-bearing restrictions, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and neurological conditions. Outpatient clinics with therapy pools offer a unique treatment environment that can accelerate functional recovery for the right patient population.
Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular rehabilitation treats patients with dizziness, vertigo, balance disorders, and concussion-related symptoms. Therapists in this subspecialty perform specialized assessments including the Dix-Hallpike test, head impulse test, and dynamic visual acuity testing, then design habituation, gaze stabilization, and balance retraining programs. Vestibular therapy is available in outpatient clinics and is in high demand across the country.
Lymphatics
Lymphatic therapy, also called complete decongestive therapy, treats patients with lymphedema resulting from cancer treatment, surgery, or primary lymphatic conditions. Therapists trained in lymphatic management perform manual lymphatic drainage, apply compression bandaging, prescribe compression garments, and educate patients on skin care and self-management. This subspecialty requires specialized certification and serves a growing patient population as cancer survivorship rates increase.
Your Outpatient Mentor
Who Are the Outpatient Mentors?
Gold Coast provides free, unlimited one-on-one mentorship for every outpatient assignment. Our outpatient mentors have direct clinical experience in the subspecialties they support and are available to guide you through clinical questions, documentation challenges, and career development throughout your contract.
Jessica Lewis, PT, DPT
Jessica specializes in sports orthopedics, general orthopedics, and home health for both pediatric and adult populations. She brings hands-on clinical mentorship to therapists working in outpatient ortho clinics, helping with evaluation frameworks, treatment planning, and subspecialty skill development. Jessica is also available for therapists interested in transitioning between home health and outpatient settings.
Outpatient Pay
How Much Do Outpatient Therapists Earn?
PT, OT, and SLP travelers make a minimum of NET $100,000-$130,000+ per year with Gold Coast, guaranteed. That is take-home pay, after taxes. Compare that with permanent or internal travel positions at $50,000-$82,000 per year. PTAs and OTAs net a minimum of $70,000 per year with Gold Coast, compared with $38,000-$57,000 in permanent roles.
Gold Coast figures are guaranteed minimum net (after-tax) annual pay (2026), true in every setting we staff.
Gold Coast is a therapist-owned agency, which means we understand what fair compensation looks like because we have worked these contracts ourselves. There are no hidden fees, no retainer costs, and no surprises in your pay package. We also offer PTLA placements for therapists who qualify.
Contact us or call (707) 908-9484 for a personalized rate breakdown.
Outpatient vs Home Health
Which Setting Is Right for You?
Outpatient and home health are the two most common settings for travel therapists, and many clinicians move between them throughout their careers. Here is how they compare:
| Factor | Outpatient | Home Health |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule structure | Fixed schedules with back-to-back appointments | More flexibility, therapists manage their own daily route and visit schedule |
| Patient relationships | Two to three visits per week over several weeks | Weekly or biweekly visits over months |
| Clinical autonomy | Work alongside other therapists and support staff, with immediate access to colleagues and equipment | Work independently in patients' homes with limited on-site support |
| Caseload variety | Diagnosis-specific depending on the clinic's subspecialty | More varied: orthopedic, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and wound care patients |
Not sure which setting fits your goals? Schedule a free consultation with one of our mentors who can help you evaluate both options based on your clinical experience and career interests.
Open Positions
View Open Outpatient Positions
Gold Coast Healthcare Staffing maintains outpatient contracts across the country in all subspecialties listed above. With a 98% on-time start rate and nationwide coverage in all 50 states, we get you placed quickly and supported fully.
Browse current openings on our careers page or apply today to speak with a recruiter about outpatient opportunities that match your skills and location preferences. Want to learn more about our mentor team or explore other clinical settings? We are here to help you find the right fit.
Ready to Start Your Next Assignment?
Browse open positions in outpatient, apply online, and get matched with a setting-specific mentor before your start date. Gold Coast places therapists in all 50 states with free mentorship and above-market pay.