Teletherapy sessions allow parents, caregivers, and children significant access to quality therapy — and significant advantages for speech-language therapists and occupational therapists. Deciding which telepractice company to work for is a significant decision. From caseloads to support networks, there are several factors to consider when deciding which company is the best fit for you. Here are seven questions teletherapy job seekers should ask.
1. Is employee or independent contractor work right for me?
When you are an employee, you fill out a W-2 federal tax form and receive compensation accordingly. When you’re classified as a contractor, you fill out a W-9 federal tax form. The different working arrangements have numerous impacts on your work life — and pay!
If you’re an independent contractor, you’re operating a business as well as working as a therapist. It’s important to think about all that goes into running a business. That means all the responsibilities fall on you, including meeting with school districts and selling yourself on why they should hire you, writing contracts, reviewing contracts, billing, and filing taxes. The latter is a big one!
You need to understand and follow the tax laws of the state you live in and the state you work in — and their differences — or hire an accountant to guide you. Yikes, more costs! Independent contractors are responsible for paying their own self-employment tax (about 15% on top of their normal tax percentage), state income tax (if applicable), health insurance if needed, and professional liability insurance. (Although most employers provide professional liability insurance for their employees, we still recommend having your own policy as an added layer of protection.)
An hourly rate of $65 to $85 per hour may sound great, but it’s less impressive when accounting for the extra costs you’ll shoulder. As an independent contractor, you may have more flexibility in your schedule — though you’ll likely still need to work during school hours — it may not be worth the extra hassle and hustle to work as an independent contractor. As a W-2 employee, employers handle the business and pay an employer portion of your taxes.
2. Does the company offer a strong support network?
Support networks are essential to holistic wellbeing. They help you feel secure, empowered to face difficult situations with courage and integrity, and provide professional development. Networks are one of the chief benefits of working in a company (versus working as an independent contractor). It’s also important that people within your support network are familiar with the district you’re working in and familiar with your profession (i.e., SLP, OT, etc.).
3. Does the company have a caseload for you?
Many therapists we interviewed reported being hired with the expectation of doing important, fulfilling work, then…nothing. They waited and waited for a caseload. Ultimately, they lost money because the company strung them along saying they would receive a caseload soon. When your job security and paycheck are reliant on your caseload, knowing you’ll have steady work is important. There are few things more stressful than being promised clients than waiting for months for them to get on your caseload. Caseload is one of the important questions teletherapy job seekers should ask — before they sign a contract.
4. How does the company determine how many students you’ll work with?
Make sure you understand how the company determines how many students you will be working with. Consider how the company navigates caseload versus workload, and what impact this will have on your daily schedule. And be sure to ask how the company’s culture supports — or ignores — work-life balance.
5. What’s the company’s size?
Does size matter? There’s a lot of talk in our field about big companies versus small ones. Which is right for you? It depends on you and what you are looking for. Some people like larger companies and the feeling of belonging to a company with a recognizable name, and all the bells and whistles of a corporate environment. Other people prefer smaller companies with flexible work arrangements that are run by therapists who have been “in the trenches” and understand what you are doing day to day.
6. How long has the company been in business?
Once again, you should weigh what’s important to you. Companies in business for long periods have proven track records and may offer stability. However, startup companies may have a risk-taking company culture that matches your needs.
7. What is the staff turnover rate?
Companies with large staff turnover rates call for careful research. Social media is a window into what therapists think of companies. However, social media can also give platforms to a handful of disgruntled employees who comment and post frequently. They may not be wrong in their feelings, but their experiences may not speak to the company as a whole. Also, be leery of one or two people pushing a company. They could benefit monetarily from recruiting you and be more concerned about their bonus than whether the company is a good fit for you. When interviewing, ask to speak with employees directly so you can get perspectives about what it’s like to work there from the source.
How Unlimited Teletherapy Can Help
If you’ve answered all the questions teletherapy job seekers should ask and you’ve found the right fit for you, congrats! If you’re a speech-language therapist or occupational therapist who would like to join a team of passionate, driven professionals who want to raise the bar in teletherapy, reach out to us, today!
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