Physical Therapy Internships for Undergraduates: A Comprehensive Guide

Aspiring physical therapists often seek ways to gain practical experience and enhance their qualifications for competitive PT programs. Physical therapy internships for undergraduates provide invaluable exposure to the field, setting them apart from other applicants. This article explores the benefits, requirements, and opportunities available through PT internships.

Introduction

For undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in physical therapy (PT) or occupational therapy (OT), internships offer a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience. These internships provide a bridge between classroom knowledge and real-world application, allowing students to work alongside experienced professionals and assist patients in their recovery journey.

The Value of Physical Therapy Internships

Physical therapy internships build practical, professional experience, which is highly valued by employers. Candidates with real-life experience that reflects their values are often preferred. These internships offer numerous benefits, including:

Enhanced Clinical Experience: Undergraduate students accepted into formal college internship programs gain valuable clinical experience, enhancing their chances of being accepted into competitive Physical Therapy schools.
Hands-on Learning: Interns have the opportunity to work alongside expert physiotherapists and sports doctors, gaining hands-on experience in patient care.
Skill Development: Interns assist qualified therapists attending to patients with a range of health conditions, performing evaluations and aiding in recovery.
Career Confirmation: Internships provide a firsthand look at the profession, helping students confirm their passion for physical therapy. As Kaitlyn Berger, an aide at Carolina PT, shared, "After graduation, I took a year off to gain valuable hands-on experience, which confirmed my calling to pursue Physical Therapy."
Networking Opportunities: Internships foster networking and career preparation, allowing students to connect with professionals in the field.
Competitive Advantage: An internship provides invaluable experience that sets interns apart from other applicants to PT schools.

Types of Physical Therapy Internships

Physical therapy internships take place in a variety of settings, including hospitals and clinics. These internships offer diverse experiences and exposure to different patient populations. Some examples include:

Outpatient Physical Therapy: HARTZ Physical Therapy, a leader in outpatient physical therapy in Lancaster County, offers programs designed to provide students with hands-on, practical experience.
International Internships: Opportunities exist for physical therapy internships in various countries, such as Tanzania, Athens, Guatemala, and Madrid, Spain. These internships provide exposure to different healthcare systems and cultural perspectives.
Specialized Settings: HSS Rehabilitation and Performance offers internships that provide exposure to innovative practices in rehabilitation and performance.

Expectations and Requirements for Physical Therapy Internships

Knowing that physical therapy internships will be required of every student enrolled in a PT or PTA program, it is wise to look at the physical therapy internship requirements of a specific program when applying for schools. Schools vary in the number, length and placement of their clinical rotations, however, there are minimum requirements that ensure students have enough clinical practice to prepare them for their licensure exam. As of 2024, CAPTE, the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education mandates that the clinical education portion of a physical therapist education includes a minimum of 30 weeks of full-time clinical education experiences, based on a minimum of 32 hours/week. Physical therapist assistant education programs are required to offer between 520 and 720 hours of clinical education.

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Internship Structure

Most programs offer short, part-time physical therapy internships early in the program followed by longer, full-time physical therapy internships. Some schools have students complete all of the didactic and some part time internships first and then send students on sequential full-time internships at the end of the program. This arrangement gives students months of supervised practice just prior to entering the workforce which can build confidence. Other schools place the longer physical therapy internships between didactic intervals which gives students opportunities to enter advanced courses with clinical experience that informs their learning and allows them to build on what they saw in the clinic. This structure also has many benefits which means a student may consider their preference when selecting schools to which they might apply.

Part-time clinical rotations are often one afternoon or one day a week over a few weeks or even a semester. These rotations introduce students to practicing as a student therapist. Longer internships are between 8 and 16 weeks. A student will always have direct supervision of a licensed therapist. Some internships will give a student their own caseload while others will have the student share a caseload with their clinical instructor. The number and complexity of patients a student is responsible for increases over time.

PTA students will complete treatment notes while physical therapy students will complete treatment, initial evaluation, progress and discharge notes. PT students will write goals and physical therapy plans of care. Students gain experience consulting with other healthcare team members, working in an interdisciplinary setting, educating patients, performing differential diagnoses and discharge planning. Both PT and PTA students are often required to complete a project or a presentation for the clinic as well.

Typical Responsibilities

During a physical therapy internship, students can expect to:

Assist qualified therapists in providing patient care.
Perform evaluations and aid in recovery.
Apply classroom knowledge in a clinical setting.
Observe and learn from experienced professionals.
Potentially manage a caseload under supervision.
Complete treatment notes and documentation.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
Educate patients on their conditions and treatment plans.
Contribute to discharge planning.

Selecting the Right Internship

Choosing the setting for your physical therapy internship. PTs and PTAs are trained to be generalists, capable of entering almost any practice setting at an entry level. Clinical internships provide PT and PTA students with opportunities for a behind-the-scenes look at different settings which helps guide their job search upon graduation and licensure. Many programs require that PT or PTA students complete a clinical rotation in both an acute care setting and an outpatient orthopedics setting with greater flexibility for the remaining rotations.

The range of available settings is determined by the contracts held between a physical therapy school and individual hospitals or clinics. Some schools allow students to request a contract with a specific clinic or hospital while others limit students to contracts that already exist.

Location Considerations

Clinical internships can present opportunities to live in new areas or work close to home. Some schools are willing to establish new contracts requested by students which allows a student an opportunity to select a specific location for one of their internships. Some schools place no restrictions on where their students’ rotations are completed whereas other programs require their students to complete at least one of their rotations outside the immediate area of the school. This may be done if there is a limited number of programs available within commuting distance of the program.

The growing popularity of hybrid programs in which students complete the bulk of their didactic learning from home, often means programs are working to establish clinical internships across the country. When it comes to choosing the locations of your internships, there are several things to take into consideration.

Try asking yourself some of these questions to help you narrow down your choices:

Where might I like to work after I graduate?
Can I get an internship in that city, area or even specific clinic or hospital to build relationships and try out the area?
What affordable living arrangements are available to me if I move to an area for 8-16 weeks for a clinical rotation?
What is the commute from my home to the internship?
Will I have access to social support or recreational activities that will help boost my mental and emotional health while I complete this rotation?

Individual vs. Group Internships

Work alone or with a fellow intern? Most clinical internships consist of one student with one clinical instructor. There are cases, though, where a student may be placed in a 2:1 rotation where two students work together under one clinician. There are pros and cons to both arrangements. Students working in a 1:1 arrangement have the full attention and mentorship of the clinical instructor but may not have opportunities to collaborate with or learn from other student PTs or PTAs during their rotation. A 2:1 rotation means that a student will be working closely with a second student throughout the duration of the rotation.

Finding Internship Opportunities

Several avenues can be explored to find physical therapy internship opportunities:

University Programs: Many universities have established relationships with local clinics and hospitals, offering internship programs for their students.
Online Job Boards: Websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Handshake often list physical therapy internships.
Professional Organizations: The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and other professional organizations may have resources for finding internships.
Direct Outreach: Contacting local physical therapy clinics and hospitals directly to inquire about internship opportunities can be a proactive approach.

Making the Most of Your Internship

To maximize the benefits of a physical therapy internship, students should:

Be Proactive: Take initiative in seeking out learning opportunities and asking questions.
Be Engaged: Actively participate in patient care and clinic activities.
Be Professional: Maintain a professional demeanor and adhere to ethical guidelines.
Seek Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback from supervisors and mentors.
Reflect on Experiences: Take time to reflect on experiences and identify areas for growth.

The Role of Clinical Education

Physical therapy internships or rotations are a requirement for every accredited physical therapy or physical therapist assistant program. Physical therapy internships play an essential role in preparing students to enter the workforce as entry level clinicians. A physical therapy internship is a great complement to the classroom where students spend time filling their brains with the science of practice.

Financial Support and Recognition

Carolina PT understands the importance of easing financial burdens and many of our clinicians participate in a student loan assistance program. As part of our commitment to your professional growth, Carolina PT has a robust Continuing Education Unit (CEU) reimbursement program.

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