Physical Therapy Internship

A physical therapy internship / affiliation is a structured and supervised clinical experience that allows students, that are enrolled in a doctorate physical therapy program, to apply the knowledge and skills they’ve learned in their academic coursework in a real-world clinical setting. These internships or affiliations are an essential component of physical therapy education and provide student physical therapists with hands-on experience, exposure to various patient populations, and the opportunity to work alongside licensed physical therapists.

Key features and benefits of being an intern at Physical Therapy First include:

1. Supervised Learning: Interns work under the supervision of our licensed physical therapists who guide and mentor them throughout their clinical experience. Interns have the opportunity to work with board-certified orthopedic specialists, residency-trained, fellowship-trained and specialty certified physical therapists.

2. Hands-On Experience: Interns actively engage in patient care, which may include conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, implementing therapeutic interventions, and monitoring progress. This practical experience helps them develop clinical skills and gain confidence in their abilities.

3. Exposure to Diverse Cases: We offer interns exposure to a wide range of patient cases, including different ages, medical conditions, and treatments. This exposure helps interns gain a well-rounded understanding of the field.

4. Integration of Theory and Practice: Interns have the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based principles acquired during their academic studies to real patients. They will also learn how to adapt and modify treatment plans based on individual patient needs and implement evidence-informed physical therapy patient management.

5. Professional Development: PTF also provides an environment for interns to develop their professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, ethical decision-making, and cultural competence. Interns will learn how to interact effectively with patients, their families, and other healthcare professionals.

6. Duration and Requirements: The duration and specific requirements of physical therapy internships or affiliations can vary by educational institution. Typically, these experiences last several weeks to several months and may have specific prerequisites or expectations for performance.

7. Assessment and Evaluation: Interns are evaluated by their Clinical Instructor based on their clinical performance, professionalism, and adherence to ethical standards.

8. Credentialing: Successful completion of a physical therapy internship or affiliation is often a requirement for obtaining a physical therapy degree or license, depending on the jurisdiction.

PTF believes that the internships play a crucial role in the education and training of future physical therapists, providing interns with the practical skills, and clinical exposure needed to excel in our profession.

How to apply:
Search our list of University Affiliations. If you don’t see your university listed on our website, be sure to contact your institutions Director of Clinical Education and ask them to request a site agreement with PTF. All intern placements and site agreement requests can be sent to student@physicaltherapyfirst.com.