4 answers
Zachary
Student
Canton, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What should I do to go about finding a physical therapy office to work at as an aide or a position that doesn't require any schooling so that I can get an idea of what the work place would be like if I decide to go into physcial therapy as a career?
I am a college freshman who has worked as an aide already at a private physical therapy practice, I just need to know how I can expand to better known physical therapy offices or if it is even possible.
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4 answers
Samantha Laswell, PTA, CSRS
Physical Therapist Assistant
12
Answers
Palmdale, California
Updated
Samantha’s Answer
Hi! Here are some steps you can take:
1. Check job posting sites, but remember that aide positions may not always be listed.
2. Visit or call skilled nursing and rehab facilities in your area to ask about openings.
3. Look at hospitals' career sections on their websites for job postings.
4. Contact nearby PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) programs for advice and potential leads. These programs often have connections with clinical sites.
If you want general experience in physical therapy, ask about observation hours. Many skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics offer this. Hospitals might let you volunteer, so reach out to their therapy departments to find out.
1. Check job posting sites, but remember that aide positions may not always be listed.
2. Visit or call skilled nursing and rehab facilities in your area to ask about openings.
3. Look at hospitals' career sections on their websites for job postings.
4. Contact nearby PTA (Physical Therapist Assistant) programs for advice and potential leads. These programs often have connections with clinical sites.
If you want general experience in physical therapy, ask about observation hours. Many skilled nursing facilities and outpatient clinics offer this. Hospitals might let you volunteer, so reach out to their therapy departments to find out.
Cynthia Doyle PT, DPT, CCI
Physical Therapist
26
Answers
Cheboygan, Michigan
Updated
Cynthia’s Answer
You have been given answers with great suggestions about ways to possibly find a physical therapy aide position. You said that you would like to work as an aide to help you determine if this is a good career fit for you. That is the reason that most physical therapy graduate programs require applicants to do observation hours in a variety of settings. Programs want students who know what they are getting into and know that it's right for them. Different programs have different requirements in terms of the number of hours and what forms need to be completed and submitted. Many use a centralized application system to document the observation hours: https://help.liaisonedu.com/PTCAS_Applicant_Help_Center/Filling_Out_Your_PTCAS_Application/Supporting_Information/02_Observation_Hours
I hope you are able to secure a PT aide position. But I also suggest you schedule observation hours in a variety of settings. There are so many different options. You may find some not to be a fit for you while others are a great fit. And different settings may be better fits during different parts of your life.
Good luck!
Cindy
I hope you are able to secure a PT aide position. But I also suggest you schedule observation hours in a variety of settings. There are so many different options. You may find some not to be a fit for you while others are a great fit. And different settings may be better fits during different parts of your life.
Good luck!
Cindy
Jane Akinyemi
Lecturer
36
Answers
Salem, Massachusetts
Updated
Jane’s Answer
Hi Zachary,
You can definitely get hired as a physical therapy aide at bigger, well-known clinics, even without extra schooling. Honestly, your experience gives you a real edge over students just starting out.
If you want to stand out, go after the clinics that usually need more help: places like hospital-affiliated outpatient centers, sports medicine clinics, orthopedic or spine rehab offices, and big private practices with a bunch of therapists. University clinics are good, too. Even pediatric PT clinics might be a fit if you’re open to working with kids. These places see a lot more patients, so there’s always a need for reliable aides.
Here’s the trick hardly anyone talks about; just walk in. Seriously, put on something neat, head in between 11am and 2pm (when things are usually quieter), and ask to speak to the office manager or lead PT. Introduce yourself. When you show up in person, people remember you, they get a feel for your personality right away, and you skip all those online applications that never seem to go anywhere.
It really comes down to personality and dependability. That’s what clinics look for most in aides. Another simple strategy? Send short, straight-to-the-point emails to clinics nearby. Talk about your experience, your interest in physical therapy, your flexible schedule, and your eagerness to pitch in wherever needed. Clinics love people they don’t have to babysit.
Lean on your prior aide work. When you reach out, mention you already know how clinics run and that you have hands-on experience helping with exercises, sanitizing equipment, prepping patients, and so on. Not everyone can say that, and it’ll make you stand out right away.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
You can definitely get hired as a physical therapy aide at bigger, well-known clinics, even without extra schooling. Honestly, your experience gives you a real edge over students just starting out.
If you want to stand out, go after the clinics that usually need more help: places like hospital-affiliated outpatient centers, sports medicine clinics, orthopedic or spine rehab offices, and big private practices with a bunch of therapists. University clinics are good, too. Even pediatric PT clinics might be a fit if you’re open to working with kids. These places see a lot more patients, so there’s always a need for reliable aides.
Here’s the trick hardly anyone talks about; just walk in. Seriously, put on something neat, head in between 11am and 2pm (when things are usually quieter), and ask to speak to the office manager or lead PT. Introduce yourself. When you show up in person, people remember you, they get a feel for your personality right away, and you skip all those online applications that never seem to go anywhere.
It really comes down to personality and dependability. That’s what clinics look for most in aides. Another simple strategy? Send short, straight-to-the-point emails to clinics nearby. Talk about your experience, your interest in physical therapy, your flexible schedule, and your eagerness to pitch in wherever needed. Clinics love people they don’t have to babysit.
Lean on your prior aide work. When you reach out, mention you already know how clinics run and that you have hands-on experience helping with exercises, sanitizing equipment, prepping patients, and so on. Not everyone can say that, and it’ll make you stand out right away.
Wishing you all the best.
Dr. Jane Akinyemi
Lauren Swansinger
Physical Therapist Assistant
17
Answers
Wyandotte, Michigan
Updated
Lauren’s Answer
I would suggest to look on Linked in/indeed/ any other job site for a physical therapist technician or physical therapy aide position in your area.
Some jobs go directly to colleges with job postings, if you talk to counselor or know of a place where the school has job listings. That would also be a place to look.
Some jobs go directly to colleges with job postings, if you talk to counselor or know of a place where the school has job listings. That would also be a place to look.