Before you become a licensed physical therapist, you need to gain enough hands-on experience. And to do that, you need to pursue and complete an internship. This allows you to practice what you’ve learned in the classroom in the real world.
Becoming an intern only sounds easy on paper. But it’s a position full of responsibilities, ups and downs, and worthwhile exposure. All of it is to mold you into a competent physical therapist.
Keep reading to know what to expect from physical therapy internships. You’ll also learn some tips for each expectation to help you succeed as an intern.
Expect a Fast Learning Curve
All interns typically undergo an orientation and initial training. After that, you’ll notice that things happen in quick succession.
Unlike in a classroom setting, the field makes time for no one. Talking to multiple patients, tailoring their treatment plans, and helping them in therapy can occur within a day. Mentors will expect you to observe, absorb, and assist, sometimes simultaneously.
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at first. But you can overcome it by doing thorough research before your internship. Review core concepts and refresh your knowledge of diagnoses, techniques, and protocols.
Once you’re on-site, maintain curiosity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, too! Clarity benefits physical therapists and their patients, and it’s better than taking a guess.
Getting the placement you’re aiming for also helps. Any task will feel less like a chore if you’re in a position you’ve wanted. So, don’t just settle on any internship program. Discover physical therapy placements that align with your career goals. Look for opportunities with ample mentorship and support. Programs that advocate for their interns are more likely to produce qualified professionals.
Clear Communication Matters
In situations where you’re dealing with other people, you must keep up excellent communication. Physical therapy internships are no exception. Your technical skills get an extra boost when you also know how to speak well. Patients need to understand procedures and why they need to undergo them. Your job is to explain them as best and as clearly as possible.
However, not every intern can immediately handle patient care. So, the best tip for this? Practice active listening. Pay close attention to your patients by making eye contact, acknowledging what they say, and responding thoughtfully. Doing this builds trust and shows your respect for them.
Now, when speaking to patients, avoid medical jargon unless you know they understand it. Otherwise, save those when you’re talking with other physical therapists. Remember, feeling heard and understood in communication is as important as getting your point across.
Professionalism Is a Non-Negotiable
You might not be a licensed physical therapist yet, but how you act now sets a precedent for your future career. Clinical instructors will evaluate your abilities in patient care and professionalism. They’ll also note your attitude, reliability, and overall demeanor.
Physical therapy internships provide the environment for you to practice being a professional. You just need the correct mindset. Think of every day as a job interview process. Would you hire yourself if you’re skilled yet always arrive at work late? So, come prepared, be polite to everyone, and show your earnestness in the profession.
Documentation Can Be Taxing
Think physical therapy internships only involve taking care of patients? It’s a lot less exciting than what it sounds like. You’ll have a lot of paperwork to do, sometimes more than doing actual patient care. Patient progress, treatment details, and assessments need accurate records. And you’ll often have to document this information under time pressure.
Different clinical settings may use varying documentation procedures. Some might prefer paper-based methods, while others have adapted to electronic systems. You may encounter a learning curve here.
A tip you can follow is to observe your supervisors and ask if you can review sample notes. Long before you begin your internship, practice documenting at home with fictional cases. Exposure to the task builds your speed and confidence.
Building Rapport With Patients Takes Effort
If you’re not documenting, you’re directly interacting with patients. However, some of them may be too nervous or uncooperative to talk to a healthcare worker. Some might even be too in pain to talk. So, it truly takes time and effort to build rapport with them.
You can never force rapport on anyone. To build it, take a cue from good communication by listening attentively. When patients see that their physical therapist cares about their words, they’re more likely to engage better.
Learn their names, remember the small details they share, and show genuine interest in their well-being. Even offering small bits of encouragement or celebrating treatment progress strengthens the connection. Aside from impacting a patient’s quality of life, a good therapeutic relationship rewards interns.
Expect Plenty of Feedback
What makes physical therapy internships really worthwhile is the feedback you’ll receive. Instructors will tell you how you’ve performed, from your clinical experience to how you connect with patients. You may encounter some that are hard to hear, but also some that are encouraging. A balance of feedback helps you become a more well-rounded individual.
If you’re not used to hearing constructive criticism, a tip is not to take it personally. Respectable instructors don’t hate you; they just want to see you improve. Keep an outlook of a curious rookie learner. You don’t know everything there is to know yet, but with feedback, your knowledge grows.
Take notes during debriefs and reflect on yourself. If you’re not receiving enough feedback, feel free to ask. The line “How can I improve?” is more than enough to show initiative.
You’ll Multitask a Lot
Juggling several responsibilities is what makes an internship a valuable experience. You might observe hip mobility treatment while documenting the session or setting up equipment within the same hour.
Hence, you need excellent time management skills to keep up. Start each day with a mental checklist, then convert that into a physical one. A small notebook or phone (if allowed) can track tasks you need to complete. In time, you’ll develop a personal rhythm. But as you start your internship, stay ahead by being proactive.
Final Thoughts
It’s always best to prepare before pursuing physical therapy internships. When you know what to expect, you can face the challenges head-on with a focused mind.
Take these tips to heart as you begin your journey to becoming a great physical therapist. And be open to other practical advice you gather along the way. Even after completing your internship, you’ll still learn a lot more since everybody and every body is different.