PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Colorado
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Colorado. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Colorado has 1350+ job openings with $37K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
135+
PT Facilities
1350+
CO Job Openings
$37K
Avg CO Salary
$0
Externship Cost
Why Get a PTT Externship?
A Physical Therapy Technician externship gives you real-world clinical experience that employers value. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist aides earn a median salary of $35,330 nationally, with Colorado paying 6% above average at $37,450. Hands-on experience sets you apart from other candidates.
An externship helps you:
- ✓ Practice patient transfers, therapeutic exercises, and equipment operation in a real clinical environment
- ✓ Build professional references from licensed Physical Therapists and PTAs
- ✓ Discover which PT setting fits you best (inpatient rehab, outpatient clinic, sports medicine, SNF)
- ✓ Convert your externship into a job offer — many facilities hire their externs
- ✓ Gain confidence working with patients recovering from injuries, surgeries, and neurological conditions
New to physical therapy? EHired offers free training to prepare you for AMCA certification. An externship is optional but highly recommended for building clinical skills and professional connections.
⚠️ Important: EHired does NOT place, arrange, or supervise externships. You contact rehabilitation facilities and PT clinics directly to arrange your own placement. This self-managed approach gives you flexibility to choose sites near your home and build direct relationships with potential employers.
How to Find a PTT Externship in Colorado
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Colorado rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Howard Head Sports Medicine, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — UCHealth
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — SCL Health, Centura Health
- ✓ Sports medicine centers — Athletic training facilities, team clinics
- ✓ Skilled nursing facilities — Genesis, ManorCare, local SNFs
- ✓ Home health agencies — Bayada, Amedisys, LHC Group
Prepare Your Approach
Get ready before contacting sites:
- ✓ Update your resume — Include EHired training, any fitness/healthcare experience
- ✓ Prepare a pitch — "I'm completing PTT training and seeking hands-on clinical experience"
- ✓ Highlight relevant skills — Physical fitness, patient interaction, attention to detail
- ✓ Be flexible — Offer to work their schedule, early mornings or evenings
- ✓ Dress professionally — Scrubs or business casual for in-person visits
Make Contact
Reach out to PT facilities directly:
- ✓ Call first — Ask for the clinic manager or rehab director
- ✓ Visit in person — Drop off resume during non-peak hours (early AM or 2-4 PM)
- ✓ Email if provided — Brief, professional, attach resume
- ✓ Explain the arrangement — Unpaid, flexible hours, eager to learn PT skills
- ✓ Follow up — If no response in 1 week, call again politely
Complete Your Externship
Make the most of your experience:
- ✓ Arrive early — Show reliability and eagerness to learn
- ✓ Ask questions — PTs appreciate engaged learners
- ✓ Take initiative — Help with equipment setup, cleaning, patient prep
- ✓ Document your hours — Keep a log for your records
- ✓ Request feedback — Ask for a reference letter before you leave
PTT Externship Sites in Colorado
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
UCHealth
Top Employer📍 Aurora/Denver
📞 720-848-0000
State's largest health system
View Opportunities →SCL Health
Major System📍 Denver Metro
📞 303-813-5190
Major Catholic system (now Intermountain)
View Opportunities →Centura Health
Regional Leader📍 Denver Metro
📞 303-804-8000
Adventist/Catholic partnership
View Opportunities →Children's Hospital Colorado
Growing📍 Aurora
📞 720-777-1234
Top pediatric hospital
View Opportunities →Howard Head Sports Medicine
Tuition Aid📍 Vail
📞 970-476-1225
Elite ski/sports medicine
View Opportunities →ATI Physical Therapy
National Chain📍 Multiple locations
📞 Contact local clinic
National outpatient PT network with locations across the state
View Opportunities →🏃 Sports Medicine & Orthopedic
- • ATI Physical Therapy — National chain with local presence
- • Athletico Physical Therapy — Sports rehab focus
- • CORA Physical Therapy — Growing regional network
- • Pivot Physical Therapy — Orthopedic specialization
- • Local university athletics — College sports medicine
🏠 SNF & Home Health
- • Genesis Healthcare — Skilled nursing facilities statewide
- • Kindred Healthcare — Post-acute care and rehab
- • ManorCare/ProMedica — Rehabilitation and skilled nursing
- • Bayada Home Health — Home health PT services
- • Amedisys — Home health and hospice
Skills You'll Learn During Your PTT Externship
A clinical externship provides hands-on experience with core PT Tech competencies that classroom training alone cannot replicate.
Patient Mobility
Safe patient transfers, gait training assistance, wheelchair mobility, and use of assistive devices (walkers, canes, crutches).
Therapeutic Exercise
Setting up exercise equipment, assisting with stretching protocols, monitoring exercise form, and tracking repetitions.
Modality Application
Hot/cold pack application, ultrasound preparation, electrical stimulation setup, and paraffin bath treatments.
Equipment Management
Treatment table preparation, equipment maintenance, supply inventory, and ensuring clean treatment areas.
Documentation Support
Recording patient attendance, tracking exercise completion, scheduling follow-up appointments, and basic EHR navigation.
Patient Communication
Professional interaction with patients, explaining exercises, providing encouragement, and reporting concerns to supervising PT.
Colorado PT Tech Market
Colorado offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
The Sports Medicine State
Colorado's identity as America's most active state shapes its PT industry. From elite ski racing injuries in Vail to weekend warrior mishaps along the Front Range, sports medicine dominates. PT Techs here gain exposure to orthopedic cases—ACL repairs, rotator cuff rehab, spine injuries from mountain biking—at rates far exceeding national averages. This experience is highly valued if you later pursue sports-focused PTA certification or relocate to other markets.
Mountain vs. Metro: Two Different Markets
Colorado's PT job market splits into two distinct worlds. The Denver/Front Range metro (80% of jobs) offers traditional hospital and outpatient settings with competitive wages and urban amenities. The mountain communities (Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Steamboat) offer lifestyle positions where ski passes and outdoor access compensate for higher housing costs. Many PT Techs start in Denver, gain experience, then transition to mountain positions for quality of life.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Metro | $36K-$48K | Most jobs, competitive market |
| Boulder/Fort Collins | $35K-$46K | University towns, outdoor focus |
| Colorado Springs | $33K-$43K | Military presence, lower cost |
| Mountain Communities | $38K-$50K | Premium pay, housing challenges |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Colorado
How does Colorado's outdoor culture affect PT Tech careers?
What makes Vail and ski resort PT positions unique?
How competitive is the Denver PT job market?
Does altitude affect PT practice in Colorado?
What PTA programs are available in Colorado?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Colorado?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Colorado?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Colorado's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.