PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Iowa
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Iowa. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Iowa has 720+ job openings with $30K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
72+
PT Facilities
720+
IA Job Openings
$30K
Avg IA 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 Iowa paying 13% below average at $30,850. 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 Iowa
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Iowa rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Broadlawns Medical Center, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — University of Iowa Hospitals
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — UnityPoint Health, MercyOne
- ✓ 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 Iowa
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
University of Iowa Hospitals
Top Employer📍 Iowa City
📞 319-356-1616
State's academic medical center
View Opportunities →UnityPoint Health
Major System📍 Des Moines/Statewide
📞 515-241-6212
Iowa's largest system
View Opportunities →MercyOne
Regional Leader📍 Des Moines/Statewide
📞 515-358-9600
Major Catholic system
View Opportunities →Broadlawns Medical Center
Tuition Aid📍 Des Moines
📞 515-282-2200
Safety net hospital
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.
Iowa PT Tech Market
Iowa offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
University of Iowa's Statewide Influence
The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics dominates Iowa healthcare as the state's only academic medical center. With one of the nation's top-ranked PT programs on campus, UI sets standards for physical therapy practice statewide. PT Techs at UI gain exposure to research, complex cases, and educational resources unmatched in Iowa. The institution's reach extends through partnerships with rural hospitals across the state.
Rural Practice Opportunities
Iowa's 64% rural population creates unique PT opportunities. Critical Access Hospitals in small towns face chronic staffing challenges and actively recruit with incentives—signing bonuses, housing assistance, and flexible schedules. Rural PT Techs typically develop broader skills and deeper patient relationships than urban counterparts. For those seeking affordable living and tight-knit communities, rural Iowa delivers.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Metro | $32K-$40K | Most jobs, UnityPoint/MercyOne |
| Iowa City | $31K-$39K | University of Iowa hub |
| Cedar Rapids | $29K-$38K | Second largest city |
| Quad Cities | $28K-$37K | IL border, Genesis Health |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Iowa
How does University of Iowa's reputation affect PT careers statewide?
What's unique about Iowa's rural healthcare needs?
Is there a salary difference between Des Moines and rural Iowa?
How does Iowa's aging farm population affect PT demand?
What PTA programs are available in Iowa?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Iowa?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Iowa?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Iowa's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.