PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in New Jersey
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in New Jersey. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. New Jersey has 2100+ job openings with $40K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
210+
PT Facilities
2100+
NJ Job Openings
$40K
Avg NJ 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 New Jersey paying 14% above average at $40,200. 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 New Jersey
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a New Jersey rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Atlantic Health System, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — Hackensack Meridian Health, RWJBarnabas 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 New Jersey
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
Top Employer📍 West Orange + 100 sites
📞 888-537-7537
#4 ranked rehab hospital nationally
View Opportunities →Hackensack Meridian Health
Major System📍 Statewide
📞 844-464-9355
NJ's largest health system, $5,250 tuition reimbursement
View Opportunities →RWJBarnabas Health
Regional Leader📍 Statewide
📞 855-453-1950
Major academic affiliation with Rutgers
View Opportunities →JAG Physical Therapy
Growing📍 Bergen/Passaic/Morris
📞 201-801-7141
Largest private PT practice in tristate
View Opportunities →Atlantic Health System
Tuition Aid📍 Morris/Sussex/Warren
📞 973-971-5247
Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For
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.
New Jersey PT Tech Market
New Jersey offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
The Kessler Advantage
New Jersey is home to Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, ranked #4 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. PT Techs at Kessler work with complex spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and stroke recovery cases that most facilities never see. The outpatient Kessler Rehabilitation Center operates 100+ locations statewide, making it the largest PT employer in New Jersey. Starting as a PT Tech at Kessler provides clinical exposure and career connections that accelerate advancement to PTA or PT roles.
Density Creates Demand
With 1,263 residents per square mile, New Jersey is America's most densely populated state. This concentration creates more PT patients per clinic than anywhere else—translating to job security and shorter commutes between opportunities. The state's 1.6 million residents over age 65 (growing to 2.1 million by 2030) ensures sustained demand. Unlike rural states where you might drive 30 minutes between facilities, NJ PT Techs can often find multiple employer options within a 10-minute radius.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North Jersey (Bergen, Hudson, Essex) | $45K-$53K | NYC metro premium, highest wages |
| Central Jersey (Middlesex, Somerset) | $38K-$45K | Balanced cost/salary |
| Jersey Shore (Monmouth, Ocean) | $36K-$44K | Senior population, seasonal tourism |
| South Jersey (Camden, Burlington) | $32K-$40K | Lower COL, Philly access |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in New Jersey
Why does New Jersey have some of the highest PT Tech salaries in the country?
What makes Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation special for PT Techs?
Is there really a salary difference between North Jersey and South Jersey for PT Techs?
Can I work in New York City with New Jersey PT Tech certification?
Which NJ employers offer tuition reimbursement for PT Techs pursuing PTA degrees?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in New Jersey?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in New Jersey?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of New Jersey's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.