PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Ohio
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Ohio. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Ohio has 3150+ job openings with $32K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
315+
PT Facilities
3150+
OH Job Openings
$32K
Avg OH 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 Ohio paying 9% below average at $32,180. 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 Ohio
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Ohio rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — ProMedica, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — Cleveland Clinic
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, UC 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 Ohio
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
Cleveland Clinic
Top Employer📍 Cleveland
📞 216-444-2200
#2 ranked hospital nationally
View Opportunities →Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Major System📍 Columbus
📞 614-293-8000
Major academic center
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.
Ohio PT Tech Market
Ohio offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
Cleveland Clinic: Global Healthcare Icon
Cleveland Clinic ranks #2 in the nation—routinely trading places with Mayo for the top spot. For PT Techs, Cleveland Clinic represents pinnacle career opportunity. The institution pioneered cardiac care, developed countless innovations, and attracts complex cases from around the world. Working at Cleveland Clinic means learning from the best and building credentials that open every door. Cleveland's affordable cost of living makes this world-class opportunity accessible.
Three Major Markets
Ohio's three C's—Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati—each offer distinct PT career paths. Cleveland has the Clinic's unmatched prestige. Columbus is Ohio's fastest-growing city with OSU Wexner's academic medicine and OhioHealth's community network. Cincinnati offers excellent quality of life, UC Health academics, and accessible living. PT Techs can build entire careers within any market or move between them for diverse experience.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Metro | $33K-$43K | Cleveland Clinic, highest wages |
| Columbus Metro | $32K-$41K | OSU Wexner, OhioHealth |
| Cincinnati Metro | $32K-$41K | UC Health, TriHealth |
| Dayton/Toledo/Akron | $29K-$38K | Mid-size cities |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Ohio
What makes Cleveland Clinic exceptional for PT careers?
How do Ohio's three C's compare for PT careers?
Is Ohio affordable for PT Techs?
What about PT opportunities in smaller Ohio cities?
What PTA programs are in Ohio?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Ohio?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Ohio?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Ohio's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.