PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Oregon
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Oregon. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Oregon has 1100+ job openings with $38K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
110+
PT Facilities
1100+
OR Job Openings
$38K
Avg OR 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 Oregon paying 8% above average at $38,240. 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 Oregon
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Oregon rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Salem Health, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — OHSU - Oregon Health & Science University
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — Providence Health & Services, Legacy 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 Oregon
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
OHSU - Oregon Health & Science University
Top Employer📍 Portland
📞 503-494-8311
State's academic medical center
View Opportunities →Providence Health & Services
Major System📍 Portland/Statewide
📞 503-215-1111
Oregon's largest system
View Opportunities →Kaiser Permanente NW
Growing📍 Portland
📞 503-813-2000
HMO with integrated care
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.
Oregon PT Tech Market
Oregon offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
OHSU: Oregon's Academic Hub
Oregon Health & Science University commands a Portland hilltop as the state's only academic medical center. OHSU trains Oregon's physicians, conducts research, and provides complex care unavailable elsewhere in the state. PT Techs at OHSU gain exposure to academic medicine, clinical trials, and specialized rehabilitation services. OHSU experience provides foundation for career advancement and PTA program admission.
Portland's Wellness Culture
Portland's distinctive culture—emphasis on wellness, sustainability, and alternative approaches—shapes PT practice. Patients often seek integrative care combining traditional PT with wellness philosophies. Clinics may incorporate approaches uncommon in conventional settings. For PT Techs interested in holistic healthcare and patient-centered practice, Portland offers unique professional environment.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Metro | $38K-$50K | OHSU, Providence, most jobs |
| Salem | $34K-$44K | State capital, lower COL |
| Eugene/Springfield | $33K-$43K | University town |
| Bend | $35K-$45K | Outdoor recreation destination |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Oregon
How does Portland's healthcare culture differ from other cities?
Is Oregon affordable on PT Tech wages?
What makes OHSU special for PT careers?
How does Oregon's outdoor culture affect PT practice?
What PTA programs are in Oregon?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Oregon?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Oregon?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Oregon's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.