PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Virginia
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Virginia. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Virginia has 1980+ job openings with $35K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
198+
PT Facilities
1980+
VA Job Openings
$35K
Avg VA 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 Virginia paying 0% below average at $35,280. 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 Virginia
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Virginia rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Carilion Clinic, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — Inova Health System
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — Sentara Healthcare, VCU 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 Virginia
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
Inova Health System
Top Employer📍 Northern Virginia
📞 703-289-2000
NoVA's dominant system
View Opportunities →Sentara Healthcare
Major System📍 Hampton Roads
📞 757-455-7000
Tidewater region leader
View Opportunities →VCU Health
Regional Leader📍 Richmond
📞 804-828-9000
State's academic medical 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.
Virginia PT Tech Market
Virginia offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
Northern Virginia: DC Access Premium
Northern Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria) is functionally part of DC metro, offering access to one of America's largest healthcare markets. Inova dominates local healthcare while nearby DC offers additional options (MedStar, George Washington, Georgetown). PT Techs in NoVA earn $37K-$47K—competitive with DC—while Virginia taxes are lower. The tradeoff: housing costs rival Boston or San Francisco.
Virginia's Academic Medicine Corridor
Virginia's I-64 corridor connects two excellent academic medical centers. VCU Health in Richmond provides Level 1 trauma care and urban academic medicine. UVA Health in Charlottesville offers research excellence in a beautiful university town setting. PT Techs can build academic experience in either location at costs far below NoVA, with quality of life many prefer.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia | $37K-$47K | Inova dominant, DC influence |
| Richmond Metro | $34K-$44K | VCU Health, state capital |
| Hampton Roads | $33K-$42K | Sentara, military presence |
| Charlottesville | $33K-$42K | UVA Health, lifestyle |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Virginia
How does Northern Virginia's DC proximity affect PT careers?
What makes Inova special for NoVA PT careers?
How do Virginia's academic centers compare?
Is Virginia affordable outside Northern Virginia?
What PTA programs are in Virginia?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Virginia?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Virginia?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Virginia's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.