PTT EXTERNSHIP GUIDE
Physical Therapy Technician Externship in Washington
Your complete guide to gaining hands-on clinical experience in Washington. Work alongside licensed Physical Therapists at top rehabilitation facilities. Washington has 1850+ job openings with $40K average salary.
40-80
Hours Recommended
185+
PT Facilities
1850+
WA Job Openings
$40K
Avg WA 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 Washington paying 14% above average at $40,280. 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 Washington
Follow this step-by-step process to secure a clinical externship at a Washington rehabilitation facility.
Identify Potential Sites
Look for facilities with PT departments:
- ✓ Outpatient PT clinics — Kaiser Permanente WA, ATI, Athletico
- ✓ Rehabilitation hospitals — UW Medicine
- ✓ Hospital PT departments — Providence Health, Virginia Mason
- ✓ 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 Washington
These healthcare systems and facilities have PT departments that may accept extern volunteers. Contact them directly to inquire about externship opportunities.
Providence Health
Major System📍 Seattle/Statewide
📞 206-320-2000
Major regional system
View Opportunities →Kaiser Permanente WA
Tuition Aid📍 Seattle/Statewide
📞 206-326-3000
Integrated HMO
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.
Washington PT Tech Market
Washington offers unique advantages for PT Technicians:
Pacific Northwest Pay Premium
Washington offers PT Techs among the highest wages in the nation ($40,280 avg) plus no state income tax—a powerful combination. Seattle's tech economy has inflated wages across all sectors; healthcare workers benefit. The trade-off is severe Seattle housing costs. PT Techs who navigate housing challenges (living in suburbs, having roommates, commuting) find financial reward unmatched in most markets.
UW Medicine: Pacific Northwest Excellence
UW Medicine is the Pacific Northwest's premier academic medical center, ranking in the top 20 nationally. Harborview Medical Center serves as the region's Level 1 trauma center, treating the most complex cases from five states. PT Techs at UW gain exposure to academic medicine, trauma care, and research rarely available at entry level. This experience provides exceptional career foundation.
| Region | Salary Range | Externship Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Metro | $41K-$53K | UW Medicine, highest wages |
| Tacoma/South Sound | $38K-$49K | MultiCare, more affordable |
| Olympia | $36K-$46K | State capital |
| Spokane | $34K-$44K | Providence, lowest COL |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about PTT externships in Washington
Why does Washington have among the highest PT Tech wages?
What makes UW Medicine exceptional for PT careers?
Can PT Techs afford Seattle?
Does Washington's no income tax really help?
What PTA programs are in Washington?
How many hours should a PTT externship be in Washington?
Ready to Start Your PTT Career in Washington?
Complete your free training with EHired, then secure an externship at one of Washington's top rehabilitation facilities. Many externs convert their experience into full-time positions.