Physical Therapy Student InternAt — In Motion O.C. Physical Therapy and Fitness

The Physical Therapy Student Intern will assist licensed physical therapists in providing high-quality patient care in an outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation setting. Responsibilities include supporting therapists with exercise supervision, treatment area setup and cleanup, patient flow management, and basic administrative duties such as scheduling, filing, and maintaining clinic organization. The intern will observe and participate in various aspects of the rehabilitation process—from initial evaluations to discharge planning—while gaining hands-on experience with therapeutic exercises, modalities, and patient education. This internship is designed to provide valuable clinical exposure and mentorship for students pursuing a degree in kinesiology, exercise science, or a related health field and is eligible for college credit.

Tasks:

Patient Care Support (Pre-Professional Duties):

Assist physical therapists with patient exercise supervision, form correction, and appropriate progression of therapeutic activities.

Prepare and sanitize treatment areas before and after sessions to ensure a safe, efficient clinical environment.

Observe and record patient responses during treatment under therapist supervision to enhance clinical reasoning and documentation awareness.

Clinical Observation & Learning:

Shadow licensed physical therapists during patient evaluations and follow-up treatments to gain exposure to differential diagnosis, manual therapy techniques, and evidence-based care planning.

Participate in case discussions, weekly mentorship meetings, and learning debriefs to connect academic theory with real-world application.

Conduct brief literature reviews or review treatment protocols to understand the rationale behind therapeutic interventions.

Professional Development & Communication:

Interact professionally with patients and staff, practicing clear and empathetic communication to build rapport and foster a supportive treatment atmosphere.

Contribute to team meetings or case conferences when appropriate, demonstrating professional etiquette and clinical curiosity.

Clinic Operations (Supplementary Duties):

Assist with front desk tasks such as patient scheduling, chart preparation, and organizing treatment supplies to understand the administrative side of outpatient practice.

Support marketing or community outreach efforts (e.g., wellness events, social media content) when relevant to clinic education initiatives.

Training:

Students will begin their internship with a general orientation covering clinic policies, HIPAA compliance, patient privacy, safety procedures, and an overview of the clinic’s treatment philosophy and workflow. Throughout the semester, interns will engage in weekly one-on-one mentorship meetings with their supervising physical therapist to review progress, set goals, and discuss clinical reasoning behind treatment approaches. Students will receive extensive job shadowing opportunities, observing evaluations, manual therapy techniques, and patient exercise progression. Hands-on skills training sessions will focus on proper exercise demonstration, cueing, use of therapeutic equipment, and clinic documentation processes. Interns will also be provided contextualized task overviews before new responsibilities and may complete short literature reviews or discussions on relevant rehabilitation topics to reinforce evidence-based learning. This structured training ensures consistent professional growth, confidence, and readiness for future clinical roles.

Learning Outcome:

Clinical Observation & Application:
Develop a foundational understanding of outpatient orthopedic and sports rehabilitation practices by observing licensed physical therapists, identifying common musculoskeletal conditions, and applying evidence-based exercise principles under supervision.

Patient Interaction & Communication:
Enhance interpersonal and professional communication skills by engaging with patients during treatment sessions, accurately relaying therapist instructions, and contributing to a positive, motivating clinic environment.

Professional Development & Clinic Operations:
Demonstrate growth in professional conduct, time management, and teamwork by actively participating in daily clinic operations, maintaining treatment area organization, and reflecting on how clinical experiences connect to academic coursework and career goals.