Physical Therapy AideAt — Salinas Physical Therapy/Sports Medicine

Our mission at Salinas Physical Therapy is to enhance the quality of people's lives. We do this by providing solutions for injuries, painful conditions, and post-operative procedures because everyone deserves to live a life without limits. We are one of the most trusted sources for sports and orthopedic physical therapy in the area.

The Physical Therapy Aide Internship position involves working with and assisting a licensed Physical Therapist with monitoring therapeutic exercise protocols for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The aide is required to instruct and interact with a variety of people of all age groups.

The Physical Therapy Aide Internship is a part-time at-will position that requires general knowledge of:

• Human Anatomy
• Exercise Strength and Conditioning
• Health Promotion
• Customer Service

The Physical Therapy Aide will also assist with cleaning equipment, setting up modalities, and general maintenance of the facility. We pride ourselves on providing the best possible service in a clean and safe environment.

If you are a motivated and enthusiastic individual looking to gain experience in the field of physical therapy and sports medicine, please submit your resume and cover letter for consideration.

Tasks:

Observe and actively assist licensed Physical Therapists in monitoring and instructing patients through individualized therapeutic exercise programs for musculoskeletal injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, and sports-related conditions.

Provide verbal and tactile cueing to patients on proper exercise technique, posture, movement quality, and breathing while identifying and correcting common movement compensations in real time.
Apply knowledge of human anatomy and kinesiology to explain exercise purpose, targeted muscle groups, and joint mechanics to patients of varying ages and conditions.

Monitor patient performance, vital signs (as appropriate), and response to exercise; report observations and any concerns to the supervising Physical Therapist.
Progress or modify exercises under direct PT supervision based on patient tolerance, feedback, and established protocols.

Set up, explain, and safely apply common physical therapy modalities (e.g., ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat/cold therapy, TENS, traction) under therapist direction.

Conduct one-on-one or small group patient education sessions on topics such as proper body mechanics, home exercise programs, injury prevention, and basic health promotion strategies.

Document patient exercise participation, tolerance, and basic performance notes in accordance with clinic and legal documentation standards (co-signed by supervising PT).

Participate in patient case discussions with the supervising Physical Therapist to understand clinical reasoning, goal setting, and treatment progression.

Prepare treatment areas and equipment prior to patient sessions.

Clean and disinfect therapy equipment and treatment tables between patients following infection control protocols.

Assist with general clinic organization and light maintenance to maintain a professional, safe, and efficient environment.

Training:

Training Components Include:

Mandatory Initial General Employer Orientation which includes:

All interns complete a comprehensive orientation on their first day. This covers clinic policies, HIPAA/privacy regulations, infection control and safety procedures, emergency protocols, and an introduction to our mission, values, and patient-centered culture.

Job Shadowing and Progressive Hands-On Training
Students begin with direct job shadowing of licensed Physical Therapists and experienced aides. They gradually progress to actively assisting with patient exercises, cueing technique, and monitoring sessions under close supervision. Tasks are introduced with a clear overview and contextualization so students understand the “why” behind each activity.

Skills Workshops and Targeted Training Sessions
Regular short workshops are conducted on key topics such as: Proper exercise technique and common compensations
Anatomy review and palpation skills
Modality setup and safety (ultrasound, electrical stimulation, heat/cold therapy, etc.)

Patient communication and motivational techniques
Strength & conditioning principles in rehabilitation

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:
Apply knowledge of human anatomy and kinesiology to correctly identify major muscle groups, joint movements, and common movement compensations while assisting patients with therapeutic exercises for musculoskeletal conditions.

Safely monitor and instruct patients through prescribed therapeutic exercise protocols, including proper exercise technique, progression, and modification based on patient feedback and performance.

Demonstrate effective patient interaction and communication skills by building rapport, providing clear instructions, offering motivational support, and delivering excellent customer service to patients of all age groups.

Understand and assist with basic physical therapy modalities and clinical operations, including proper setup of treatment equipment, application of common modalities, and maintaining a clean, safe, and organized clinical environment.

Integrate principles of strength and conditioning, health promotion, and injury recovery to support patients’ rehabilitation goals and recognize the importance of individualized care in improving quality of life.