Athletico’s Student Clinical Education Program is designed to enhance the training of physical therapy, physical therapy assistant, and occupational therapy students in the clinical setting by offering unique learning opportunities. Our student program combined with our clinical instructors (CIs) challenges our students and prepares them to meet the competencies required of entry-level clinicians.
Athletico is honored to collaborate with accredited physical and occupational therapy programs nationwide, empowering the next generation of therapists to excel and elevate the profession.
What can you expect from your clinical experience at Athletico?
In addition to partnering with your CI, we offer the opportunity to customize your personal learning experiences based on topics that ignite your passion and purpose.
Clinical Excellence
- Enhance your foundational clinical reasoning and exercise prescription skills
- Learn specialty clinical techniques from our highly skilled therapists who are trained in Athletico’s Specialized Services, Clinical Programs, and Specialty Techniques
- Shadow other Athletico clinics to experience each team’s unique operations and treatment styles
- Engage with therapists who hold advanced certifications or training, including but not limited to Board-Certified Specialists (Orthopedic, Sports, Geriatrics, Women’s Health), Certified Manual Therapists, Fellowship Trained, or Certified Hand Therapists
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals (PTs, PTAs, OTs, OTAs, ATs)
- Attend physician lectures, patient-referring provider visits, and surgical observations
- Develop your skills through evidence-based webinars hosted by our Athletico expert clinicians
- Enhance your clinical training at in-person continuing education courses through Athletico University
Mentorship and Support
- Comprehensive onboarding and Student Handbook to prepare for your clinical experience
- Collaborative goal-setting and open dialogue with your CI
- 1:1 weekly meetings with your CI focused on skills practice and patient care management, such as manual therapy techniques, exercise prescription and progression, clinical reasoning, and patient and interdisciplinary communication
- Opportunity to experience mentor sessions alongside new graduate therapists: Clinician Mentoring Program
- Mid-point conversation with our Student Engagement Team to check in about your experience and connect you to professional development resources
- Continual support from your Athletico Site Coordinator of Clinical Education
Team Engagement
- Access Professional Development Webinars such as Gear Up for Graduation, Roadmap to Residency, and Financial Wellness
- Engage in team meetings to become familiar with clinic operations, our team, and culture
- Attend local community events with clinic staff through Community Involvement
- Schedule a resume review and mock interview
- Participate in professional development opportunities and Student Engagement Events
- Stay connected with Athletico through our Student Newsletter for clinical and professional development content and events, such as discounted NPTE prep courses
You will have access to our network of resources during and after your clinical experience.
Unlock these educational and professional opportunities by joining Athletico for your clinical experience!
Specialty Clinical Experiences
Athletico is proud to offer specialty physical therapy clinical experiences through our Student-to-Specialist program, S2S. This is an opportunity for students interested in gaining hands- on experience alongside a clinician who has their OCS, Manual Therapy Certification, or is trained in Vestibular, Pelvic Health, Endurance, or Performing Arts rehabilitation. This is an advanced- level clinical experience for final- year PT students interested in orthopedics.
Please apply through the applications below. The academic Director of Clinical Education may contact your local SCCE, or email clinicaleducation@athletico.com to inquire about our availability if the deadline application has passed.
- Endurance Specialty Clinical Application
- Gymnastics/Cheerleading Specialty Clinical Application
- Manual Therapy Specialty Clinical Application
- Pelvic Health Specialty Clinical Application
- Performing Arts Specialty Clinical Application
- Sports Specialty Clinical Application
- Concussion/Vestibular Specialty Clinical Application
Job Shadow/Student Observation Opportunities
To learn more about Job Shadow/Observation opportunities with Athletico, click the button below.
Student Observation/Shadowing Request
Information for DPT, OT/OTD, or PTA Students
If you are interested in setting up one of your clinical rotation experiences with Athletico, please communicate with the Director of Clinical Education, DCE, at your academic institution. Your DCE will contact Athletico to make appropriate arrangements. The Site Coordinator of Clinical Education, SCCE, is responsible for coordinating assignments and activities of students within Athletico. Your local SCCE will ask you to provide a list of your preferred top 5 locations, then your SCCE will work to find the best location and Clinical Instructor, CI, to fit your request.
Information for Academic Institutions
Please contact our team at clinicaleducation@athletico.com for more information to establish a contract and become an affiliate academic institution with Athletico. For established academic affiliates, please contact your Site Coordinator of Clinical Education, SCCE, directly for student placements.
Contact Information
- If you should have any questions regarding Athletico Physical or Occupational Therapy Student Clinical Experiences, please contact: clinicaleducation@athletico.com
- Shadow/Observation opportunities: Request to shadow a clinic here.