How does your program choose your clinical sites?

[DPTPT]

Hello everyone I am in my 2nd year of PT school and I will be starting my first internship soon. I am curious to know how other programs pick sites for students.
In my program we use a system called “exxact” where we have a wish list and can choose up to 10 sites (5 inpatient and 5 outpatient). However, it’s a very bad system and not many options (esp for inpatient). Also, it’s confusing because for example 1 student chose a site as their number 1 but then some other student got that person’s site and it wasn’t even on their list-this has happened a lot.

It’s basically lottery system for us because most ppl don’t even get what’s on their wishlist. I am just curious to know how it works with in other programs. Thanks !

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[ya1]

My school claimed they tried to place students as close to their home location as possible. Which was BS since they sent many students more than 100mi away. They would say "no closer sites are available." Which was again BS because there are soooo many clinics around and other schools in the area were able to place students to clinics within drivable distance.
We also had the right to submit a request for a clinic which the school did not have a contract with yet. The school would contact (as they claimed) that new clinic to see if it would be interested to have an intern. If it does, you would get your internship there.
We used exxat too, but we did not pick anything there. So I think it depends on the school how much effort clinical education people put into the search for the clinics that fir you the best.

 

[wiseOldPT]

This is a good question for prospective students to ask when deciding schools. Ask the school what their system is and ask students what it actually becomes... Always remember that just because a school has a contract with your dream clinic/hospital, it doesn't mean the site will accept students at the time of your experience, or that you will be the lucky one to get the spot! And also remember that great clinical experiences can happen at no-name clinics in itty bitty towns (yes, can be an annoyance to find housing and such), and horrific clinics can happen at #1 ranked hospitals, so try to be open minded!

 

[kdubz7w7]

Hello everyone I am in my 2nd year of PT school and I will be starting my first internship soon. I am curious to know how other programs pick sites for students.
In my program we use a system called “exxact” where we have a wish list and can choose up to 10 sites (5 inpatient and 5 outpatient). However, it’s a very bad system and not many options (esp for inpatient). Also, it’s confusing because for example 1 student chose a site as their number 1 but then some other student got that person’s site and it wasn’t even on their list-this has happened a lot.

It’s basically lottery system for us because most ppl don’t even get what’s on their wishlist. I am just curious to know how it works with in other programs. Thanks !

We use Exxat, too. If there aren't many options, that's on your school, not Exxat - your school is who sets up those contracts.
We just used it for the first time and I don't remember it being glitchy or anything. But I don't think any two students applied to the same slots, so I am not sure how the "lottery" aspect of it plays out - that sounds kind of frustrating. We all got our top choices. I don't really mind Exxat. It's a little confusing when a company has several sites but it otherwise seems okay.
Prior to Exxat, we were given the options, selected our top 3, and our clin ed director matched us up accordingly. For the slots with multiple requests, she hand-picked who could go, based on strength as a student, professional interests, and whether or not the student could go to that clinic for a different rotation.

 

[jjorde1]

I am attending an interview on Friday and would like to ask the staff more about how they chose clinical sites. What is a good way to word this when asking them in the interview?

 

[kdubz7w7]

I am attending an interview on Friday and would like to ask the staff more about how they chose clinical sites. What is a good way to word this when asking them in the interview?

I would just ask what their system is. "How does clinical site placements work" - are you placed, do you get any say in it, is it a lottery where you submit your top X# choices? I would also ask if they are open to starting a new contract with a site you really want to go to. Meaning, you know you really want to go to a particular site and the school does not have a contract with them - are they willing to start new contracts? My school happily does this.
I personally would NOT want to go to a school where I did not have any say in my placements. They play such a pivotal role in your education - it's a very special and unique experience.

 

[deleted797640]

We also use exxat and utilize a wishlist. You have to realize if your inpatient choices are not good it is because of your schools clinical coordinator and the contracts your program has with facilities not due to exxat. If you have specific locations you wish to go bring the information to your faculty and ask if it is possible to open a contract with the facility for you (this may take some time). Also, exxat can classify sites as either in-patient/out-patient but those sites could be anything from pediatrics to burns to neuro to HH or any other specialty. If your school is not entering contracts under specific specialties it is up to you to look up the site and find out if they are specialized or if they are a general acute care or SNF.