Observation hours in Austin, TX

[NterthaW]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Howdy,

Anybody have any good recommendations for where I can get some observation hours in Austin, TX? I've observed at a couple of clinics, but the staff hasn't seemed interested in having me back. It's almost like they're oblivious to the fact that PT school applicants need hundreds of hours of observation. (Maybe it's just me.) Since I'm going to need letters of recommendation from PTs, I feel like the PTs I observe should really want me to be there and should be excited about teaching me. Do those PTs exist? Or are they like unicorns?

Suggestions much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[tweaze]

I don't know anything about Texas specifically, but I do know that many clinics often have several students shadowing throughout the year, so it might get a little old for them. Some also have caps on the amount of hours a student can complete with them. Did they specifically say they didn't want you back? If not, it might be helpful to get in contact with them, explain how many hours overall you want to accumulate, and ask if they can accommodate you. I didn't feel much rapport with the primary PT I shadowed at first, but over time we developed a good relationship.

 

[628634]

Hi NterthaW, I would look at Texas Physical Therapy Specialists in Austin, Tx. I live in Austin and worked as a PT tech with this company for about 18 months. Best time/decision I made. I know you might even get a part time tech job if you wanted. But I know when I was working, the PT's were always welcoming volunteers. We def. had a few peeps that were strange and the PT's def. didn't allow them back. My suggestion is when doing observation, take notes, chat with the PT's when they are NOT busy or with patients/doing notes. Help the techs with anything they might need help with. All this and the letter of recommentation should be great coming from any PT. Try not to chat with any patients. Do the "whole" observing but def. seem like you are actually wanting to learn by taking notes and talking to the PT/techs. Always ask if there is something they would like you to help them with. That's a plus. Sit back and just learn.

 

[DesertPT]

PT school applicants need hundreds of hours of observation.

Maybe a hundred or a couple hundred...but hundreds is just killing yourself if all you are doing is being an observer...if you're working as a tech you could obviously have hundreds or thousands, but standing there as a shadower for more than maybe 150hrs at the most is just torture in my opinion.

If you have done 150 hours in say 4 different practice settings, I'm not sure how much doing more is really going to help you...if you have a good GPA and GRE score you probably won't need it and if you have crap numbers then doing more observation hours is not going to make up for it...

If you are spending day after day after day just standing around watching in a PT clinic, you need to either ask for a job or call it good at some point.