PT tech/aide position

[leh1387]

Hi all,

I'm having the hardest time getting a PT tech position at a hospital. I get called in for interviews and everything goes great until they get to that one question, "So are you planning on applying/going to PT school?" I haven't been accepted anywhere yet, and I don't know if I even will get accepted this cycle, but I can't find it in my heart to lie to them. I reply "Yes I have applied but have not been accepted anywhere as of yet." That happened to me last week and I didn't get the job. I just had a phone interview yet again for that position and the same thing happened. I really want to work as a tech, gain experience, and earn money for the work I do. I loved volunteering at the hospital so I really want to work there, especially in the future as a PT. Do any of you have any suggestions as to handle that question better? Is there anything else I can say? I don't feel like I have any other option than to tell them the truth about where I am in the process. Has anyone else experienced this same type of problem?

Thanks for any advice!

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[rockstudy]

I agree, I think it's best to be honest about applying to schools. I would call and ask the person who interviewed you if this had anything to do with not getting the job. Maybe it's something else. Whatever it is it would be good to know for any future applications. If they haven't filled the position you might be able to convince them to give you another shot.

 

[Ambspt]

I had the exact same problem this past summer. I graduated in August and wanted to work as a tech to gain more experience since you can't do anything hands on while volunteering. I always hated that question as well, because this is my second time applying to PT school so there's no guarantee I will get in. I've been on close to 10 interviews. I finally received a job for a PRN position which means it's as needed. It's the best position for me at this time, because most of the people who work in this position are students. So they understand your schedule will change and you may not be able to work often. If i get accepted somewhere close I can still work on the weekends. If I don't get accepted anywhere close they will still keep me the system so I can work over breaks if I want. Also, since it's PRN they really want you to train at multiple locations so that you can fill in whereever you are needed. This allows me to gain hands on experience in multiple hospitals. I've only been working with them for a few weeks but so far I like. Even though it's not that many hours right now, it's definitely better than nothing.

 

[Ambspt]

Also, I wanted to note that the reason I didn't get many of those jobs was due to my lack of experience. The companies didn't look at my volunteering at different clinics as experience, so often the job would go to someone who already experience as a pt tech. So I'm not sure if you have any experience as a tech already but that may have been another factor as to why you didn't get the job either.

 

[leh1387]

Thank you both for your replies. They were both very helpful. I tried emailing the last recruiter to see why I didn't get the position but she never responded. As soon as I say that I've applied, the entire tone of the interview changes, and they act surprised. I have 450 hours of volunteer experience but maybe they don't technically count it as experience either, as you said ambspt. I'm going to continue applying because the program I really want to go to doesn't start until next January and I believe I could gain a lot of valuable experience working at a hospital as a tech for a year. So I'll continue to be honest and ask for feedback if I'm not offered the positions. Thanks guys!

 

[djb051]

I had this same problem.
I am currently a rehab tech (as of september 2012), part-time though. So I started applying for other tech jobs (either part-time or prn). I wanted to be full-time between 2 jobs essentially. I had the same problem as you. I was asked that same question at every interview, and I didn't want to lie either. You definitely shouldn't if you want to leave a place on a better note. But anyways, pretty much every place I interviewed at ideally wanted someone that could work for at least a year. If accepted, I wouldn't be able to work that long. I was told also a few times that that is why I was not offered the job. I seemed to have the most luck with a PRN position that I applied for. I was invited for 3 interviews with that job, and they knew on the first one that I was already applying to schools. Even though I ended up not getting the job, it was for another reason (not because I might be leaving for school soon).
My advice though, definitely try for PRN or you could always try to get a job as a tech/aide at a place you are already volunteering at. I have found that if you are already volunteering somewhere, and a position becomes available, they may still hire you on anyways (knowing you may be leaving soon) just because you would already be familiar with their clinic, which saves them time and money on hiring someone new at that moment and on training.

 

[DPTHopeful2012]

You haven't gotten the job because you might be starting school in May-Sept and the company doesn't want somebody for such a short time. It takes a lot of time and money to hire & train people, so I wouldn't assume you haven't gotten the job because you haven't been accepted anywhere. From a business standpoint, it isn't wise to hire somebody for such a short time. That's how I see your situation.

 

[Hopefulone13]

I'm in the same situation. Ive been applying everywhere I see an opening for a tech position. I can't get a job cuz I have no experience because I can't get a job :/

 

[StudentRehab]

I don't understand the problem here? You're upset because a hospital won't hire you since you may potentially leave them in May or August? As a rehab tech, there were days of training and weeks of adjusting to the hospital before getting the "flow" of things to be a productive member of the department. You have to understand from their point of view that it's not easy just to add a tech into their system, so they have to choose wisely. Maybe try applying once you've been denied from all your choices, that way they know they will at least have you for 12 months until the next class of DPT's are accepted.

The way I got my job was I has a previous rehab tech friend refer me. Easiest way in my opinion.