Pre-PT Resources

Essential Functions refer to acceptable demonstration of mastery and/or competence in various disciplines throughout the professional phase of the DPT program. These areas of competency are:

  1. Affective skills that include emotional, behavioral / social, professionalism, and cultural competence.

  2. Cognitive skills that include sufficient intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities to make effective judgments about patient / client management.

  3. Motor skills that include all necessary psychomotor clinical skills for patient care.

  4. Sensory skills including perceptual and observation skills necessary for patient care.

  5. Communication skills including verbal (oral and written) and non-verbal abilities.

Physical Therapy Careers

  • Typical Day of a Physical Therapist

  • What is it really like to be a PT?

  • Practice Settings

  • Types of Conditions Treated by PTs

  • Job Satisfaction and Outlook

  • Salaries

  • Licensure

  • Why I Chose a Career in PT?

Gain Experience

Interested in shadowing at ATI on the first floor of the LLC? Apply for ATI's Student Observation Program for (specify clinic locations on application)

Find a PT also allows you to search a national database of physical therapist members of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Search for volunteer/shadowing opportunities by entering your zip code to find a PT in your area.


Magee Rehabilitation Hospital

Gain volunteering/shadowing experience by committing at least six months of service or a minimum of 100 volunteer hours. You can apply to volunteer in the following departments: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy or the Nutrition. Learn more about the application process for shadowing opportunities.

Good Shepherd

Based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd is a nationally recognized rehabilitation leader, offering a continuum of care for people with injuries, complex medical needs and physical and/or cognitive disabilities. More than 60,000 adults and children come to Good Shepherd each year for specialized programs in stroke, orthopedics and sports injuries, brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation and more.

Consider your skills and talents by volunteering in the following ways from a variety of their sites and outpatient locations:

  • Companion to our long-term care residents

  • Patient/resident transporter

  • Patient ambassador

  • Clerical assistant

Good Shepherd Penn Partners is a joint venture between Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Penn Medicine that offers a variety of unique volunteer opportunities as well: