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Rehab Therapy Extern
Company : Select Medical
Location : Fenton, MO, 63026-2394
Job Type : Full Time / Part Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Overview
SSM Health Rehabilitation Acute Care
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital
Rehab Therapy Extern - Per Diem
Candidate must be available ONE weekend shift per month minimum.
SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton, a Level I Time Critical Diagnosis STEMI Center and a Level I Stroke Center, serves the medical needs of the expanding community in southwest St. Louis County. Specializing in heart and vascular, neurosciences, cancer care, maternity and other medical services, SSM Health St. Clare makes your health and wellness a primary focus.
Responsibilities
- Lifts patients to/from mats, treatment and tilt tables, wheelchairs and other equipment appropriate to the facility/department
- Assists patients with transfer activities to all surfaces
- Assists patients in donning/doffing all appliances specific to the facility/department.Positions patients in parallel bars and prepares patients for standing with appropriate orthotic/prosthetic devices and equipment
- Transports patients to/from therapy as needed.Assists therapist with other patient related treatment activities as appropriate and providing equipment
- Assist with patient related activities including equipment set-up and patient positioning in preparation for therapy session as outlined in the State Practice Act.
- Maintains the department and department equipment in a clean and orderly condition
- Prepares department each morning
- Picks up equipment during treatment hours and at the end of treatment day
- Maintains department and disinfects equipment throughout and at the conclusion of the treatment day according to hospital infection control policies and procedures
- Reports defective equipment to DOR
- Ensures maintenance of cleaning logs and refrigerator temperature logs
- Follows and assists with facility infection control policies and risk management procedures
- Assists the DOR with identification of support staff needs for patient care in the rehab treatment areas and coordination of such between rehab and nursing floors
- Participates in therapeutic dysphagia and feeding program as requested and supervised by the therapists
Qualifications
- Must be a current student accepted in an OT, SLP, or PT program
Additional Data
Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disabled/Veterans
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Frequently asked questions
A Rehab Therapy Extern supports therapists by assisting patients with transfers, positioning, and using orthotic devices, which accelerates rehabilitation. This hands-on role in acute care environments like SSM Health St. Clare Hospital enables externs to gain critical experience in patient mobility and therapeutic interventions.
Candidates must be actively enrolled in an occupational therapy, physical therapy, or speech-language pathology program. This educational background is vital for understanding therapeutic techniques and complying with state practice acts specific to rehab therapy roles in Fenton’s healthcare facilities.
Externship experience often opens doors to full-time rehabilitation therapy roles, including positions as rehab aides or therapy assistants. Gaining practical skills during this period enhances employability in specialized rehab medical centers and increases readiness for clinical rehab specialist certifications.
Select Medical integrates externs into a multidisciplinary team at SSM Health St. Clare, exposing them to diverse cases like stroke and cardiac rehab. Their focus on comprehensive patient care and infection control protocols provides a robust clinical environment uncommon in many rehab therapy internships.
Students gain direct experience handling patient transfers, equipment maintenance, and collaborating in therapeutic dysphagia programs. This hands-on training under therapist supervision equips externs with practical skills essential for roles such as rehab therapy aides or clinical rehabilitation counselors.
In Fenton, MO, Rehab Therapy Externs typically earn between $15 and $20 per hour, reflecting local healthcare market rates. Compensation varies with experience and educational background, positioning this role competitively among rehab internships and physical therapy aide positions.
While formal certifications aren’t mandatory for externs, enrollment in accredited OT, PT, or SLP programs is essential. Additionally, familiarity with infection control standards and therapeutic equipment handling is highly valued in southwest St. Louis County’s acute rehab facilities.
Fenton’s growing healthcare sector and SSM Health’s status as a Level I stroke center increase demand for rehab professionals. This dynamic creates ample externship openings and potential transitions into permanent rehab therapy roles within Select Medical and affiliated hospitals.
Externs at Select Medical engage in patient transfers, assist with orthotic device application, and maintain therapy equipment, blending clinical involvement with logistical support. Unlike general rehab techs, externs participate closely in therapeutic dysphagia programs and detailed infection control measures.
Yes, many extern roles, including Select Medical’s, require at least one weekend shift monthly. This schedule flexibility reflects the continuous patient care needs in acute rehab settings and helps externs adapt to real-world healthcare work patterns.