Student Clinical Experiences

At Makovicka Physical Therapy, we believe tomorrow’s therapists are shaped by today’s experiences. That’s why we are proud to offer a supportive environment for physical and occupational therapy students to complete their clinical rotations, where they can apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios. Makovicka Physical Therapy provides access to experienced therapists in an outpatient setting, where students will have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of patients of all ages and conditions. All student experiences are unpaid and do not guarantee employment upon completion.

Makovicka Physical Therapy offers cutting-edge orthopaedic care that provides a quality student experience:

We have an established Best Practice Committee that works to ensure consistently delivered evidence-based care in all the clinics
Special Interest Groups provide a higher level of expertise and professional development
Recognition for excellence from local chambers of commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and more

Our clinics are located in the metro areas of Omaha, Lincoln, and surrounding areas, including Plattsmouth, Waverly, Wahoo, Yutan, and Valley, Nebraska. This provides convenient locations in both rural and urban settings for student clinical experiences.

Student Experiences We Offer:

Clinical rotations. These are supervised, hands-on patient care experiences that meet the requirements of a student’s program curriculum. Makovicka Physical Therapy has partnerships with many schools in the Midwest, and we continually look to expand these collaborations.
- Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapist Assistants

Internships. These are general programs that do not offer direct patient care options. Instead, an internship offers opportunities to observe patient care, possibly assist with scribing and other clinical tasks, and gain insight into the day-to-day activities of an outpatient physical therapy clinic.
- Internship duration may be short (days) or long (weeks/months), depending upon the goals of the student and the needs of the clinic director/manager.

Job Shadowing. These are short-term (2-8 hours) opportunities to observe and learn about the daily routine, tasks, and responsibilities of staff in an outpatient physical therapy clinic along with getting a snapshot of the job/potential career field.
- Job shadowing is helpful for students to decide if a particular field is a good fit for them before they consider committing to a more extensive internship.
- Shadowing helps students connect the career field with the skill sets and educational requirements of the position.

Student Experiences at Makovicka Physical Therapy Provide:

Mentorship and support- Receive guidance and feedback from our high-level, experienced therapists to build confidence and sharpen your skills.
A wide variety of speciality clinical experiences including vestibular therapy, hand therapy, occupational health, women’s health, aquatics, and more.
Community connections-Be part of a locally owned practice that values relationships and makes a difference in the communities where we have clinic locations.
Culture in action- witness how Makovicka Physical Therapy’s culture impacts their employees and patients.

Are you ready to learn with us?

Complete the information form and provide helpful information to help us match you to the best experience.

Important Items:

All students, regardless of which experience you are participating in, must adhere to HIPAA requirements.
As a guest in a Makovicka Physical Therapy clinic, we expect courteous and respectful observation.
A **professional dress code must be followed while in the clinic setting.

**There are two options for clinical attire that fit our dress code:

1. The first option is defined as business casual for all employees working in the clinic. Business casual is defined as clothing that is less formal than traditional business wear but is still intended to give a professional and business-like impression.

Business casual for men includes khakis or slacks and collared shirts.
Business casual for women includes khakis, slacks, collared shirts, blouses, and sweaters with modest neck lines.
The Makovicka Physical Therapy logo is the only logo allowed on clinical wear, except for logos of sports teams allowed on specific days. This would include no buttons, pins, or other adornments.

2. The second option is the Makovicka designated black long or short sleeve t-shirt with black athletic pants. Athletic pants do include joggers for this dress code option. Black quarter or full zip can be worn over designated black shirt.

Attire Guidelines

1. Hooded sweatshirts and jackets are not permitted.
2. Exceptions to the dress code policy on special occasions may take place, please make sure attire is professional.
3. Dress or athletic shoes are suggested but must be clean. Socks are required. Open-toed shoes are not permitted in the clinic.
4. Hairstyles should be neat and professional. Beards, mustaches, and sideburns must be neat and trimmed close to the face.
5. Nails should be neat, trimmed to ¼” or less and cleaned. Artificial nails or extenders are not to be worn by direct patient care staff.
6. Tattoos on the face and neck are strictly prohibited. Tattoos must not display images, symbols, or text that could be considered offensive, inappropriate, or contrary to the values of the organization. Visible piercings are limited to the ears and small nose studs. If an employee has a tattoo or piercing for religious, cultural, or medical reasons, accommodations may be made.
7. Perfume, cologne, or scented lotions should not be worn.

Pants Guidelines

1. Skin-tight pants are those that fit very closely to the body, often made from stretchy materials like leggings or spandex are not permitted. These types of pants can be revealing and do not align with our professional standards. Extremely tight-fitting fabric is not permitted: fabric must allow for a minimum 1 inch (about 2 fingers) width separation from the body when pulled (before the fabric is stretched), ensuring a professional and modest appearance with unrestricted movement. Capris, leggings, yoga pants, and any type of cotton or fleece sweatpants are not permitted.

Opt for styles that provide coverage and comfort.
Choose materials that are appropriate for the workplace avoiding overly casual fabrics and fabrics that cling to the body.

2. No skin should be shown between tops and slacks.