Overview
We are an organization that values education and our goal is to provide a structured and well-rounded experience for our OT students. Here you will be part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary team that serves both inpatients and outpatients. Please use the links below to learn more about the many opportunities that exist for occupational therapy students throughout our network.
Inpatient rehabilitation at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
As a student at MedStar NRH, you will be part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary team of therapists, psychologists, social workers, rehab engineers, nurses and physicians. MedStar NRH serves both inpatients and outpatients with a strong "customer service/safety first" culture. In addition to excellent patient care, we have a strong focus on research and education. MedStar Health Physical Therapy, our outpatient network, spans Maryland, DC, and Virginia. Students are accepted for either setting; however, we do not accept students for their first fieldwork experience.
Our program requires strong time management and organizational skills, a willingness to receive and provide feedback, flexibility, and the ability to handle stress. MedStar NRH is an extremely busy and fast-paced environment - students should plan to complete assignments and patient-care planning outside of regular work hours as needed (1-3 hours per day). It is also recommended that you limit your commute time as this can be a big stressor, especially for students from outside the area.
As a student, you are expected to carry a caseload of 6-7 patients and a group by the end of your fieldwork and be competent to evaluate, treat, discharge plan, order equipment, manage your schedule, and communicate with the interdisciplinary team regarding a basic patient in your assigned unit. We do not require a project, however an opportunity to present a 15- to 30-minute case study or evidence-based practice article may be available.
Our Clinical Supervisors have all completed a required CI course and have more than one year of clinical experience. We are an organization that values education and our students, and we make every effort to provide a structured and well-rounded experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Neepa Shah, MS, OTR/L, Clinical Supervisor/Student Fieldwork Coordinator at neepa.shah@medstar.net.
To learn more, please visit the student information center
The hospital address is: 102 Irving Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20010. Phone: 202-877-1000
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Registered students
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Level 1 students
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Level 2 students
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General information
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Academic Fieldwork Coordinators
Acute care rehabilitation at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
MedStar Washington Hospital Center is the largest private hospital in the nation's capital. A member of MedStar Health, the not-for-profit Hospital Center is licensed for 926 beds and, on average, operates at near capacity. Health services in primary, secondary and tertiary care are offered to adult and neonatal patients.
Managed by MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department at MedStar Washington Hospital Center serves patients who can benefit from medical rehabilitation but whose level of recovery requires them to stay in an acute-care hospital setting. Services are available for persons with stroke, traumatic injuries, musculoskeletal and orthopedic disorders, and other acute medical conditions. Clinical team members include physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and physical and occupational therapists.
The hospital address is: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, 110 Irving Street, NW, Washington, D.C., 20010. Phone: 202-877-7000
MedStar Health physical therapy
The outpatient facilities in the MedStar Health Physical Therapy address the needs of a variety of patient populations. Work Hardening, chronic pain management, sports medicine, women's health and treatment of repetitive motion disorders are only a few of the many services that are provided. Clinics are in Washington, D.C., Maryland and the Northern Virginia areas.
The outpatient center at Irving Street provides services for a broad range of diagnostic categories. Patients are treated by therapists individually, in groups and through several interdisciplinary clinics. These include seating clinic, wound clinic, post-polio clinic, MS clinic, amputee clinic, oncology clinic, vestibular clinic, and orthotics clinic.
Students are accepted at most sites and are mentored by experienced clinical instructors.
General information
General information for students: All outpatient students are sent an introductory letter that includes information about placement, clinical instructor and health requirements approximately 6 weeks prior to start date. Outpatient students are not required to attend orientation at our main campus but will be required to complete orientation tasks at their affiliation site. Students can attend a student luncheon that is sponsored monthly at the main campus during which time they can opt to spend the day observing at the hospital. Also, observation of surgery, and shadowing physicians can be arranged.
Resources available: Students may access textbooks and resource material at each site. Also, most sites have internet access and access to a variety of medical journals through our libraries. Students can observed specialized clinicians at other sites as time permits.