Community Rehabilitation Clinic
What is Community Rehabilitation Clinic?
The Community Rehabilitation Clinic is a pro-bono physical therapy clinic located in Provo, Utah. Our specialists serve patients with the assistance of students from Rocky Mountain University, Brigham Young University, and Utah Valley University. The CRC serves individuals below the poverty line and provides them with an opportunity for treatment that otherwise might not be possible.
Medical Interpreting: Many of the patients we see at the clinic speak Spanish, but we have also had Russian-, Portuguese-, Haitian Creole-, and Mandarin-speaking patients. If you speak a foreign language and would like to join our on-call interpreter list, please fill out this form. The clinic personnel will reach out to you when we have a need for your language.
How do I get involved?
If you're interested in volunteering, fill out these forms and an employee will contact you within a week for next steps.
Medical Interpreting: Many of the patients we see at the clinic speak Spanish, but we have also had Russian-, Portuguese-, Haitian Creole-, and Mandarin-speaking patients. We would love to have you use your language so be sure to specify what language you speak on the application form!
Volunteer Commitment:
We have volunteers from a broad range of majors and class standings, but volunteers with experience with exercise, or those interested in the physical therapy, occupational therapy, or medical fields are preferred.
Volunteers commit to a consistent weekly schedule of at least 1 hour per week. Hours are based on volunteer availability and preference, but it is recommended to plan your volunteering time for at least a 2 hour block to maximize your experience and the amount of help you can be to the clinic. Especially for Spanish interpretation, consistency is essential so the clinic can plan for how many interpreters will be needed.
Training:
Training will be completed through the CRC once you begin volunteering.
I hoped to do something medical but didn't know exactly what to major in or the field I wanted to pursue. While exploring my options, I stumbled upon the opportunity to become a volunteer at the CRC. I began working with some patients with MS and after helping a wheelchair-bound patient walk across the room, I found what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Working with patients, helping them heal, and serving those in need is so rewarding. I wanted to continue these experiences through a career in physical therapy, so I confirmed my major and began taking classes to prepare myself for Physical Therapy school.
I started volunteering at the CRC originally out of curiosity but have kept coming back for the experiences I've had, people I've met, and sense of fulfillment I get from serving my community. I started volunteering to help with Spanish Interpretation but have since become a regular volunteer for the MS clinic. Being able to work with these patients has broadened my horizons and given me invaluable experience. Working with the staff has helped me learn about physical therapy and make important decisions about my future. Everyone who comes in feels welcome and quickly becomes part of the family, and that's why I love the CRC!
I’m a current student and I had been looking for places to volunteer and get PT experience when I found out about the CRC. I plan on going to physical therapy school, and this has been a great opportunity to learn more about the career and how to treat patients. I love how engaging all of the physical therapists are with the volunteers and their help to teach us as much as possible with each patient that comes in.
Volunteering at the CRC has been an incredible experience! Since starting several months ago I have had the opportunity to meet some truly excellent people, both staff and patients. I think the most impactful event of my time here has been watching patients leave with a better understanding of their condition and decreased pain. Time and time again I have heard patients tell our PTAs how grateful they are for restoring their standard of living and mobility. I've found many examples I want to emulate in my own professional career.