X. Overview of Rotation Schedules at UHS

Since all interns will do rotations in UHS, we have provided the UHS schedule here. Schedules for other environments vary term to term and will be given at the appropriate time.

UHS rotations are (7) weeks long, unless your scheduled shift falls on a day when NW is officially closed. Those shifts do not have to be made up, though you must complete at least 6 shifts to pass each rotation.

Rotation One

The first day consists of orientation and giving a 1-hour massage.
The second day consists of giving two 1-hour massages with 30 minutes in between.
Weeks 3, 5, 6, & 7 consists of giving three 1-hour massages with 30 minutes in between. However, during one of these weeks, you will have a one-on-one tutorial with your supervisor in place of a 3rd client.
Week 4 consists of giving two 90-minute massages with 30 minutes in between.
You are allowed to use all the cheat sheets and scripts that you received in Pre Clinic Workshop.

Rotation two

Weeks 1 & 2 will consist of giving three 60-minute massages with 30 minutes in between.
weeks 3 & 4 will consist of giving two 90-minute massages with 30 minutes in between.
On weeks 5, 6, & 7, the schedule ramps up a bit:
- Week 5 will consist of giving two 90-minute massages and one 30-minute massage with 15 minutes between clients.
- Weeks 6 & 7 will consist of giving three 60-minute massages 15 minutes between clients.

We ramp up the schedule so you can get a taste of the “real” world of massage therapy, where you rarely get more than 10-15 minutes between clients. Most interns handle this change very well, as they have already created a flow in their clinic day and this is but a minor change.

NOTE: During Rotations 2, 3, & 4, you will not be allowed to use any of the cheat sheets or scripts that you received in Pre Clinic Workshop. You may create your own little “memory jogs”, and you certainly may have paper in front of you to take notes; but it is time to make the intake more natural. A good intake is simply a conversation, so the sooner you can move away from cheat sheets & scripts, the quicker you will become proficient at the intake process.

Rotations Three & Four

The schedules for rotations 3 & 4 in UHS ramp up even more, as you near graduation and prepare to enter the work world, where you may be asked to give 4 or 5 massages in a row.

Rotation Three

Weeks 1 & 2 consist of giving three 60-minute massages and one 30-minute massage with 15 minutes in between.
Weeks 3, 4, & 5 consist of giving two 90-minute massages and one 30-minute massage with 15 minutes in between.
Weeks 6 & 7 consist of giving three 60-minute massages and one 30-minute massage with 15 minutes in between.

Rotation Four

Weeks 1 & 2 consist of giving four 60-minute massages with 15 minutes in between.
Weeks 3, 4, & 5 consist of giving two 90-minute massages and one 30-minute massage with 15 minutes in between.
Weeks 6 & 7 consist of giving four 60-minute massages with 15 minutes in between.

A note about rotation 4:

The schedule for rotation 4 is clearly more demanding than the other 3 rotations, with four clients in a day and 15 minutes in between clients. This may be no big deal to you; or, you may wonder how you will manage, or if you can even do it. If so, remember the following:

It is a challenging shift, to be sure. Please keep in mind that many students before you have done it; they became stronger and more confident for the experience, as they showed themselves that they have strength & stamina that they didn't think they had. And, remember that your supervisor is there to help you. You can do it!

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If you have questions about anything in this manual, please consult with your clinic supervisor, or email MTClinEd@nwhealth.edu.

Enjoy your time in clinic!