Rehabilitation Services Students

North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo hosts clinical rotations for students nearing graduation in physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology.

Clinical Areas

Acute Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Institute

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Home Health

Key Services

Housing

NMMC will not pay housing costs. The student will be responsible for all housing, including making arrangements. Tupelo Visitors and Convention Bureau offers a list of area hotels. external link You can also check the classified ads of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. external link Limited private housing is available. For more information, contact Jennifer Locke, DPT, at (662) 377-4058 or e-mail jlocke@nmhs.net.

Meals

The hospital Food Court is available with a 20% discount for employees and students. NMMC also includes Subway and Chick-Fil-A restaurants. Several “fast food” and “family” restaurants are located nearby. A refrigerator is available in the break room of each area if you prefer to bring your lunch.

Department Hours

Please contact your Center Coordinator for Clinical Education one to three weeks prior to your clinical for your start time and location.

Rehabilitation Institute
Occupational Therapy: 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. M-F*
Physical Therapy: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F*
Speech Therapy: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. M-F*
*with at least 1 weekend during your clinical

Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
Occupational, Physical & Speech Therapy:
7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. M-Th
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. F
Therapist schedules vary in each specialty area to meet the need of the patient population.

Acute Care
Some therapists work from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. four days each week, and others work 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. five days each week.

Home Health
Therapists work 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

NMMC-Tupelo Wellness Center

NMMC-Tupelo offers an outstanding Wellness Center on campus that includes a pool, weight equipment, cardiovascular equipment, walking track, aerobics room and racquetball courts. Students may obtain a temporary membership with no assessment or enrollment fee. Dues are payable in full upon joining.

In-service

Students who are here for six weeks or longer are encouraged to make a 30-45 minute presentation to the staff on a topic of your choice. It will be up to each individual clinical instructor as to whether they require an in-service.

Parking

Free parking is available in the “student parking” area across the street from the main entrance to the hospital on Garfield Street. Outpatient parking is available on the lower level (employee parking) at Longtown Medical Park.

Library

NMMC-Tupelo's Resource Center is available for your convenience.

Aquatic Therapy

Aquatic therapy is available at the NMMC-Tupelo Outpatient Rehabilitation Center. Inpatient therapists may take their patients to the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center for pool therapy, so please bring a modest swimsuit (no bikinis).

First Day Arrival

Check the work hours of your assigned area for arrival time. In the main unit, ask at the information desk in the front lobby for directions to the appropriate area. The NMMC-Tupelo Acute Rehabilitation office is located on the third floor, south wing. The Rehabilitation Institute is located on the first floor, west wing. Outpatient Rehabilitation is located at Longtown Medical Park, 4381 S. Eason Blvd. Your clinical instructor will greet you when you arrive.

Student Dress Code

  • Clothing must present a professional image, with care given to tightness, length and cleanliness of clothing. Please refrain from wearing low necklines or waistlines as this is distracting to our patients as well as other staff members. If performing an acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, or skilled nursing facility clinical, navy blue scrubs are recommended but are not required. Any color scrubs are acceptable. At the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, khaki pants or dress pants are recommended with a professional shirt which is long enough to keep your midriff covered when you lift your arms above your head.
  • Sleeveless shirts, blue jeans and shorts are not allowed, unless for approved events. Knee length shorts are approved for the Outpatient Rehabilitation Center.
  • Approved name tags must be worn at all times.
  • Open-toed shoes are not allowed.
  • Strong fragrances should be avoided.
  • Jewelry should be appropriate and professional.
  • Cell phones are not permitted in patient care areas. You may keep them at your desk.

For More Information

To arrange a clinical rotation at NMMC, email Cora Polson.

For information on a specific area, email the coordinator:

Physical Therapy:

Jennifer Locke, DPT

Occupational Therapy:

Kim Hammond, OTR/L

Speech-Language-Pathology:

Theresa Hellen, M.S.P., CCC-SLP