Most people have heard of medical students completing residency programs, but what does a physical therapy residency program entail?
The American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) defines a physical therapy residency as, “a post-professional program that one can participate in after graduation…with a focus on advancing knowledge or skills within a specific specialty area of practice…and prepare individuals for the specialty certification exam.”
Residency Program 411
Residencies are not required for physical therapists after obtaining her or his doctorate, but help improve skills and clinical reasoning in specialty areas, such as neurology, sports, and orthopedics.
Foothills Sports Medicine has an orthopedic residency program to help residents implement evidence-informed practice and skills in the assessment and treatment of orthopedic conditions. The program runs annually, starting in September, with a one-year track. During the residency program, you are provided didactic education, skills sessions, and mentoring from expert clinicians throughout Phoenix and Tucson.
I have gone through the program and I now serve as a lead mentor at the Foothills Surprise location. My favorite aspect of the residency is the diversity that comes with mentoring. In other residency programs, a resident will have one or two mentors that they are with for the entire residency. At Foothills Sports Medicine, a resident has a primary mentor but will also receive mentorship with multiple expert clinicians throughout the program. This immerses the residents in a wide range of experiences that grow their skillset and clinical reasoning.
About the Program
Our residency program in orthopedic physical therapy provides physical therapists with an opportunity to develop advanced competencies in the specific area of practice that encompasses orthopedic physical therapy through a planned course of clinical practice, didactic learning modules, and clinical mentoring. The residency program seeks to develop the clinician’s theoretical rationale, evaluation and treatment skills, and clinical reasoning processes in order to promote the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries in an active patient population. We currently have a 100% pass rate for the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) exam.
For physical therapists and student physical therapists: completing a residency in the specialty area you are passionate about can accelerate your journey to becoming a sought-after expert clinician. Our physical therapy residency program prepares a resident to sit for the Orthopedic Specialist Examination and become an Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS), which less than 6% of physical therapists are. This distinction allows your clients to see the dedication you have to provide optimal care and towards continuing education.
For patients: find a physical therapist who you have a great rapport and who is passionate about providing you with the best care to help you achieve your goals. Your physical therapist should want to treat you with the same level of care they want for their family, friends, and themselves. Foothills Sports Medicine prides itself on choosing passionate individuals that are here for you. Feel free to make an online request for an appointment at a clinic near you.
For more information on our physical therapy residency, please visit this webpage.
