Orthopaedic Residency Program
Program Overview & Mission
Olympic Sports & Spine’s Orthopedic Residency is an 18-month clinical residency program that is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through the American Physical Therapy Association. The missing of the residency program is to elevate a physical therapist’s competency and enhance patient centered care within the specialty practice area of orthopaedic physical therapy. The residency is characterized by advanced clinical education, principles of evidence informed practice, and processes of clinical reasoning. The clinical and academic curriculum is designed for residents to become a certified orthopaedic manual therapist (COMT) through AspireOMT and prepare for orthopaedic board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. A new cohort begins on September 1st of each year.
Curriculum Summary
The curriculum for the orthopaedic residency is divided into two subsections - professional development and professional activities. The first 12 months is dedicated to professional development of the resident within the following orthopaedic knowledge areas: clinical reasoning, medical considerations, treatment interventions, lumbar spine, pelvic girdle, hip, knee, foot & ankle, temporomandibular joint, cervical spine, thoracic spine & rib cage, shoulder complex, elbow, wrist & hand, and pain science. Orthopaedic residents will attend six certified orthopaedic manual therapy (COMT) courses through AspireOMT and take the COMT exam. Other teaching methods utilized include American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy independent study courses, Medbridge Education online courses, and journal readings/assignments.
The last 6 months are dedicated to professional activities of orthopedic physical therapists which include clinical instruction of a DPT intern, writing a case report for journal publication, and provide a two hour presentation to the OSS organization.
Schedule Expectations
Residents are full-time employees performing job related duties as specified within their contract for 40 hours per week. 150 hours of one-to-one patient care clinical mentorship with an OCS clinician will be incorporated into the resident’s patient care schedule throughout the duration of the program. Completion of academic-related curricular activities will be performed outside of the resident’s clinical practice schedule. Residents should designate 10 hours each week for completion of those learning activities.
Tuition
The orthopedic residency tuition is $13,285. Tuition covers the expense for AspireOMT’s COMT certification program, Medbridge Education subscription, American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy independent study courses, OCS clinical mentorship, and ABPTS’s OCS exam application review & examination fees.
Olympic Sports & Spine will provide tuition assistance based on the length of the employment agreement.
The program will offer the following two agreement/payment options:
2-Year Employment Agreement
3-Year Employment Agreement
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
- Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
- Successful completion of FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
- Licensure to practice physical therapy within the state of Washington by the program start date
- Active membership to the American Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Application Process & Questions
Please contact Samantha Gubka at residency@osstherapy.com for further information regarding the orthopedic residency and its application process.
New cohorts begin on September 1 of each year.
Orthopaedic Residency Outcomes
As of July 2024
- 4 out of 10 residents successfully completed the orthopaedic residency. 4 dropped out. 2 active.
- 2 incoming orthopaedic residents for the 2023 cohort.
- 3 graduates obtained orthopaedic board certification through ABPTS; 1 did not register for the test; 2 active residents are registered to take the exam in 2024.
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