Casa Colina’s Occupational Therapy Physical Rehabilitation Fellowship
Program provides advanced knowledge and skill in a focused clinical environment.
The coursework offers training in clinical examination, decision-making,
and treatment skills. It is designed to accelerate a therapist’s
professional development while allowing them to achieve clinical excellence
in all aspects of patient care.
The Casa Colina Occupational Therapy Physical Rehabilitation Fellowship
is an Approved Site by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
The program offers a full year of advanced clinical and research practice
with extensive mentorship, education, and reflection.
The mission of the program is to provide clinical training that accelerates
the occupational therapist's professional development in becoming a resource,
educator, mentor, consumer, and contributor to the scientific literature
and profession, as well as being a specialist to the community they serve.
Casa Colina's' Occupational Therapy Physical Rehabilitation Fellowship
Program achieved full 10-year accreditation status from AOTA in March 2018.
The program offers:
Mentored 1:1 clinical practice
Structured learning opportunities, including research
Didactic coursework
Participation in physician specialty clinics
Preparation and training for AOTA advanced practice and board certification
Paid compensation for all hours of clinical practice as well as time being mentored
This 52-week program enrolls 3 fellows every July. The application and
selection process includes an observation of the applicant performing
an initial evaluation and treatment on a patient. (Program FAQs.)
Curriculum
The foundation of the program is over 340 hours of one-on-one mentoring
with expert clinicians, interdisciplinary education, teaching, leadership,
and ongoing professional development, including:
18-week rotation in inpatient rehabilitation
17-week rotation in the transitional living center
17-week rotation in outpatient neurology
This occurs concurrently with clinical practice as a treating therapist,
as the fellow moves through several clinical rotations for 1,600 hours
of clinical practice across the continuum of care (32 hours per week).
Fellows also receive didactic face-to-face education provided from our
expert faculty on clinically relevant occupational therapy topics, including:
Biweekly education sessions lead by clinical experts on relevant
occupational therapy clinical topics
Monthly patient handling sessions with mentors
Participation in learning opportunities in conjunction with physical therapy
residents including: Grand Rounds, Journal Club, Motor Control Case Studies,
Gait Rounds
Fellows also get active participation in clinical research within the
Casa Colina Research Institute, helping them gain specialized knowledge in research skills.
Program graduates are eligible to sit for the AOTA Board-Certified Physical
Rehabilitation Exam.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Must obtain a California occupational therapy license by July of the year
they are seeking admission into the fellowship
Must meet all eligibility requirements to be hired as a practicing occupational
therapist at Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare. (OT Fellows
will be hired as employees of Casa Colina with full benefits, including
health insurance and paid time off.)
Must maintain a current CPR/AED/ First Aid certification
“New graduate” OTs are eligible to apply
Being a member of AOTA is recommended, but not necessary
The following items
are required to apply for the program:
1. Curriculum Vitae/Resume
2. Complete the 3 questions provided
3. Two letters of recommendation: If a recent graduate, one should be from
a fieldwork coordinator and one from an individual of your choice. We
suggest that the letters of recommendation be from individuals who are
able to comment on your clinical practice and research capabilities or
potential.
Applications are due April 1.
Your application and supporting documentation must be received by April
1 of the year you are applying for the fellowship.
Applications should be sent to:
OTresidency@casacolina.org or Debra Ouellette, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, SCLV, FNAP
Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare
255 E. Bonita Ave.
Pomona, CA 91767
Our team of occupational therapy mentors will review each application carefully.
Applicants will be notified if selected for an interview by April 30.
Those considered for the acceptance will be invited to Casa Colina for
an in-person interview that will take place in May.
Candidates will receive an acceptance notification by the end of May.
Contact
Program Director: Debra S. Ouellette, MS, OTR/L, BCPR, SCLV.
