Physical Therapy in Orthopedics & Neurology Residency
Casa Colina’s Physical Therapy Residency Programs in Orthopedics
and Neurology provide advanced knowledge and skill in a focused clinical
environment. Credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA), coursework is designed to accelerate a therapist’s professional
development while allowing them to achieve clinical excellence in all
aspects of patient care. Upon completion of the program, the clinician
will apply for the certified specialty examination offered by the APTA.
Casa Colina’s Physical Therapy Residency Programs are committed to
helping residents meet the highest standards for graduation and exam success. (View current results.)
Both residency programs offer:
Mentored 1:1 clinical practice
Structured learning opportunities
Didactic coursework
Participation in physician specialty clinics
Preparation and training for APTA specialty certifications
Paid compensation for all hours of clinical practice as well as time being mentored
Orthopedics Residency Program
Mission: The program provides advanced mentorship and education of orthopedic physical
therapists that will result in enhanced patient outcomes, as well as advancement
of the profession through contribution to scientific literature.
The 52-week, APTA-credentialed program enrolls 1 to 2 residents every January.
The application process includes an observation of the applicant performing
an initial evaluation and treatment on a patient.
Mission: The program provides advanced mentorship and education of neurologic physical
therapists that will result in enhanced patient outcomes, as well as advancement
of the profession through contribution to the scientific literature.
The 50-week, APTA-credentialed program enrolls 1 to 2 residents every July
(didactic education begins in June.) The application process includes
an observation of the applicant performing an initial evaluation and treatment
on a patient.
Applications are due February 1. Tuition is $2,700.
Tuition covers the cost of the Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional
Education Consortium.
Curriculum:
1,650 hours of clinical practice (32 hours per week)
150 hours of one-to-one mentoring (3 hours per week)
16-week rotation in inpatient rehabilitation
16-week rotation in Transitional Living Center
16-week rotation in outpatient neurology
Optional 1-week rotation in acute care and/or pediatrics
500 hours of resident-directed learning activities, including didactic/lab
education through the Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education
Consortium
Resident-directed learning opportunities may include activities in research,
clinical, education or professional development. Examples include teaching
in local DPT programs, observing in physician clinics, participating in
research on campus or at local universities, leading community exercise
classes and observation in wheelchair clinic. These activities are not
limited to what is listed here, and are individualized with each resident.
Didactic education is provided through the Neurologic Physical Therapy
Professional Education Consortium (www.neuroconsortium.org). Two 4-day courses are required (August and November) in addition to
weekly webinars and journal club participation.
Casa Colina residency faculty are seasoned clinicians with a passion for
evidence-based, specialty practice. Many of our faculty members possess
advanced certifications, including board-certified Orthopedic Clinical
Specialists, Neurologic Clinical Specialists (NCS), Assistive Technology
Professionals (ATP), and Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). All
our faculty mentors are committed to providing supportive mentorship to
foster professional development, critical thinking, and clinical expertise.
Application Information
Applications are available through the American Board of Physical Therapy
Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) at
www.abptrfe.org.
Orthopedics residency applications are due August 1.
Neurology residency applications are due February 1.
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Maintain a valid California Physical Therapy License
Maintain a current CPR/AED certification
Completed at least 6 months of clinical practice in an orthopedic or neurologic
setting in the last year or one clinical affiliation as a student in Orthopedics
or Neurology (if a recent graduate). If the applicant is newly graduated,
a letter of recommendation from a clinical instructor is requested
Comply with all Casa Colina employment requirements
