Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency

Mission

The Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program supports the Mission of Saint Francis University by providing quality education, clinical, and research opportunities. The University environment, the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness, and the Faculty-Student Practice foster the gathering of knowledge to allow for application of evidence-based skills through various learning activities and experiences. Achievement of the goals listed below allows the resident to become a leader in the community and provide advanced knowledge, skills, and professional behavior that will shape the future of physical therapy.

Residency Description

The Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program at the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness at Saint Francis University is credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in orthopaedic physical therapy. This program allows a licensed physical therapist to gain additional knowledge in the orthopaedic physical therapy specialty area and prepares the resident to become a board certified orthopaedic physical therapist. The program is one of only four credentialed programs in the state of Pennsylvania and is offered through a partnership with Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy, Inc. of Ebensburg, PA.

The DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness at Saint Francis University Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program is designed to advance the knowledge and skills of the resident in five (5) main areas:

• Critical Inquiry/Evidence Based Practice
• Educational/Consultation
• Advanced Clinical Skills
• Foundational and Clinical Sciences
• Health Promotion, Fitness and Wellness

This program is designed to prepare the resident to take the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) examination in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.

Curriculum

The program is 12 months in length beginning each year in September. A typical week in the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program includes 2-4 hours of mentored practice, 30-35 hours of non-mentored practice, up to 10 hours of lab instruction and educational experiences, and 6 hours of other didactic work including self-study.

Residents gain the advanced skills and knowledge in a variety of structured learning experiences. Approximate hours of the experiences are:

Program Goals

• To provide an opportunity to develop advanced clinical skills for evaluating and treating patients/clients with orthopaedic injuries.
• To provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge necessary to successfully complete the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Examination in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.
• To provide an opportunity to observe other health professionals to effectively manage orthopaedic injuries.
• To participate in a multi-disciplined team approach to effectively manage orthopaedic injuries.
• To provide an opportunity to participate in research related to the field of physical therapy.

Program Affiliations

The residency is offered as a partnership between the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness at Saint Francis University and Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy, Inc. The resident will be an employee of Allegheny Chesapeake Physical Therapy and will complete all non-mentored clinical practice hours at said facility as well as some mentored practice. Additional mentored clinical practice, as well as all instructional and educational experiences, will take place at the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness or via video teleconferencing/web-based interactive experiences.

Additional affiliation agreements with clinical sites for the residency program will be considered on an individual basis.

Admission Requirements

Preferred applicants are physical therapists who are interested in a career in orthopaedic physical therapy. Previous clinical experience and skills in orthopaedic physical therapy as well as research experience are preferred. New graduates are also welcome to apply.

Applicants must also possess:

• Current (or eligible) license to practice physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• Malpractice insurance

Application Process

Applications are due by February 15 for the following September program. Print application (pdf). The completed application, $50 application fee (non-refundable), a resume, and two (2) professional letters of recommendation should be mailed to:

Mark A. Boland, PT, MPT, OCS
Director, Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program
DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness
Saint Francis University
108 Franciscan Way
Loretto, PA 15940

Application Deadline: February 15
Residency Dates: September 1 to August 31 (12 months)
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program Application (PDF)
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency Program Brochure (PDF)

Questions or Inquiries

Prospective applicants or clinics interested in developing an affiliation agreement with the residency program may direct questions to Mark Boland at (814) 471-1112 or mboland@francis.edu.

Testimonials

"As a new graduate entering the work force, I found the orthopedic residency a huge benefit. The residency provided mentorship in the clinic that I would not have had otherwise. The didactic portion of the residency helped to narrow down all of the information learned in college and highlight the best techniques/treatments to use based on evidence. This helped me to provide more efficient and effective intitial examinations and treatments. Overall, the residency was very beneficial in helping me to become more successful as a physical therapist in my first year as a clinician."
~ Kimberly Pasierb, DPT, PT