HSS Sports Physical Therapy Residency

ABPTRFE Accredited program logo

The HSS Sports Physical Therapy Residency is a clinically-based training program for physical therapists seeking to specialize in sports physical therapy. Accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education, the program's mission is to prepare physical therapists for independent advanced clinical practice in the field of sports physical therapy and foster their development into becoming a valuable resource of their local sporting community.

Time Commitment and Salary

The HSS Sports Physical Therapy Residency is a full-time position, one year in duration.
The resident is expected to work 40-45 hours/week. Approximately 30% of their time is spent in educational experiences and 70% providing supervised care. A salary and benefits package is provided, including 10 vacation days.

Download the ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet

Important Dates

The Residency runs from January - January of each year
The application deadline is September 15th for the following year's residence

Apply through the RF-PTCAS

Minimum Requirements

US citizenship
Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program
Malpractice insurance (minimum $1 mil per occurrence/$3 mil aggregate)
One of the following: a current ATC designation, current license as an EMT, or certification as an Emergency Responder

Recommended

One year of sports physical therapy experience (35 hour work week) OR one year of experience as a certified athletic trainer (ATC) in a full-time setting. New graduates will be considered.

Applicants can apply in one of two ways:

Complete the application through the RF-PTCAS
- OR -
Mail in your application with the below contents:

Your application packet will need to include:

A completed and signed application form: HSS Sports Physical Therapy Residency Application Form (pdf)
Your resume/curriculum vitae, including academic and clinical education, continuing education, clinical and other relevant experience
A brief summary (400-800 words) of your relevant clinical experiences thus far, with an emphasis on sports rehabilitation and sports medicine exposures'.
A short essay (one page) explaining your reasons for applying for the clinical residency, your goals and why you consider yourself to be a good candidate.
Three letters of professional reference
Academic transcripts for postsecondary academic work
$50 non-refundable application fee made payable to Hospital for Special Surgery

Application and supporting materials should be submitted to:

Michelle Cilenti, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Sports Physical Therapy Residency Director
HSS Westchester
1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY, 10605
914.821.9300

Applications are evaluated by the Sports Residency Director and faculty based on:

Admission criteria listed above
Academic and clinical education, continuing education, and other relevant experience
Clinical experience in sports medicine/rehabilitation
Verbal and written communication skills
Demonstration of leadership, professionalism, and commitment

All applicants are screened prior to interview selection and admission into the residency program. The Sports Residency Director and faculty select the top candidates each year based on the criteria described above. In accordance with hospital policy, all employment-related decisions, including program recruitment, admission, retention, and dismissal, are made without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, national origin, marital status, age (18 or older), disability, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.

Curriculum

The educational component of the Sports Physical Therapy Residency includes a comprehensive series of weekly lectures, labs, case reviews, on-field/court coverage of athletic events, participation in Sports Section journal club and in-service programming, Sports Medicine Institute fellows and CORE conferences, surgical and physician office observation, participation in professional education conferences and research project involvement.

In addition, the resident will observe, co-treat and receive one-on-one mentoring sessions from an experienced staff of sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists.

Accreditation

Residency inception: January 2008
Accredited by ABPTRFE since December 31, 2009
25 graduates
96% graduation rate
100% SCS exam pass rate

Program Goals

Provide the resident with a comprehensive, structured program of clinical and didactic experiences for the development of advanced critical reasoning and clinical skills in sports injury management and rehabilitation utilizing the Description of Specialty Practice (DACP) for Sports Physical Therapy.
Develop productive physical therapy members of a multi-disciplined sports medicine team.
Prepare the resident to make contributions as an educator to professional colleagues, coaches, athletes and the sporting community at large.
Develop residents who exhibit the highest standards of character, integrity & professionalism.
Grow program into Multi-Site by adding a Sports Resident at the HSS-Westchester location.
In 3 years following graduation, graduates demonstrate continued growth in the profession.
The program is sustainable.

Program Outcomes

Provide excellent, evidence guided patient care: demonstrate specialist level clinical reasoning and knowledge. Consistently acquire, interpret, integrate, and share best evidence.
Demonstrate advanced skills as an educator utilizing appropriate educational strategies that are congruent with the setting and needs of the learner. To effectively deliver content to increase knowledge and skills of caregivers, students, colleagues, and other interdisciplinary care providers.
Demonstrate the ability to draw from and integrate multiple resources to apply best evidence and knowledge in the care of patients with sports related diagnoses.
Demonstrate expertise in the psychomotor skills used in the practice of sports physical therapy.
Demonstrate professional behavior and values, and communicate effectively with colleagues and other health care professionals.
Be prepared to sit for and pass the ABPTS exam for board certification in sports physical therapy.

Contact Information

For further information, please contact Michelle Cilenti, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, Sports Physical Therapy Residency Director at 914.821.9300 or cilentim@hss.edu.