The HSS Rehabilitation National Network Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is an unaccredited post-professional residency program exclusively for members of the HSS Rehabilitation National Network who wish to specialize in orthopedics. It is a one-year-full-time, clinically-based training program designed to accelerate the professional development of selected physical therapists. HSS Rehabilitation provides participants with comprehensive educational curriculum that challenges clinical reasoning and promotes self-reflection within the areas outlined in the Orthopedic Description of Specialty Practice. Physical therapists with advanced clinical skills from the HSS Rehabilitation National Network sites serve as mentors to guide residents in the development of advanced clinical expertise and current knowledge in the specialty of orthopedic physical therapy. The program is also designed to prepare residents to sit for the ABPTS Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS) examination.
HSS provides:
Rehab Network Site provides:
The mission of the HSS Rehabilitation National Network Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is to provide a collaborative and comprehensive program that prepares physical therapists for board certification in the specialty of orthopedic physical therapy with a focus on clinical reasoning and self-reflection, as well as to enhance their professional development in becoming highly skilled patient care providers, clinical leaders and educators in the community they serve.
The HSS Rehabilitation National Network Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency is full-time and one year in duration. Residents are expected to manage a full caseload in addition to residency-related responsibilities. A tuition fee is required for participation in the program. Weekly templates, salary and work hours are at the discretion of the HSS Rehabilitation National Network clinical site with the following requirements:
Clinical Site:
Resident:
Mentor:
Commitment to mentor training provided by HSS and at least 1 of the following:
Prospective clinical sites submit an application (leadership, resident, mentor). The application packet will need to include:
Prospective Clinical Site: completed by site leadership (director/manager):
Prospective Resident:
Prospective Mentor:
Email application and supporting materials to:
William Behrns, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS
HSS Rehabilitation and Performance Director of Residencies and Fellowships
All applicants are screened prior to interview selection and admission into the residency program. The network residency director and residency advisory committee select the top clinical sites/residents each year based on the criteria described above. In accordance with hospital policy, all residency-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.
The curriculum of the HSS Rehabilitation National Network Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency provides residents with a comprehensive, structured program of clinical and didactic experiences for the development of advanced critical reasoning and clinical skills in orthopedic physical therapy based on the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties’ “Description of Specialty Practice for Orthopaedic Physical Therapy”. Residents will provide supervised patient care at HSS Rehabilitation National Network rehabilitation locations as well as participate in educational experiences. Instructional methods include one-to-one mentoring by physical therapists with advanced expertise, online curriculum, a lectures/labs series given by program and guest faculty, discussion boards with HSS faculty and involvement in journal club and case presentation activities. The curriculum comprises of modules on the lumbar spine/pelvis, cervical and thoracic spine, upper extremity and lower extremity, and special topics such as pain science, ergonomics, research, pharmacology, radiology, pediatric/adolescent orthopedics and craniomandibular disorders. In addition, residents complete an independent study of the didactic residency curriculum of the APTA Orthopaedic Section, including 6 written examinations. Residents integrate and share their expanding skills and knowledge through presentation of critically appraised journal articles and case presentations.
William Behrns, PT, DPT, OCS, GCS
HSS Rehabilitation and Performance Director of Residencies and Fellowships
behrnsw@hss.edu