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The mission of the Spectrum Health Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program is to provide physical therapists with advanced orthopedic knowledge and skills by utilizing scientific inquiry and evidence-based practice enabling them to improve the health of their communities and become leaders in the profession for clinical practice, research, and education.
The Spectrum Health Orthopedic Residency Program is designed to provide licensed physical therapists with advanced training in orthopedics. The program participant will train with senior clinical staff emphasizing the development of skills in clinical decision making, treatment strategies, and scholarly review of the latest evidence throughout the scope of outpatient rehabilitation. Participants will work closely with experienced faculty who serve as mentors and will rotate through four clinical sites allowing the participant specialized orthopedic training in a variety of settings, patient demographics, and age ranges. The program utilizes a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum coupled with dedicated time spent with a mentor to foster the development of strong clinical practice management skills. Additionally, the participant will observe medical staff in clinical and surgical settings, assist with the instruction of physical therapy topics in an academic setting in partnership with the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Grand Valley State University. The participant will maintain a part-time clinical schedule throughout the program.
The program curriculum is designed to prepare the participant to sit for the ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Examination and is approximately 53 weeks in duration beginning in September of each year.
The program has been granted Developing Status and is preparing to apply for candidacy from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.
Upon graduation, the program will track participant performance on the ABPTS Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Examination and employment roles for a period of up to 5 years.
The curriculum will be based on the most recent Description of Residency Practice from the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education. Didactic Education will include sections on:
All applications are processed through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) and must include:
Applicants will be evaluated on the following:
For those with questions about our orthopedic physical therapy residency program, please email the Program Coordinator.
Learn more about how to apply and what you need to include in your application.