Job Description
Job Description
The Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program at Performance Optimal Health is a 12-month, post-professional program designed to advance the clinical expertise and leadership skills of Physical Therapists in the specialty area of orthopedic physical therapy. This internal program is open to licensed Performance Optimal Health clinicians and combines evidence-based didactic education, structured clinical mentoring, teaching, and community engagement to prepare residents for board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).
Program Mission :
To develop specialist orthopedic Physical Therapists by delivering an advanced, evidence-based curriculum and fostering a commitment to improving patient outcomes through clinical excellence, research integration, and community service. The program supports a culture of innovation, lifelong learning, and continuous quality improvement among residents, mentors, and faculty.
Program Objectives :
- Deliver a Comprehensive, Evidence-Based Curriculum
- Curriculum updated annually to reflect current research
- Broad exposure to orthopedic conditions and interventions
- High-quality clinical mentorship throughout the residency
- Promote Excellence in Orthopedic Clinical Practice
- Faculty maintain OCS certification and active APTA engagement
- Mentors model clinical reasoning and advanced orthopedic skills
- Prepare Residents for OCS Certification
- Emphasis on developing expert clinical reasoning
- Specialist-level patient care experiences and assessments
- Structured exam preparation and support
- Ensure Continuous Program Improvement
- Annual review of curriculum and mentoring effectiveness
- Oversight of clinical experiences to ensure diversity and quality
- Faculty and resident feedback-driven refinement
- Encourage Leadership and Service
- Active participation in community events and outreach
- Engagement in professional meetings and continuing education
Resident Goals & Responsibilities :
Achieve Specialist-Level Clinical CompetencyExcel in didactic learning and hands-on clinical skillsDeliver high-quality patient careApply for and prepare to take the OCS examServe as a Clinical Educator and Peer MentorAct as Clinical Instructor for DPT studentsLead journal clubs and discussionsDevelop an online educational course on the LearnWorlds platformDemonstrate Mastery of APTA’s Core CompetenciesClinical reasoning, communication, patient education, and systems-based practiceEffective and individualized patient managementEngage in Professional Development and AdvocacyMaintain APTA and Orthopedic Section membershipAttend APTA’s Combined Sections MeetingSupport growth of the orthopedic physical therapy professionCommit to Lifelong Learning and ScholarshipComplete a capstone clinical case projectPresent findings internally and submit for external conference considerationRequirements
Licensed Physical Therapist employed by Performance Optimal HealthGraduate of an accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programDemonstrated commitment to orthopedic specialization and clinical growthStrong communication, critical thinking, and leadership potentialApplication Process :
Graduate from a CAPTE-accredited Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) ProgramPossession of current license to practice physical therapy in the state of Connecticut and / or FloridaNo history of professional license suspension, probation, revocation, or ongoing investigationCPR certifiedActive membership in the APTA(national, state, and orthopedic section)Active membership in the AOPTTwo reference letters upon requestNote : Tuition is required. Detailed tuition information and payment options will be provided during the application process
Benefits
Mentorship by board-certified clinical specialists (OCS)Structured learning aligned with ABPTS standardsContinued employment and benefits with Performance Optimal HealthOpportunities for teaching, research, and community outreachSupport for professional growth and board exam preparation