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URMC / Orthopaedics & Physical Performance / Education & Training Programs / Sports Physical Therapy Residency

Sports Physical Therapy Residency

UR Medicine's Sports and Spine Rehabilitation is an outpatient sports medicine clinic that is in the Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The University of Rochester Medical Center was founded in 1921 by Abraham Flexner, Rush Rhees, and George Eastman with the affirmation that the Medical Center would practice "Medicine of the Highest Order." A few years later in 1925, the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry opened with the support of Rush Rhees to make the school "unquestionably of the first class." Although the Medical Center and School of Medicine and Dentistry were founded many years ago, the original principles have endured and continue to influence the individuals who work at the University today.

UR Medicine's Sports and Spine Rehabilitation was founded in 1990, by Dr. Kenneth DeHaven. Dr. DeHaven recognized that athletes required specialized rehabilitation and a team of sports medicine professionals to achieve optimal results. The sports medicine team, as defined by Dr. DeHaven, consisted of physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers working together to provide injury prevention, on-field injury recognition rehabilitation, and performance enhancement for the benefit of the athletic population. With Dr. DeHaven's guidance and the influence of the founding principles of the Medical Center, the Mission of USM was developed. The Mission of USM is to be a premier facility for patient care, education, and research related to injuries and conditions that affect the ability of individuals to successfully participate in sports, performing art, and/or an active lifestyle.

Overview of the Sports Residency Program

The Sports Residency Program is designed to provide residents with a year-long intensive study of sports physical therapy, preparing them to sit for the Sports Clinical Specialist Exam offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. The resident is expected to work 45 — 50 hours/week. Approximately 70% of the time is spent providing patient care to a sports medicine population and 30% of the time is reserved for educational experiences. Residents receive didactic training on numerous topics related to sports physical therapy which are in accordance with the current Description of Specialty Practice for Sports Physical Therapy. The content is taught and/or directed by the expert faculty at UR Medicine's Sports Medicine. The curriculum includes didactic lectures, directed self study projects, journal clubs, Orthopaedic Rounds, athletic event coverage and mentorship.

Mission of the Sports Residency Program

Develop Board Certified Clinical Specialists in Sports Physical Therapy who excel as members of the sports medicine team, demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning, and effective teaching strategies for the active sports medicine population in their communities.

The goals of the Sports Residency Program are to educate physical therapists to:

  • Meet the needs of the athletic population by becoming advanced practitioners of sports physical therapy.
  • Utilize critical inquiry and evidence based practice to incorporate appropriate advanced techniques and knowledge into practice.
  • Become competent instructors of sports physical therapy practice.
  • Utilize clinical and practical reasoning skills to effectively manage the care of an athletic population.
  • Demonstrate the highest standards of professionalism and ethical practice.
  • Employ foundational and clinical sciences in the development of plans of care.

UR Medicine Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program Outcomes

Graduation Rate: 94%
ABPTS Specialty Exam Pass Rate: 100%

Sports Residency Program Information

Credentialing: The residency program is credentialed by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

Credential Conferred: Certificate of Completion of a Credentialed Post-professional Residency in Sports Physical Therapy.

Program Dates:
Length of Study: 12 Months
Start Date: January 1st
End Date: December 31st

Location:
UR Medicine's Sports and Spine Rehabilitation
Department of Orthopaedics & Physical Performance
University of Rochester Medical Center
Rochester, New York

Salary: Residents will receive a salary reflective of their time spent performing independent patient care. Residents do not maintain a full case load secondary to time being allocated for didactic coursework, presentation, projects and athletic event coverage. Download the Financial Fact Sheet.

Benefits: Residents are eligible for benefits through the University of Rochester Medical Center. This includes employer supported health and dental insurance, long-term disability, pension plan, life insurance and paid time off. This benefit list is not all-inclusive, and applicants are directed to the human resources department at URMC for a complete description of benefits.

Requirements

The applicant must be a graduate of a CAPTE (Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) accredited physical therapy program and hold a current license to practice physical therapy in the state of New York.

The applicant must possess one of the following: a current ATC designation, a current license as an EMT, or certification as an Emergency Responder.

A complete application must be received by the program coordinator.

Acceptance will be based on interest, ability and aptitude for a career as a physical therapist in a sports medicine setting.

The strongest applicants may possess the following:

  • Completed an extended internship or externship under the direct supervision of a Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
  • Superior verbal and written communication skills
  • Have experience with data collection, analysis and publication
  • Strong understanding of the principles of clinical reasoning
  • Strong understanding of the examination and treatment procedures related to the practice of sports physical therapy
  • Exhibit high standards of professional behavior

Residents will be selected by the Admissions Committee and their decision will be final. The superior candidates will be given an interview, which is conducted by members of the admissions committee. Candidates will be assessed in the areas of commitment, knowledge of the purpose of the program, interests and personality. Good candidates will possess the qualities of flexibility, team building, leadership, professionalism and desire to learn.

Disability Requirements

A candidate requesting disability accommodations must request the required accommodation(s) in writing to the program director.

Application Process

Application Deadline: Rolling admission

In applying for admission, the following materials must be submitted:

  • Letter of interest
  • Application with essays
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Current resume with a summary of career goals, employment history, and extracurricular activities

Please submit all application materials to Alex Karman at the address listed below.

UR Medicine's Sports and Spine Rehabilitation, and the University of Rochester reserves the right not to process any application that is incomplete.

Acceptance into the sports residency program is provisional pending the candidate meeting all the conditions of employment of the University of Rochester.

Alex Karman PT, DPT, SCS
Sports Physical Therapy Residency Director
UR Medicine Orthopaedics & Physical Performance
University of Rochester Medical Center
4901 Lac DeVille Boulevard, Suite 110, Building D
Rochester, New York 14618
Email: Alex_Karman@urmc.Rochester.edu