Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency

 

Atrium Health and Carolinas Rehabilitation offer an orthopaedic physical therapy clinical residency program designed to train physical therapists in advanced orthopaedic physical therapy care in an outpatient setting.

The Carolinas Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency program was the first orthopaedic physical therapy clinical residency program accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) within the state of North Carolina.

Starting in 2025, our program will add a new geographical location through Atrium Health Floyd in Rome, GA.

Program Description

Carolinas Rehabilitation's orthopedic physical therapy residency is a full-time, one year program. Residents are employed by Atrium Health and receive a program-adjusted salary that includes a full benefits package. Residents provide patient care 36 hours per week, including four hours per week co-treating with a faculty mentor. Weekly lecture and lab sessions as well as directed learning activities will occupy the resident's remaining time.

The curriculum of this residency program provides advanced training in examination, clinical decision-making, medical management and manual therapy-based orthopedic treatment skills. The curriculum combines didactic learning, mentorship experience and individual study and project completion.

Completion of this program will prepare you for:

• Advanced orthopaedic physical therapy practice
• Orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship
• APTA's OCS examination
• Efficient patient management
• Evidence-based practice

Admission Requirements

• Graduated from a CAPTE-accredited PT program
• New graduates with a demonstrated interest in orthopaedic physical therapy are eligible to apply. Post-entry level clinical experience in outpatient physical therapy is desirable.
• NC license (must provide proof of licensure as requirement of employment)
• Active member of the APTA and Orthopedic section
• Must meet all eligibility requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist within Atrium Health
• CPR certification
• Must demonstrate a commitment to learning

Application Portal

• In an effort to simplify the application process for prospective physical therapist (PT) residents as well as to facilitate the admissions process, Carolinas Rehabilitation is participating in the APTA's Residency/Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Services (RF-PTCAS). RF-PTCAS allows PT residency applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT residency/fellowship programs
• Information and instructions on the application process can be found at: Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) Applicant Login Page
• Completed applications must be submitted between January 1 and August 31 with notification of acceptance by mid-September.  Approved applicants will be required to visit an Atrium Health location for an on-site interview prior to final selection.

Video Interviews

In an effort to assist those applicants with travel or work restrictions, the option of an initial video interview will be made available. All qualified and competitive applicants will be expected to complete either an on-site or a video interview. Interviews will be scheduled by the Residency Director on a case-by-case basis. All interviews shall be conducted by early September.  Candidates participating in a video interview must have access to a computer with a webcam and internet access during the scheduled interview time. Details of the video interview, including instructions on how to access the system, will be sent to the applicant once the interview has been scheduled.

Read our curriculum overview and FAQs to learn more about our program.

For more information or to submit your application, email Gary Of, program director.

Additional Information

Residency and Fellowship Financial Fact Sheet