Physical Therapist Specialist Program

To provide physical therapy management of patients referred by a medical practitioner as part of a post-graduate physical therapy training program. The Physical Therapy Resident will function under the supervision of the local rehabilitation services leader. Patient management will be specific to the age and diagnosis of the patient.

• Evaluates patients by: Obtaining pertinent past history. Obtaining detailed account of presenting complaints. Interprets evaluation findings to determine the nature and extent of dysfunction. Identifies precautions/contraindications to physical therapy treatment.


• For those patients not appropriate to physical therapy management, communicates evaluation findings and/or makes recommendations to primary medical practitioner regarding patient disposition.


• For those patients appropriate to physical therapy management, identifies problems through integration of evaluation findings.


• Establishes treatment goals. Plans treatment to achieve established goals. Initiates discharge planning for physical therapy. Implements the treatment program through: Direct treatment of the patient.


• Delegation of a portion of the treatment program to appropriate supportive personnel. Supervision of the treatment program. Coordination of the treatment program with other health care personnel.


• Provides advice and education to patient and family regarding: Participation in the treatment program. Extension of the treatment program into the home situation. Prevention of future recurrence of problems.


• Regularly reassesses clinical signs and symptoms to determine: Effectiveness of treatment. Progress of patient toward goals. The need for modifying goals and treatment/intervention. Discharges patient from physical therapy when the patient has reached established goals.


• Provides accurate, timely documentation of physical therapy patient management.


• Demonstrates competency in age specifics related to assessing, treating and/or caring for varying patient populations.


• Provide other work and related duties as required, including attendance at all training labs, and successful completion of hybrid didactic curriculum, consistent with the Residency Offer Letter, Academic Standing Policy, and other residency policies as the relate as provided by the Residency program director for the program in which they were accepted.