The mission of the Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship program is to identify advanced competency in manual therapy learning and practice.
The Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences provides a focused curriculum with advanced clinical and didactic instruction that is intensive and extensive. The Fellowship identifies advanced competency in manual therapy learning and practice as the primary achievement.
Upon completion of the fellowship, the participant can apply to become a Fellow (FAAOMPT) of AAOMPT. The USA program was approved by the APTA as a credentialed fellowship in orthopaedic manual therapy in 2003, and re-credentialed in 2008.
What is a Fellowship?
From the APTA website: "Fellowship: A post-professional, funded, and planned learning experience in a focused area of physical therapist clinical practice, education, or research (not infrequently post-doctoral, post-residency prepared, or board-certified physical therapists)."
Period of Fellowship
The University of St. Augustine offers full time and part time fellowships at our St. Augustine and San Marcos campuses, as well as, off campus sites. The fellowship period is a minimum of 12 months and maximum of 36 months.
Who May Apply?
Any physical therapist may apply who has completed the E1 and S1 seminars, and has two years of orthopaedic experience or has completed a credentialed orthopaedic residency. Preference will be given to the best qualified applicants. The participant must be licensed or eligible for licensure in the state mentoring will be provided.
Organizational Structure
The on campus participant is an employee of USA and will treat patients in the clinic on campus and possible surrounding clinics. The fellow will participate as a graduate teaching assistant in the entry-level DPT program.
The off campus participant will work in a clinic in their designated location. They are employed by the clinic.
Goals of Fellowship Program
The goals of the fellowship program are to meet the standards of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapists (AAOMPT) so that the University may help produce a master clinician recognized by the appropriate professional organization(s).
Upon completion of the fellowship the resident can apply to become a fellow (FAAOMPT) of AAOMPT. The USA program is approved by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a credentialed fellowship in manual therapy.
Responsibility and Learning Activities
Participants are responsible for their progress in the fellowship program. The fellowship is a demanding clinical learning experience designed to bring out the best in each candidate. Expected learning experiences will be developed at the beginning of the fellowship during discussions between the participant and the clinical faculty. However, both the faculty and participant must remain flexible to possible changes that may occur in the schedule.
Learning Objectives
Each resident fellow is to develop a learning agreement after being accepted and prior to commencing the fellowship. This agreement will be reviewed with the clinical fellowship program director at the beginning of the fellowship, and will be modified to reflect the learning needs and the offerings of the fellowship. Modification of the agreement may take place from time to time with the agreement of both parties. These learning objectives are to include the type of clinical skills or other specific information or area the resident fellow wishes to focus upon during the fellowship, and to outline to the faculty with whom he or she wishes to work.
Learning and Practice
The fellow will achieve in the program 440 patient care hours, of which 160 are mentored hours. 100 spinal hours and 60 extremity hours of didactic work will be in manual therapy.
Journal
All participants must keep a detailed journal documenting the clinical and didactic learning activities.
Journal Club
All participants must attend the Journal Club that is held every month.
Case Examination
At least four mentored live patient examinations are required during the fellowship.
Salary and Educational Benefits
The salary on campus shall be approximately 80% of the going rate paid to a USA employee, as well as, benefits offered by USA to its employees.
Recognition
Upon completion of the fellowship the resident fellow will receive a Completion Certificate.
Deadline
Applications are being accepted for all fellowship positions.