Program Overview

Introduction to the UTMB Orthopedic Residency Program

The UTMB Orthopedic Residency Program is a post-graduate program designed for physical therapists who wish to advance their skills and knowledge in orthopedics. The program is one year in duration and is divided into four units based on body regions, as detailed in the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) "Description of Specialty Practice."

Program Overview

The program requires residents to rotate between the Galveston and League City facilities. The residents will spend 28-32 hours per week on average in patient care, with the remaining hours dedicated to online academic coursework and labs.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the program, candidates must:

• Have a Physical Therapy degree from an accredited Physical Therapy program
• Have current PT licensure in the state of Texas
• Have no felony convictions or other legal issues that would prevent the candidate from practicing physical therapy
• Have a current CPR/BLS certification

Program Benefits

Residents in the program are considered full-time employees and receive a salary (80% compared to a full-time new graduate) and full-time benefits, which may include medical, dental, life, disability, and vision insurance.

Tuition and Housing

There is no tuition required for the program. However, the program does not provide housing for residents.

Mentoring and Unique Opportunities

Every resident will have one-on-one mentor sessions with clinical specialists each week. The program also offers unique opportunities, such as teaching entry-level DPT students at the School of Health Professions, working at local high school sporting events, participating in research projects, and affiliating with a local APTA-accredited Fellowship program.

Application Requirements

To apply for the residency program, candidates must:

• Have graduated from an accredited PT program
• Have current licensure in the state of Texas
• Have current CPR/BLS certification
• Have no felony convictions or other legal issues that would prevent the resident from practicing physical therapy

Program Structure

The program is designed to provide residents with advanced training in orthopedics, with a focus on patient care, academic coursework, and research. The program's structure is based on the APTA's "Description of Specialty Practice" and is divided into four units based on body regions.