Program Overview

Introduction to the Acute Care Residency Program

The University of Utah Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency program prepares physical therapists to thrive across the broad spectrum of acute patient management. The role of acute care physical therapists is rapidly growing, as is the need for specialists with more advanced knowledge. Acute care specialists can make a profound difference in a patient’s hospitalization and help people through some of the biggest challenges of their lives. Acute care PTs work in interprofessional teams, advocating for patient independence and quality of life post-hospitalization.

Program Details

This 12-month program includes:

• Direct patient care in all areas of acute patient management
• Mentoring with expert PTs in each setting
• Targeted didactics
• Teaching in the University of Utah entry-level DPT program
• Clinical research opportunities and mentorship
• A variety of other professional development opportunities

Sponsoring Agencies

• The Department of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training (PTAT)
• University of Utah Health

Outcomes

• Cumulative Completion Rate: 100% (4/4)
• Board specialty pass rate: N/A

Accreditation

The Acute Care Residency is accredited by ABPRFE (since 2022).

Basic Information

Duration

12 months

Capacity

1 resident per year

Approx. Time Breakdown

• Patient care (~32 hours/week): Includes 3 hours/week 1:1 mentoring with expert clinicians, rotations across the spectrum of acute PT management, including cardiovascular, medical, neurologic, orthopedic, surgery, oncology, and burn
• Didactics (1-2 hours/week plus independent study): Online and in-person didactics, topics include ICU basics, ACLS, mechanical circulatory support, hemodynamics, joint surgeries, Level 1 CCIP (CI credentialing) course
• Teaching: Teaching assistant in entry-level DPT course (~2X hours/week): Patient Safety and Handling (Summer); Doctoral seminar; PT topics (TBD), regular nursing staff education on safe patient handling and mobility
• Professional development: Research, community service learning, in-service presentations, interprofessional clinics
• Specialty areas of practice, including: Wound care, lymphedema, women’s health, emergency department, psychiatry, newborn

Mission

Prepare physical therapists to practice in all settings of acute care physical therapy to advance physical therapists’ contribution to the field.

Financial Considerations

Salary

Standard PT salary for 30 hours/week clinic (~$63,000 DOE for new graduates) plus benefits (0.75FTE)

Fringe benefits

• $750 continuing education (CE) stipend + 5 days PTO for approved CE
• CI credentialing course
• $60 uniform stipend
• Medbridge subscription

Fees

• Program fee $6,000

Other costs

• Uniform requirements ($60 stipend)
• Personal liability policy
• APTA, APTA Acute care section, APTA-Utah chapter dues
• Professional conference costs above CE stipend

Admission

Application due

February 15

Interviews / offers

March

Orientation / Program start

First full week of August

Minimum applicant requirements

Eligible for UT licensure / hospital credentialing by early July (must take NPTE no later than April)

Mentors

• Haley Bento, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• Nicholas R. Burke, DPT, Physical Therapist
• Alyssa Caggiano
• Brett Fechter, Physical Therapist
• Joel Fletcher, Physical Therapist
• Ronda L. Hopkins, Physical Therapist
• Max Hunter, Physical Therapist
• Bryan Lohse, PT, DPT, CCS, Physical Therapist
• Caitlin Janeway, PT, Physical Therapist
• Emma Johnson, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist, Program Co-Coordinator
• Caitlin Michaels, PT, Physical Therapist
• Christine Ryan, PT, Neuro Critical Care / Neuro Acute Care Mentor
• Julie Zamora, PT, Physical Therapist

Resident

• Marta Cholewa, PT, DPT

Leadership

• Haley Bento, PT, DPT, Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• Emma Johnson, PT, DPT, Physical Therapist, Program Co-Coordinator

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Utah Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency Program, University of Utah, and University of Utah Health are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The Residency Program and associated institutions all comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations related to privacy and confidentiality.