Acute Care Residency

Preparing PTs for one of the Fastest-growing Specialties

The University of Utah Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency program prepares PTs 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.

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; and, a variety of other professional development opportunities.

Sponsoring Agencies

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

Outcomes

Graduation rate
100% (2/2)

Board specialty pass rate:
N/A

Accreditation

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

Program Introduction Video

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

Our 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

ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet

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.