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Exceptional care for all types of athletes

The University of Utah Sports Physical Therapy Residency program prepares graduates to excel in a wide variety of athletic practice settings. In addition to clinical practice in the exceptional University of Utah Health system with access to vast University resources, residents work with local high school teams, University of Utah Athletics (PAC-12), and a number of local amateur and professional organizations.

This 14-month program includes direct patient care; mentoring with up to 14 expert clinicians, many of whom are board-certified clinical specialists in sports and/or orthopaedic PT; targeted didactics; short and long-term athletics rotations, including on-field patient management; teaching in the University of Utah Masters of Athletic Training program; clinical research opportunities and mentorship; and, a variety of other professional development opportunities. 

Basic Information

Duration

14 months

Capacity

2 residents per cohort

Time & Activities

Patient care (~30 hours/week)

  • Includes 4 hours/week 1:1 mentoring rotating among 14 expert clinicians
  • Time split between outpatient orthopaedic patient care (7 months each University Orthopaedic Center (UOC) and South Jordan Health Center (SJHC) and University of Utah Athletic Training Rooms
  • Includes 4 hours/week Sports Med Injury Clinic co-treating with SportsMedicine MDs

Long-term athletics assignment with local high schools

Short-term athletics assignments with local University, amateur, and professional organizations. Opportunities outside the University of Utah may vary year to year and depend on which organizations the University is contracted with for athlete care.

  • University of Utah (Pac-12) athletics
    Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City Stars (NBA, NBA G league basketball)
    US Ski and Snowboard
    Ririe-Woodbury dance company
    Local events: Tour of Utah (cycling), other as available
    Customized final 2 months athletics experience

Didactics (1.5-2 hours/week plus independent study

  • In-person and online didactics (~60% with ortho residents)
    Level 1 CCIP (CI credentialing) course

Teaching assistant in Masters of Athletic Training courses (~3 hours/week)

  • Intro to Clinical Exam & Injury

Professional development 

  • Research (20 hours)
    Clinical, athletics, or community project (20 hours)

Our Mission

Accelerate the development of PTs from novice to advanced in sports physical therapy residency core competencies.

Sponsoring Agencies

 

Outcomes

Graduation rate
100%

First-time SCS pass rate

100%

Accreditation

Accreditation: ABPRFE (since 2020).

ABPTRFE Accredited Program

Financial Considerations

Salary

Salary: standard PT salary for 30 hours/week clinic (~$59K for new graduates) plus benefits (0.75FTE) 
Fringe benefits

  • $750 continuing education (CE) stipend + 5 days PTO for approved CE
  • CI credentialing course
  • Medbridge subscription
  • CSM abstract submission fee
  • Eligible to apply for UOC scholarship

Fees

  • Program fee $6,000

Other costs

  • Personal liability policy
  • APTA, AASPT, APTA-Utah chapter dues

ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Utah Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program, University of Utah, and University Orthopaedic Center 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.

Admission

Application due

January 7

Interviews / offers

February

Orientation / Program start

First full week of June

Application

Submit applications online through RF-PTCAS.

Minimum applicant requirements

Eligible for UT licensure / hospital credentialing by mid- to late May (must take NPTE no later than April)
By start date, residents must have current certification in Basic Life Support as well as Emergency Medical Response (EMR) or Emergency Response for the Athlete (ERA). This requirement is waived if the applicant has current certification or licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician, certification or licensure as a Paramedic, or current certification as an Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Credentialing (NATABOC) (certified within past 10 years, and eligible for AT licensure in UT).

Mentors/Faculty

Leadership

Residents

Contact Us

Email the Program Coordinator

Patty Trela

Misha Bradford

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