Post-Degree Residency in Pediatric Physical Therapy

PT PatientPediatric Physical Therapy:
Improving Lives Through Child's Play
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For physical therapists who are aspiring to become leaders in the specialty of pediatrics, we offer a full-time residency at the Child Development and Rehabilitation Center (CDRC) at Oregon Health & Science University.

The Physical Therapy Residency functions within the Leadership Experience in Neuro-developmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Program.  The LEND Program promotes leadership, research skills, and clinical expertise in graduate level health care professionals who intend to devote their careers to working with children who experience disabilities.

The resident experience is anchored in the CDRC interdisciplinary outpatient clinics, the acute care in-patient setting at Doernbecher Children's Hospital (DCH), and Early Intervention and Special Education settings within the Portland metro area. The physical therapy resident will have a wide variety of opportunities to participate in research and management projects as well as policy advocacy efforts related to the lives of children.

Six physical therapists at CDRC serve these settings at OHSU. The clinics address biomedical and behavioral issues related to children, such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hemophilia, Rett Syndrome, neonatal follow-up, learning and attention difficulties, genetic and metabolic disorders, trauma, and acute illness.

With Interdisciplinary Training as the primary focus, the resident will:

  • Develop skills in assessment, interpretation and intervention for children in a variety of settings.
  • Increase knowledge in all phases of normal child development.
  • Develop an awareness of the function of many of the other 12 disciplines and their role in the interdisciplinary process.
  • Increase knowledge of the impact of neuro-developmental disabilities across the life span.
  • Develop expertise in treating pediatric health care episodes such as hospitalization, trauma, and acute illness.
  • Practice with knowledge of the importance of family and the community, addressing attitudes, economics, services and legislation.
  • Develop skills in interviewing and collaborating with families for best management of health issues related to children of all abilities.

The Program Includes:

    • A weekly interdisciplinary leadership forum featuring guest speakers and promoting discussion of topics related to the field of pediatrics.
    • Research development and research mentoring.
    • Community placement opportunities for the resident to participate at the local level in leadership activities related to children and those who have developmental disorders.
    • Mentored opportunity to develop clinical supervisory skills.
    • The three Visiting Scholars whom CDRC hosts during the academic year with a focus on children and developmental disabilities.
    • Frequent in-services, "Grand Rounds", and "Brown Bag" presentations from faculty, staff and guests on topics related to the health concerns of children.
    • And finally,
      We also offer occasional opportunities to participate in conferences or continuing education related to pediatric physical therapy.

Residency Year

    • Begins and ends in late August.

Qualifications

Applicants must:

Be a Master's-level or higher graduate of an accredited physical therapy program;

and

Be eligible for physical therapy licensure in Oregon. Oregon licensure is necessary for participation in the residency.

  • Applicants should submit:

  • The Residency application (available upon request);
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • Academic Transcripts from an accredited Master’s or Clinical Doctorate level physical therapy program;
  • A letter of intent outlining background, areas of interest, and goals for the Residency;
  • Three references qualified to comment on the applicant's candidacy for the residency.
  • Applicants will participate in an interview as part of the application.
  • A resident salary with OHSU benefit package is available for the residency. Applications are accepted through March 1 for the current year, with the residency beginning in late August.

 Inquiries should be addressed to:    

Anne E. Turner, MS, PT, CCCE, Credentialed Clinical Instructor
Program Director, Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency
CDRC-OHSU
P.O. Box 574
Portland, OR 97207-0574
Phone: (503) 494-4035
Fax: (503) 494-6868
Email: turnanne@ohsu.edu

Oregon Health & Science University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. This information does not represent a contract with Oregon Health & Science University. The LEND program is supported by HRSA and MCHB. 08-01-06

Last Updated: November 16, 2006