Physical therapy rotation

The current application cycle for 2026 placements has closed. We will begin accepting applications for 2027 placements in early 2026. In past years we have taken applications via email (rehabclined@ohsu.edu). We will update specifics as the window approaches and we finalize details. If you have any questions, please reach out to the email listed above.

Speech-language pathology rotation

The current application cycle for 2026 placements has closed. We will begin accepting applications for 2027 placements in early 2026. In past years we have taken applications via email (rehabclined@ohsu.edu). We will update specifics as the window approaches and we finalize details. If you have any questions, please reach out to the email listed above.

Occupational therapy rotation

The current application cycle for 2026 placements has closed. We will begin accepting applications for 2027 placements in early 2026. In past years we have taken applications via email (rehabclined@ohsu.edu). We will update specifics as the window approaches and we finalize details. If you have any questions, please reach out to the email listed above.

Program goals

• Support the mission and vision of OHSU and Rehabilitation Services by contributing to the professional advancement of future leaders in physical therapy who provide ethical, evidence-based and high-quality patient care.
• Receive and sustain American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education credentialed status.
• Provide enough clinical and didactic learning experiences to prepare the resident for the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties exam and to become an orthopaedic clinical specialist.
• Create a comprehensive orthopaedic curriculum that incorporates the Description of Specialty Practice, unique offerings and collaborative relationships across disciplines at OHSU and in the community.
• Provide advanced clinical training in a hospital-based outpatient physical therapy setting through mentorship by clinical faculty and staff while ensuring exposure to a diverse patient population.
• Provide resident and faculty teaching opportunities through collaboration with the George Fox University and Pacific University physical therapy programs, and within the OHSU Rehabilitation Department.

Program description

Our program offers one year of advanced post-professional training focused on outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy care. Resident training includes:

• Clinical excellence through advanced mentoring with highly qualified clinical experts and Orthopedic Clinical Specialist clinicians.
• Teaching in the doctoral physical therapy program at Pacific University.
• Multidisciplinary and community participation at events in collaboration with the OHSU Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics Departments.
• Research experience with collaboration through OHSU and/or Pacific University.
• In house, in person didactic learning through lectures and journal clubs lead by faculty mentors. 

Average hours per week:

• Clinical mentoring: three to six hours per week on alternating weeks
• Didactic hours: variable hours week to week ranging from two to ten. Our planned hours exceed the ABPTRFEs requirement of 300 hours per year
• Independent patient care: 30 hours per week

Mentoring:

• The residency director mentors residents throughout the year. The focus is on advanced clinical reasoning, motivational interviewing, therapeutic alliance and shared goal setting. This mentoring occurs every other week.
• Clinical staff members mentor residents during two- to six-week intervals focusing on clinical specialty areas. Content is closely aligned with the Current Concepts monographs that guide preparation for the OCS examination.

Program Costs:

• There are no program costs associated with the residency program.
• Download OHSU's ABPTRFE financial fact sheet for 2024-2025 (Word document).

Resident Position:

• The residency position is a one-year, limited duration, unclassified hourly position.
• The resident is an employee of OHSU is entitled to receive the same benefits as unclassified employees, including health coverage (medical, dental, vision), life insurance, long and short-term disability, retirement options, vacation time, sick time, paid holidays
• The program runs annually, starting and ending in August

Admissions criteria

Applicants must:

• Have proof of Oregon state physical therapy licensure, in good standing. Applicants with temporary licensure may apply but must be fully licensed before the August start date.
• Complete all residency application requirements through the RF-PTCAS portal.
• In addition to the RF-PTCAS, applicants must apply to the OHSU physical therapy resident position through our jobs portal.
• Our application requirements include:
  • Cover Letter/Letter of Intent
  • CV or Resume
  • Three Professional Letters of Recommendation
  • Written responses to clinical questions

Important Dates for August 2026 Residency start:

• Application Opens: September 30th, 2025
• We will accept applications until August 14th, 2026; however, the early priority admission deadline is December 31st, 2025. Applications submitted up to this date will be considered equally and interviews for these applications will be held in January 2026 for our resident position starting August 2026. Application submitted after this date will be considered if there is a vacancy in the residency position.

We look for candidates who:

• Are motivated, self-directed, professional and eager to advance their clinical practice.
• Show initiative, strong communication skills and a vision for leadership in the profession.
• Can juggle multiple demands on their time.
• Can frequently reflect on their performance.

Program outcomes

The orthopedic physical therapy program has a 100% graduation rate and 100% pass rate of the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist Exam.