VCU College of Health Professions

The Virginia Commonwealth University

Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

 2022-2023 residency year

Advance to the next phase of your professional career by participating in the Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Residency Program. Primary practice settings include VCU Health Pediatric Acute Care and Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR) at VCU Outpatient and Specialty Clinics. Affiliated clinical sites provide additional clinical exposures to Early Intervention, School System and Inpatient Rehabilitation practice settings. Residents are enrolled in the Virginia Leadership Education in
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program (Va-LEND)

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 31, 2021

Program Mission

The mission of the Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency is to provide licensed physical therapists a pathway to achieve pediatric specialization. Program graduates will be professional leaders contributing to society by providing culturally-sensitive, family-centered care; facilitating high value health related outcomes; and actively participating in evidence based practice, community engagement, teaching, and research.

Program Description

This 12 month program provides opportunities for the resident to gain experience with a diverse and complex patient population by providing direct clinical practice hours and/or clinical observation in the 5 practice settings of acute care, outpatient, inpatient rehabilitation, early intervention, and the school system.

Residents will have mentored teaching responsibilities and exposure to research activities at VCU College of Health Professions Department of Physical Therapy

The curriculum will include enrolment of the resident in the Va-Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (Va – LEND) program.

The program is composed of blocks that group educational and clinical components and are threaded throughout the resident experience. Total Program Hours = 2198 to 2208 hrs. 

Eligibility for Admission

• Graduate from an accredited physical therapy program
• Licensed as a physical therapist (or eligible) in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• US Citizen (required to participate in federally funded LEND program)
• Member of APTA and the Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy of the APTA
• Strong professional interest in pediatric population, experience working with children, and express a desire to become a Pediatric Clinical Specialist.
• Recent graduates (practicing less than 1 year) applying to the pediatric residency must:
• • have completed a >= 8 week pediatric clinical placement
  • include a recommendation from their clinical instructor
  • have evidence of practice at “entry level” on their clinical performance evaluation  

How to Apply:

RF PTCAS Application Requirements: The applicant can access the application through the following site:

https://rfptcas.liaisoncas.com/applicant-ux/#/login

Timeline:

• Application deadline: December 31, 2021
• Internal application reviews: January 10 – January 14, 2022
• Phone interviews: January 24- January 28, 2022
• Onsite interviews: February 25, 2022
• Offers extended: Week of March 7, 2022
• Start date: July 25 or August 1, 2022

Program Director: 

Shawne Soper PT, DPT, MBA, FAPTA, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Virginia Commonwealth University, sesoper@vcu.edu