The Virginia Commonwealth University-Sheltering Arms Institute Neurological Physical Therapy Residency Program
Advance to the next phase of your professional development by participating in the Virginia Commonwealth University - Sheltering Arms Institute Neurological Physical Therapy Residency Program, a partnership between Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Physical Therapy (VCU), Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCUHS), and Sheltering Arms Institute (SAI).
Virginia Commonwealth is a large academic level 1 trauma center and as such provides unique experiences that are rich and educational. Sheltering Arms Institute is a recognized leader in the use of advanced technologies to improve outcomes for those patients with severe neurological insults. SAI has been ranked #19 in the nation and #1 in Virginia for physical rehabilitation.
Join our team of innovative educators and clinicians for a 1-year experience that spans acute care provided in an intensive care setting to outpatient experiences in the VCU Movement Disorders Center. This broad range of experiences prepares residents for the specialty examination in neurological physical therapy and receive an excellent salary and benefits as you gain advanced knowledge and skills in Neurological Physical Therapy.
Deadline is December 31, 2026.
The mission of the VCU-SA Neurological Physical Therapy Residency Program is to prepare physical therapy residents for advanced specialty practice.
The program is designed to provide comprehensive training in leading-edge assessment and treatment of individuals with neurologic impairments while promoting the core values of professionalism. This program will aim to produce advanced physical therapy practitioners who are able to provide care to individuals with complex neurologic disorders, teach, serve as a resource to the community and other health professionals, and contribute to evidence-based practice.
Attaining the knowledge and skills to be a certified neurologic clinical specialist will be accomplished via neurological clinical experiences throughout the continuum of care in a variety of settings at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital and Virginia Commonwealth University Health System under the mentorship of neurological clinical specialists, along with didactic learning experiences in neurology with Virginia Commonwealth University teaching and research faculty.
The residency is comprised of a network of community clinical partnerships that provide the resident with a wide variety of opportunities promoting enhanced clinical reasoning and exposing the resident to differing perspectives on care. The experiences are designed to achieve the vision of the program while preparing the resident for successful completion of the specialty exam.
The one-year residency includes
- Contributing to a clinical project that can be disseminated nationally (scholarship / research)
- Contributing to an initiative aimed to improve the health of the community (service learning)
- Promoting evidence based care (evidence based practice)
- Learning through interprofessional collaboration and networking (interprofessional education)
- Teaching in the entry level program or for professional development events (teaching)
Although residents are expected to contribute to and learn from each component of the program, residents are encouraged to design an experience that both provides a foundation for their continued professional development and challenges their professional growth. The clinical mentors and residency faculty help guide the design of the resident’s individualized experience.
Eligibility for Admission
- Graduate from an accredited physical therapy program
- Licensed as a physical therapist (or eligible) in the Commonwealth of Virginia
- Member of APTA
RF-PTCAS Application Requirements
- Complete RF-PTCAS application
- Employment History
- License and CEU’s
- Professional Memberships and Involvement
- Background Information
- Clinical Experience and Internships
- Personal statement / essays
- Volunteer History
- Official transcripts from every PT US college and university attended
- RF-PTCAS application fee
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Recommendations providing insight into clinical experience and qualifications for residency
- Recent graduates (practicing less than 1 year) -– must include a recommendation from one of your clinical instructors and evidence of practice at “entry level” on the CPI
- Practicing Clinicians – recommendations from professional colleagues are acceptable
- Recommendations providing insight into clinical experience and qualifications for residency
Additional Requirements
- Employment applications to each facility (timing to be after being chosen as the incoming resident)
- Residency application fee
- Curriculum Vitae
Ongoing Requirements
- Evidence of APTA membership
- Compliance with employment requirements of Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital and VCU Health System
Supplemental Application Fee
The VCU-SA Neuro Residency accepted the first resident in 2014.
| Total # of Residents | 16 |
| Current residents in program | 2 |
| Total # of Graduates | 16 |
| Specialty exam candidates | 13 |
| Specialty exam pass rate | 100% (13/13) |
Residency Team
Alicia Flach PT,DPT EdD (flacha2@vcu.edu)
Associate Professor
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS)
Board-Certified Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Specialist (MSCS)
Dr. Alicia Flach is an Associate Professor at the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Physical Therapy. Her primary teaching role is in rehabilitation of adults with neurological conditions and injuries. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and her Doctor of Physical Therapy and Educational Doctorate from University of South Carolina. Additionally, she is recognized as a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS), Board-Certified Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Specialist (MSCS), and Physical Therapy Faculty Scholar at the Parkinson's Foundation. Dr. Flach’s research interests are understanding student experiences in healthcare education programs and how physical activity and exercise can help in optimizing movement and quality of life in individuals living with degenerative neurological conditions.