Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency

Mission
The Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program supports the mission of Saint Francis University by providing quality educational, clinical, and research opportunities. In conjunction with Saint Francis University, this program and parterning organization will enable participants to apply evidence-based skills through a variety of learning activities and experiences. By achieving the program goals (listed below), resident have the opportunity to become leaders within their communities while shaping the knowledge, skills, and professional behavior that will dictate the future of pediatric physical therapy.
Residency Description
The Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program at Saint Francis University is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association as a post professional residency program for physical therapists in pediatric physical therapy. This program allows a licensed physical therapist resident to gain additional knowledge and training in the pediatric physical therapy specialty area and prepares the resident to become a board certified pediatric clinical specialist. This residency is offered through partnerships with Positive Steps Therapy and Kids First.
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Curriculum

The program duration is 12 months beginning August 1. The curriculum consists of a variety of learning experiences including lecture, laboratory, case study, self-study, observation, time in mentored pediatric clinical practice, and non-mentored pediatric clinical practice. Experience in multiple practice settings is provided.

Program Goals

To prepare residents to enter physical therapy specialty practice.
To educate residents to use an evidence-based approach to support decisions and serve the needs of the consumers and society.
To prepare residents to function as a clinical specialist in a complex health care environment.
To facilitate residents’ ability to use advanced critical thinking and problem solving in professional practice.
To educate residents to become advocates and ethical and caring practitioners of physical therapy.

Program Affiliations

The residency is offered through a partnership model. The resident will be an employee of the partnering organization and will complete all non-mentored clinical practice hours, as well as most mentored practice at the partnering facility. Additional mentored clinical practice, as well as all instructional and educational experiences, will take place at the DiSepio Institute for Rural Health and Wellness or via face-to-face meetings at other locations or via video teleconferencing/web-based interactive experiences.
Additional affiliation agreements with clinical sites for the residency program will be considered on an individual basis.

Program Data

Current Pediatric Specialty Exam Pass Rate - 100%
Current Graduation Rate - 100%

Admission Requirements

Preferred applicants are physical therapists who are interested in a career in pediatric physical therapy. Previous clinical experiences and skills in pediatric physical therapy as well as research experience are preferred. New graduates are also welcome to apply.
Applicants must also possess:
Current (or eligible) license to practice physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Malpractice insurance

Application Process

All residency applications are now being processed through RF-PTCAS
System which can be accessed at this link: http://www.abptrfe.org/RFPTCAS/ApplicantWebsite/ . If you experience difficulty with this link or have additional questions, please contact Kara Kobal (kkobal@francis.edu).
Residency Dates: August 1-July 31 (12 months).
Application Deadline: February 28th! Apply today!

Questions or Inquiries

Prospective applicants or clinics interested in developing an affiliation agreement with the residency program may direct questions to Kara Kobal at (814)472-3306 or kkobal@francis.edu.

Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency

Mission

Residency Description

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