Sports Residency

The University of North Dakota Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program is an American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) credentialed program regionally and nationally recognized for providing exceptional sports physical therapy service and education.

1. To train licensed physical therapists to become specialists in the area of sports physical therapy.
2. To model proper ethics and professionalism as outlined in the APTA's Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist.
3. To train licensed physical therapist in the rehabilitation and return to activity of patients with sports related injuries.
4. To train a licensed physical therapist in the management of acute injuries and illnesses of patients with sports related pathologies.
5. To educate our resident in sports performance and sports science.
6. To train a licensed physical therapist in the medical/surgical considerations related to sports related injuries.
7. To educate the resident in the area of injury and disease prevention for the athletic population.
8. To model effective use of evidence based physical therapy practice through critical inquires.

1. A minimum of 300 educational hours of didactic instruction (case review, didactic classroom instruction, chat room, problem solving sessions, journal clubs, M.D. rounds, and other planned educational experiences) over the course of the program covering all aspects of Sports Physical Therapy.
2. A minimum of 150 hours of one-on-one clinical supervision and mentoring in the area of sports physical therapy treatment and management of sports related pathologies.
3. Teaching opportunities (manual therapy, exam and evaluation, cadaver anatomy, etc.) in the entry-level Physical Therapy program and the Athletic Training program at UND.
4. Application of evidence-based guidelines and advanced clinical practice.
5. Focused skill building on examination, treatment, and clinical reasoning aspects of patient care.
6. Preparation for the Sports Clinical Specialist examination.
7. Medical "shadowing" experience. Including surgical/rounds observations of approximately 1-2 hours per week encompassing the area of sports related injuries/pathologies.
8. A minimum of 200-hours of Sports Physical Therapy coverage of athletic venues including 25-50 hours of athletic training room coverage. Majority of coverage will entail university athletes; however, middle and high school experiences will also be presented.

Credentialing: The residency program follows APTA guidelines for credentialing and anticipates submission of the formalized credentialing materials this year.

Length of Residency: 12-Months

Entrance Date: July 1 of the application year

Tuition: None

Salary: Resident will be a paid employee of UND and will be reimbursed approximately 70-80% of the average starting salary in the region.

Benefits: The UND Physical Therapy Sports Resident will receive malpractice and health insurance benefits via UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

Location:
University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1301 North Columbia Rd Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037

1. Be a graduate of a Commission of Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accredited physical therapy program by the start of the residency year.
2. Be licensed to practice physical therapy in the state of North Dakota by the start of the residency year.
3. Be an active member of the APTA in good standing.
4. Have current CPR/AED certification.
5. Have professional liability insurance coverage that applies to all clinical settings.
6. Submit a completed application in a timely manner in order to be considered for the program.
7. Meet qualification requirements to perform high velocity, low amplitude thrust manual therapy as outlined in the North Dakota Physical Therapy Practice Act.
8. Possess one of the following prior to the start of the program:
   1. Current ATC designation.
   2. Current license as an EMT.
   3. Certification as an emergency responder.

The UND Sports Physical Therapy Residency will be participating in the standardized Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program Match for the upcoming application cycle. This process will fill our one (1) available Resident position for our upcoming start date of July 1, 2025.  All communication regarding this matching process will come through the Match Program, EXXAT, if you receive an interview offer.  Good luck, and we look forward to reviewing your application!

Applicants must apply via RF-PTCAS.

Application Deadline: December 1

Admission Decision Date: March 1

The application will include:

1. Curriculum Vita identifying:
   1. Professional education
   2. Postgraduate continuing education (if applicable)
   3. Work experience (which should include type of facility, common types of disorder treated, and percentage of time as FTE)
   4. Certifications / Specializations
   5. Professional association affiliations and activities
   6. Honors and awards
   7. Presentations and Publications
2. Professional Essay (2-3 pages) including:
   1. The applicant's Goals and expectations during residency
   2. Personal and professional strengths and weaknesses
   3. Why you desire to complete a sports residency
   4. How  you will use this residency to benefit the community and your profession
   5. Short and long term personal and professional goals
3. Three Letters of Reference
   
   Following the application process, the admission committee will determine who will be invited for a formal interview. If accepted into the UND Sports Residency, the applicant must have a criminal background check completed and must be a licensed Physical Therapist in the state of North Dakota with qualifications to perform manual therapy.