Residency & Fellowship

Advance Your Clinical Career at OSS

Olympic Sports & Spine (OSS) is committed to clinical excellence, and nothing exemplifies that commitment more than our APTA Accredited Residency and Fellowship programs. Our programs facilitate the development of advanced skills that both enhance the quality care offered to our patients and in doing so, help to elevate the physical therapy profession.

OSS offers three (3) clinical tracks to choose from: Orthopedic Residency, Sports Residency & Orthopedic Manual Therapy Fellowship programs.

Orthopaedic Residency Program

Program Overview & Mission

Olympic Sports & Spine’s Orthopedic Residency is an 18-month  clinical residency program that is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through the American Physical Therapy Association.  The missing of the residency program is to elevate a physical therapist’s competency and enhance patient centered care within the specialty practice area of orthopaedic physical therapy. The residency is characterized by advanced clinical education, principles of evidence informed practice, and processes of clinical reasoning. The clinical and academic curriculum is designed for residents to become a certified orthopaedic manual therapist (COMT) through AspireOMT and prepare for orthopaedic board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. A new cohort begins on September 1st of each year.

Download the Orthopaedic Residency Program Informational Video

Curriculum Summary

The curriculum for the orthopaedic residency is divided into two subsections - professional development and professional activities. The first 12 months is dedicated to professional development of the resident within the following orthopaedic knowledge areas:  clinical reasoning, medical considerations, treatment interventions, lumbar spine, pelvic girdle, hip, knee, foot & ankle, temporomandibular joint, cervical spine, thoracic spine & rib cage, shoulder complex, elbow, wrist & hand, and pain science.  Orthopaedic residents will attend six certified orthopaedic manual therapy (COMT) courses through AspireOMT and take the COMT exam.  Other teaching methods utilized include American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy independent study courses, Medbridge Education online courses, and journal readings/assignments.

The last 6 months are dedicated to professional activities of orthopedic physical therapists which  include clinical instruction of a DPT intern, writing a case report for journal publication, and provide a two hour presentation to the OSS organization.

Schedule Expectations

Residents are full-time employees performing job related duties as specified within their contract for 40 hours per week. 150 hours of one-to-one patient care clinical mentorship with an OCS clinician will be incorporated into the resident’s patient care schedule throughout the duration of the program.  Completion of academic-related curricular activities will be performed outside of the resident’s clinical practice schedule.  Residents should designate 10 hours each week for completion of those learning activities.  

Tuition

The orthopedic residency tuition is $13,285. Tuition covers the expense for AspireOMT’s COMT certification program, Medbridge Education subscription, American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy independent study courses, OCS clinical mentorship, and ABPTS’s OCS exam application review & examination fees.  

Olympic Sports & Spine will provide tuition assistance based on the length of the employment agreement.  

The program will offer the following two agreement/payment options:

2-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Resident:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$13,285
- $4,000
- $4,000
= $5,285
52
$101.63
~ 97%

3-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Resident:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$13,285
- $6,000
- $4,000
= $3,285
78
$42.11
~ 99%

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
  • Successful completion of FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
  • Licensure to practice physical therapy within the state of Washington by the program start date
  • Active membership to the American Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy

Application Process & Questions

Please contact Samantha Gubka at residency@osstherapy.com for further information regarding the orthopedic residency and its application process.

New cohorts begin on September 1 of each year.

Orthopaedic Residency Outcomes

As of July 2024

  • 4 out of 10 residents successfully completed the orthopaedic residency. 4 dropped out. 2 active.
  • 2 incoming orthopaedic residents for the 2023 cohort.
  • 3 graduates obtained orthopaedic board certification through ABPTS;  1 did not register for the test; 2 active residents are registered to take the exam in 2024.


Apply for an Orthopaedic Residency

Sports Residency Program

Program Overview & Mission

Olympic Sports & Spine's Sports Residency is an 18-month clinical residency program that is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through the American Physical Therapy Association.  The mission of the residency program is to elevate a physical therapist's competency and enhance patient centered care within the specialty practice area of sports physical therapy. The residency is characterized by advanced clinical education, principles of evidence informed practice, and processes of clinical reasoning. The clinical and academic curriculum is designed for residents to become a certified orthopaedic manual therapist (COMT) through AspireOMT and prepare for sports board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. A new  cohort begins on September 1st of each year.

Download the Sports Residency Program Informational Video

Curriculum Summary

The curriculum for the sports residency is divided into two subsections - professional development and professional activities. The first 12 months is dedicated to professional development of the resident within the following knowledge areas:  rehabilitation / return to sport, acute injury/illness management, medical considerations, injury prevention and sports performance enhancement.  Sports residents will attend six certified orthopaedic manual therapy (COMT) courses through AspireOMT and take the COMT exam.  Other teaching methods utilized include American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy independent study courses, Medbridge Education online courses, journal readings/assignments, and athletic venue coverage.  Athletic venue coverage will primarily be completed at a local high school contracted by Olympic Sports and Spine however there will be other events available to the resident throughout the year.

The last 6 months are dedicated to professional activities  of sports physical therapists which include clinical instruction of a DPT intern, writing a case report for journal publication, and provide a two hour presentation to the OSS organization.

Schedule Expectations

Residents are full-time employees performing job related duties as specified within their contract for 40 hours per week. 150 hours of one-to-one patient care clinical mentorship with an SCS clinician will be incorporated into the resident’s patient care schedule throughout the duration of the program.  Completion of academic-related curricular activities will be performed outside of the resident’s clinical practice schedule.  Residents should designate 10 hours each week for completion of those learning activities.

Tuition

The sports residency tuition is $13,285. Tuition covers the expense for AspireOMT’s COMT certification program, Medbridge Education subscription, American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy independent study courses, SCS clinical mentorship, and ABPTS’s SCS exam application review & examination fees.  

Olympic Sports & Spine will provide tuition assistance based on the length of the employment agreement.  

Olympic Sports & Spine will offer the following two agreement/payment options:

2-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Resident:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$13,285
- $4,000
- $4,000
= $5,285
52
$101.63
~ 97%

3-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Resident:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$13,285
- $6,000
- $4,000
= $3,285
78
$42.11
~ 99%

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

  • Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
  • Successful completion of FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
  • Licensure to practice physical therapy within the state of Washington by the program start date
  • Active membership to the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy

Application Process & Questions

Please contact Samantha Gubka at residency@osstherapy.com for further information regarding the sports residency and its application process.

New cohorts begin on September 1 of each year.

Sports Residency Outcomes

As of July 2024

  • 1 out of 3 residents successfully completed the sports residency; 1 dropped out. 1 active.
  • 4 incoming sport residents for the 2023 cohort.
  • 1 graduate obtained sports board certification through ABPTS; 1 did not meet passing criteria and has registered to retake the exam in 2024.

Apply for a Sports Residency

Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship

Program Overview & Mission

Olympic Sports & Spine's Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship is a 24-month clinical fellowship program that is dual accredited by (1) American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education through the American Physical Therapy Association and the (2) Accreditation Council for Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education through the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists.    The mission of the Olympic Sports & Spine’s Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship is to elevate the orthopedic and/or sports physical therapist’s competency within the subspecialty practice of orthopedic manual physical therapy competency. The fellowship and is characterized by the attainment of advanced knowledge and skills, the application of principles of evidence informed practice, and the development of clinical reasoning to enhance patient outcomes.  

Certifications and recognitions achieved by completing the fellowship program include:  

  • Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) certification through AspireOMT,  
  • Spinal Manipulative Therapist (SMT) certification through AspireOMT,
  • fellowship-trained in OMPT through ABPTRFE, and
  • Fellow of AAOMPT (FAAOMPT)  

A new cohort begins on  September 1st of each year.  

Download the Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship Informational Video

Curriculum Summary

The OMPT fellowship’s curriculum is divided into two subsections – clinical and academic. The clinical curriculum consists of patient care with FAAOMPT consultation available and direct one-on-one patient care clinical mentorship with an FAAOMPT clinician.  The academic curriculum consists of 11 courses from AspireOMT for fellows-in-training to earn their Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) and Spinal Manipulative Therapist (SMT) certifications.  Adjunctive learning activities is provided by Olympic Sports & Spine through the following series:  Exercise Rehabilitation for OMPT, Neurodynamics for OMPT, Pain Science for OMPT, and Research within OMPT.  

Schedule Expectations

Fellows-in-training are employees within Olympic Sports and Spine and will perform the expected job duties as outlined within their contract.  A total of 150 hours of one-to-one mentorship with a FAAOMPT clinician is provided to the fellow-in-training throughout the duration of the program during clinical practice.  Outside of patient care mentoring, FAAOMT faculty are available for synchronous and/or asynchronous consultation.   Completion of academic-related curricular activities will be performed outside of the fellow-in-training's clinical practice schedule.  Weekly hours dedicated to academic study is variable throughout the duration of the program and is dependent on the learning activity.

Tuition

The  orthopedic manual therapy fellowship tuition is $16,900. Tuition covers the expense for AspireOMT courses, Medbridge Education subscriptions, FAAOMPT clinical mentorship, and AspireOMT’s COMT & SMT certification exams.  Olympic Sports & Spine will provide tuition assistance based on the length of the employment agreement.  

Olympic Sports & Spine will offer the following two agreement / payment options:

2-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Fellow:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$17,200
- $4,000
- $6,000
= $7,200
52
$138.46
~ 97%

3-Year Employment Agreement

Program Tuition:
Continuing Education Benefit:
OSS Financial Aid
Financial Responsibility of Fellow:
Pay Cycles:
Post Tax Paycheck Deduction:
% Salary to a comparable Physical Therapist:
$17,200
- $6,000
- $6,000
= $5,200
78
$66.67
~ 99%

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

  1. American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Board Certified Specialist in Orthopedics or Sports; and/or
  2. Graduate from an American Board of Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) accredited orthopedic or sport residency program.

Application Process & Questions

Please contact Samantha Gubka at residency@osstherapy.com for further information regarding the orthopedic manual therapy fellowship and its application process.

New cohorts begin on September 1 of each year.

Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Outcomes

As of July 2024

  • 1 out of 3 fellows-in-training successfully completed the OMPT fellowship; 1 dropped out. 1 active.
  • The one graduate to date has applied for and was accepted by AAOMPT as a Fellow (FAAOMPT).
  • The one active fellow-in-training has successfully completed the Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) and Spinal Manipulative Therapist (SMT) certification programs through AspireOMT Institute and will be graduating shortly and submitting their application for Fellow of AAOMPT (FAAOMPT) consideration.

Apply for an Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Fellowship

We are accredited!

Olympic Sports & Spine's Clinical Resident and Fellowship programs are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.

X