Orthopaedic Residency Program
Program Overview & Mission
The Olympic Sports & Spine Orthopaedic Residency Program is an 18-month, clinical residency accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through the American Physical Therapy Association. The program is designed to elevate clinical excellence, advance professional competency, and enhance patient-centered care within the specialty of orthopaedic physical therapy.
Grounded in advanced clinical education, evidence-informed practice, and expert clinical reasoning, the residency provides a structured pathway for physical therapists seeking specialization in orthopaedic physical therapy. Residents complete a comprehensive clinical and academic curriculum designed to prepare them for Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) and Certified Dry Needling Specialist (CDNS) credentials through AspireOMT Institute, as well as eligibility to sit for the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) board examination through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.
A new cohort begins each year on September 1.
Curriculum Summary
The orthopaedic residency curriculum is deliberately designed to promote progressive professional development through integrated clinical and educational experiences. The clinical curriculum includes advanced clinical practice, a minimum of 150 hours of one-on-one clinical mentorship during direct patient care, and supervised experience serving as a clinical instructor for a DPT intern.
The educational curriculum consists of at least 126 hours of Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) training through AspireOMT Institute, 81 hours of dry needling education through AspireOMT Institute, and 210 hours of independent study using content developed by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.
In addition, residents complete a capstone project aligned with their professional interests. Capstone options include clinical practice improvement, quality improvement initiatives, research and evidence-based practice, education and mentorship, community and public health engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, technology and innovation, and leadership and advocacy.
Schedule Expectations
Residents are employed by Olympic Sports & Spine and are expected to work the weekly hours outlined in their employment contract. A minimum of 150 hours of one-to-one clinical mentorship with a residency-eligible mentor is embedded within the resident’s patient care schedule across the duration of the program. Educational coursework is completed outside of scheduled clinical hours. Residents should plan to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to academic learning and related educational activities.
Tuition & Financial Support
Total program tuition is $15,445 and includes the following components:
- One-on-one clinical mentorship
- Six AspireOMT Institute Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) courses and certification examination
- Three AspireOMT Institute Dry Needling courses and certification examination
- ABPTS Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) application fee (APTA member rate)
- ABPTS Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) examination fee (APTA member rate)
Olympic Sports & Spine provides substantial tuition assistance through a four-year employment agreement. Financial support is structured as follows:
- Continuing Education Benefit Applied to Tuition: $2,000 per year for Years 1–3 ($6,000 total)
- Michael Tollan Scholarship: $4,000
After tuition assistance and scholarship support, the resident’s financial responsibility is $5,445, representing approximately 35% of total tuition. This amount is paid through 104 post-tax payroll deductions over the four-year agreement, equating to $52.36 per paycheck.
Residents are compensated at 98% of the salary of a comparable staff physical therapist. Salary adjustments (increases) are applied upon attainment of Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist certification, Certified Dry Needling Specialist certification, and successful completion of ABPTS Orthopaedic Board Certification.
2-Year Employment Agreement
3-Year Employment Agreement
Minimum Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
- Successful completion of the FSBPT National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
- Eligibility for physical therapy licensure in the state of Washington by the program start date
- Active membership in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Application Process & Questions
For additional information regarding the orthopaedic residency or the application process, please contact: Samantha Gubka (residency@osstherapy.com).
New cohorts begin annually on September 1. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Orthopaedic Residency Outcomes
As of December 2025, the Olympic Sports & Spine Orthopaedic Residency Program has enrolled a total of 14 residents. Of these, six residents have successfully graduated from the program, three are currently enrolled, five withdrew voluntarily, and there have been no program terminations. These outcomes reflect a stable program structure with no involuntary dismissals.
With respect to specialty certification outcomes, six graduates have attempted the Orthopaedic Certified Specialist (OCS) examination, with a 100% pass rate to date. An additional three residents are registered to sit for the OCS examination in 2026. These results demonstrate strong preparation for board certification and alignment between the program’s curriculum, mentorship model, and expected professional outcomes.
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