The mission of the University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program is to develop physical therapists who advance the science and practice of orthopedic physical therapy through orthopedic clinical practice, teaching, and service. The program is dedicated to providing focused, on-going mentorship to prepare residents to become APTA-recognized orthopedic certified specialists and advanced practitioners of patients with orthopedic conditions. Residents and program graduates will provide service and leadership to the physical therapy profession at the University, State, National, and International levels.

• Resident year is August 1—July 31.
• Resident is a University of Montana employee and receives full benefits per the Montana University System programs.
• Residents complete, on average, 30 hours per week of clinical practice and 10 hours per week of a combination of teaching, physician shadowing, journal clubs, and academic classes.
• The curriculum includes advanced orthopedic coursework in orthopedic manual physical therapy, pharmacology, musculoskeletal imaging, and pain science.

Goal 1: The University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, in direct alignment with the mission of the School and College, will exemplify excellence in orthopedic clinical practice through development of the resident’s clinical expertise and attainment of orthopedic specialist recognition.

Goal 2: The University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, in direct alignment with the mission of the School and the College, will advance the scientific and physical therapy knowledge through scholarship and teaching.

Goal 3: The University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, in direct alignment with the mission of the School and College, will be recognized for service on the University of Montana campus, in the community of Missoula, and the state of Montana.

Goal 4: The University of Montana Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program, in direct alignment with the mission of the School and the College, will create and maintain a model of financial stability, program sustainability, continuous curriculum development, and overall improvement.

Residency Graduates will:

Outcome 1: Meet the needs of society by becoming advanced practitioners of orthopedic physical therapy

Outcome 2: Contribute to the body of knowledge in orthopedic physical therapy and demonstrate mastery as a consumer of relevant scientific literature, and by virtue of assessing new literature, incorporate new techniques and knowledge into orthopedic physical therapy practice.

Outcome 3: Contribute to the future of clinicians through teaching, clinical instruction, and service.

*All residency graduates have recieved employment offers prior to residency graduation.