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Physical Therapy Programs
Nova Southeastern University
3200 S. University Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33328
800-356-0026, ext. 21114
ptinfo@nova.edu
For more information, use our contact form.
Nova Southeastern University will distinguish itself as a premier provider of post-professional residency education in the United States.
NEUROLOGIC RESIDENCY
FACULTY RESIDENCY
For More Information Please Contact:
Melissa M. Tovin, P.T., M.A., Ph.D., PCS
Director of Post-Professional Clinical Advancement
Associate Professor
mtovin@nova.edu
A clinical residency program in physical therapy is a postprofessional planned learning experience in a focused area of clinical practice. A clinical residency program is a structured educational experience (both didactic and clinical) for physical therapists following entry-level education and licensure that is designed to significantly advance the physical therapist's knowledge, skills, and attributes in a specific area of clinical practice (i.e. Cardiovascular/Pulmonary, Orthopedics, Sports, Pediatrics, etc). It combines opportunities for ongoing clinical mentoring, with a theoretical basis for advanced practice and scientific inquiry based on a Description of Specialty Practice or valid analysis of practice for that specific area of clinical practice. Physical therapy residencies are accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE). Residents who graduate from an accreditted program become eligible to sit for specialist certification exam. For more general information on physical therapy residency programs visit: http://www.abptrfe.org/
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) established the specialist certification program in 1978. Specialization is the process by which a physical therapist builds on a broad base of professional education and practice to develop a greater depth of knowledge and skills related to a particular area of practice. Clinical specialization in physical therapy responds to a specific area of patient need and requires knowledge, skill, and experience exceeding that of the physical therapist at entry to the profession and unique to the specialized area of practice.
The specialist certification program was established to provide formal recognition for physical therapists with advanced clinical knowledge, experience, and skills in a special area of practice and to assist consumers and the health care community in identifying these physical therapists.
For more information on physical therapy specialist certification visit: http://www.abpts.org/