Neurological Residency Program

Residents admitted to the 12 month long program will be licensed physical therapists who are seeking post-professional development in neurologic physical therapy practice. The residency program provides advanced post-graduate training for specialty practice in all realms of neurologic physical therapy across the healthcare continuum. The resident will be required to complete both didactic coursework and participate in mentored clinical practice treating a caseload with a wide array of disorders affecting the neuromuscular system. The curriculum is designed to prepare the resident to successfully complete the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) exam in neurology.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Neurologic Residency Program at Nova Southeastern University is to prepare physical therapy residents for advanced practice in the management of movement disorders related to neuromuscular system dysfunction. Residents are prepared for specialty practice as experts in patient/client management of persons with physical neurologic disorders. Residents are trained in evidenced-based principles which guide clinical decision making for differential diagnosis and implementation of physical therapy interventions. Residents contribute to the physical therapy body of knowledge through scholarly contribution including research and teaching. Residents are recognized as leaders in the profession of physical therapy through clinical expertise, advocacy and service to the profession and community.

Program Goals

• Support the mission, vision, and values of Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital by providing expert physical therapy services to patients/clients through development of highly skilled, advanced practitioners.
• Support the mission of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) by creating practitioners of choice in a specific area of practice with advanced specialty certification.
• To be a nationally recognized provider for post-professional clinical residency education in the area of neurologic physical therapy.
• Develop residency graduates who are well prepared to pursue American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) specialist certification in neurology.
• Prepare residents to be autonomous providers of physical therapy services who embrace the culture of a doctoring profession, within their specialized area of clinical practice.

Program Objectives 

• Recruit highly qualified physical therapists with strong interest in neurologic physical therapy.
• Prepare a curriculum of specialty practice in neurologic physical therapy that meets or exceeds the requirements for residency accreditation by the APTA.
• Provide physical therapy residents at Pinecrest Rehabilitation Hospital with an advanced level of clinical education and training in neurologic physical therapy as outlined in the Description of Specialty Practice (DSP) for neurology.
• Provide individual clinical mentoring with meaningful feedback to promote the clinical growth and development of residents.
• Provide residents with mentoring in the following areas: scholarly activities; educational activities; professionalism; and practice management.
• Prepare the resident to mentor future residents, colleagues, and physical therapy students.
• Provide opportunities for the resident to demonstrate growth and development in the areas of professional leadership, advocacy and service.
• Prepare the resident to be a consumer of scientific literature, pursue research and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Prepare resident to be a practitioner of choice and professional resource in the area of neurologic physical therapy practice.