Innovation: FYZICAL's Orthopedic Residency Program Advances PT Skills

Can you tell us about the FYZICAL Residency Orthopedic Program, and why you decided to create the program? 

Answer: The original vision for the Residency Program was to provide a clinical pathway for our physical therapists to undergo advanced training and increase their orthopedic skill set. This initiative empowered our therapists to deliver superior patient-centered care, ultimately leading to improved outcomes.

We recognized early on that creating an Orthopedic Clinical Residency would attract physical therapists committed to lifelong learning. It would also provide them with an opportunity for advancement as Orthopedic Clinical Specialists, instructors, and mentors. For the company and our franchise partners, this residency also offers a chance to demonstrate our commitment to excellence in evidence-based practice and to reduce practice variability across the FYZICAL brand.

How does the program benefit physical therapists?

Answer: The FYZICAL Orthopedic Clinical Residency Program offers physical therapists the education and training necessary to successfully prepare for the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) examination offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.

Those who successfully pass the exam are then qualified to use the OCS designation in their marketing materials, professional portfolios, and clinical documentation. Physical therapists trained in the residency program also benefit from increased confidence in their ability to evaluate and successfully treat a wide variety of even the most challenging orthopedic patients. This leads to enhanced job satisfaction, driven by positive patient outcomes and greater confidence in evaluating and treating even the most complex orthopedic cases.

Why would a physical therapist choose FYZICAL for this program over another residency program?

Answer: The FYZICAL Orthopedic Residency is unique in that it allows residents to network with other physical therapists and PT assistants in our other 575 clinics across the country, both live and virtually.

The FYZICAL Resident will also have an opportunity to apprentice under Gavin Hamer, the Director of our Residency program, as they gain the skills to eventually create and deliver their own CEU-approved courses to the therapists in these clinics. 

 

Answer: As an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist myself, I recognized the value that a Residency program could provide for the FYZICAL system.

 

I worked closely with Gavin and members of the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education in the design and development of the program. I am extremely proud of the fact that we were approved by the board on January 20th, 2021 and that the program continues to grow. It has proven to be a great tool for recruitment and retention as well as professional development of the therapists in our system. Our goal is to continue to grow this program and make it available to more and more of our franchise partners. 

 

To learn more about the FYZICAL Orthopedic Clinical Residency Program, send us an e-mail at: Residency@FYZICAL.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers

FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers stands at the forefront of the health and wellness industry as the nation's fastest-growing physical therapy franchise, boasting an extensive network of over 600 locations that span across 46 states. Committed to a holistic approach, FYZICAL provides top-notch, personalized care plans to treat patients of all ages experiencing muscle, joint, and neurological conditions, including balance and vestibular issues. For more information about FYZICAL or to find the nearest location, visit fyzical.com.