Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency

Department:

Status:

Full time

Benefits Eligible:

Yes

Hours Per Week:

36

Schedule Details/Additional Information:

Please read below about application instructions. Application should be completed through this link: Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) Applicant Login Page

Atrium Health and Carolinas Rehabilitation offer an orthopaedic physical therapy clinical residency program designed to train physical therapists in advanced orthopaedic physical therapy care in an outpatient setting.

The Carolinas Rehabilitation Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Clinical Residency program was the first orthopaedic physical therapy clinical residency program accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) within the state of North Carolina.

We offer three geographical locations to participate in the residency: Charlotte, North Carolina (Carolinas Rehabilitation) Rome, Georgia (Atrium Health Floyd Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation) Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Aurora Health Care) *starting in 2026

Program Description

Carolinas Rehabilitation's orthopedic physical therapy residency is a full-time, one year program. Residents are employed by Atrium Health and receive a program-adjusted salary that includes a full benefits package. Residents provide patient care 36 hours per week, including four hours per week co-treating with a faculty mentor. Weekly lecture and lab sessions as well as directed learning activities will occupy the resident's remaining time. All lectures are live streamed with a faculty member present in all three geographical locations.

The curriculum of this residency program provides advanced training in examination, clinical decision-making, medical management and manual therapy-based orthopedic treatment skills. The curriculum combines didactic learning, mentorship experience and individual study and project completion.

Completion of this program will prepare you for:

• Advanced orthopaedic physical therapy practice
• Orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship
• APTA's OCS examination
• Efficient patient management
• Evidence-based practice

Admission Requirements

• Graduated from a CAPTE-accredited PT program
• New graduates with a demonstrated interest in orthopaedic physical therapy are eligible to apply. Post-entry level clinical experience in outpatient physical therapy is desirable.
• License to practice physical therapy in the state that you are working in: Georgia; North Carolina; or Wisconsin. (Must provide proof of licensure as requirement of employment)
• Active member of the APTA and Orthopedic section
• Must meet all eligibility requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist within Atrium Health
• CPR certification
• Must demonstrate a commitment to learning

Application Portal

• In an effort to simplify the application process for prospective physical therapist (PT) residents as well as to facilitate the admissions process, Carolinas Rehabilitation is participating in the APTA's Residency/Fellowship Physical Therapist Centralized Application Services (RF-PTCAS). RF-PTCAS allows PT residency applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple PT residency/fellowship programs
• Information and instructions on the application process can be found at: Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) Applicant Login Page
• We still have spots open for 2026. We have extended our application deadline to August 31, 2025 and will be doing rolling admissions to fill those open spots. Qualified applicants will be contacted upon receipt of a completed application for a video interview. Accepted applicants will be required to visit an Atrium/Aurora Health location to tour the site and meet with the clinic supervisor. Opportunities exist for accepted applicants to start working this summer or fall prior to the start of the residency program in January 2026.<