Orthopedic Residency

In partnership with OSF Rehabilitation, Bradley's orthopedic residency program provides physical therapists with advanced knowledge and skill in a concentrated clinical environment.

Recognized as a credentialed post-professional clinical residency program by the American Physical Therapy Association, the curriculum offers you advanced training in examination, clinical decision-making and treatment skills.

Preparing You For Success

As a resident, your experience includes:

• A 13-month program; Each cohort for the orthopedic program begins in June, with completion in July of the following year.
• Practicing full time (32-hour workweek) at one of three approved locations in the OSF Rehabilitation network (Peoria, Bloomington or Pontiac)
• Eligibility for full benefits as employees of OSF Rehabilitation
• 1:1 Clinical Mentoring = 200 hrs.; Clinical mentoring will occur within your practice setting, with at least four (4) hours devoted to one-on-one mentoring each week with primary OCS mentors.
• Classroom Learning (didactic and psychomotor) = 400 hrs.
• Supervised Clinical Practice = 1400 hrs.
• Total Hours = 1600+ hrs.

Making Your Mark

All of Bradley's DPT students are working in the field within six months of graduation, providing patient care in settings ranging from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities to private practices. The program boasts a graduation rate since 2015 of 100% and an 88.9% pass rate on the Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Specialty Exam.

Application and Selection Process

All applications for the Bradley University Orthopedic Residency will be submitted using the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application System (RF-PTCAS). You can access additional information and tutorials regarding the use of the RF-PTCAS through the ABPTRFE website.

Application requirements:

1. The applicant must have recently graduated or planned to graduate from an accredited DPT program in the current academic year.
2. Licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Illinois
3. APTA and AOPT membership
4. CPR certification
5. Three letters of reference — at least one academic and one from a physical therapist who has supervised your clinical performance

The strongest applicant demonstrates the following:

1. Substantial academic achievement in coursework related to orthopedics
2. Advanced verbal and written communication skills
3. Strong orthopedic clinical internships and mentorship
4. Research experience and interest
5. Alignment with the mission and goals of Bradley University and OSF Rehabilitation organization (Peoria, Ill.)

Residency Program Cost: $500

The application deadline is January 31st.

Applicants must be available to participate in interviews scheduled by OSF Rehabilitation.

The director of the program is Joseph Kelly, PT, Ph.D., OCS.