Orthopedic Residency

STAR Physical Therapy offers an orthopedic residency program in collaboration with The Jackson Clinics (TJC) in Northern Virginia. The TJC orthopedic residency program has been accredited since 2009 and continues to grow as seen by the extension and partnership with STAR Physical Therapy. “Education is the Difference” is a mindset that both TJC and STAR share to fulfill our mission of pursuing clinical excellence and creating “Great Mechanics of the Human Body”. We know that being a part of a passionate learning community can foster a fun and effective trajectory for becoming experts in our field of medicine.

What are the components of the Orthopedic Residency Program?

1. Mentoring: 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship with seasoned mentors who have extensive training and often hold multiple certifications alluding to the standard of excellence STAR Physical Therapy upholds.
2. Didactic: 200+ hours of blended learning content through virtual coursework and 12 days of live lab intensives. We utilize regular virtual meetings held on a world-class distance learning platform. Live coursework is supplemented by one-on-one mentorship, physician shadowing, journal club, and skills checks.
3. Physician Shadowing: Spend 24 hours with various orthopedic specialists, including surgical and nonsurgical.
4. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): EBP is reinforced through the application of knowledge through mentorship, class participation, and preparation for the OCS exam.
5. Teaching: Residents are required to serve as clinical instructors (CIs) and mentor students to give back to our profession. This also follows our mission “To Serve” while promoting lifelong learning of see one, do one, teach one.
6. Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS): The residency also offers guided preparation for clinicians wishing to conclude the residency by becoming board-certified in orthopedics through the American Physical Therapy Academy (APTA). Click here to read more on becoming an OCS.

Orthopedic Residency Testimonials:

 “The orthopedic residency program transitioned me from a novice new graduate into a confident orthopedic specialized clinician. Being able to successfully complete the program and earn an OCS certification helps show my dedication to better myself within this profession.

I took the residency program to help build my clinical foundation and because I was approached by multiple therapists having 30+ years of experience who were telling me they would have completed it if they were in my shoes and given the opportunity.

I really liked the residency program because I was able to work alongside multiple therapists and pick up pearls that each of them offered and add to my own skillset. This program will forever be essential for my development into the therapist I am now and the one I will continue to become.” – Max R.

“The orthopedic residency program has increased my confidence as a new grad therapist immensely. I would recommend any new grad who really wants to better themselves clinically look into applying for the residency program.” – Easton M.

“Participating in the orthopedic residency program has pushed me to become a better clinician, with more efficiency and more confidence in my abilities as if I have been treating for many years longer than I actually have. It has also given me a stronger skillset to treat more complex cases efficiently as well as broaden my range of skills.” – Mike P.

 “My orthopedic residency experience has been transformational as it has broadened my perspective, effectiveness, and the depth of knowledge to treat my patients. I joined the residency to advance my skill set and have found that my entire practice has improved and my methods and thinking have grown in unexpected ways. This experience has been rigorous and well worth the effort.” – Jon L.

 “I wanted to do the orthopedic residency program to better my hands-on skillset and work with the mentors to learn from their various backgrounds and approaches to physical therapy. I have gained so much confidence in the way I treat and added many skills to my toolbox that would have taken years to learn. It seemed intimidating at first, but every day I see something implemented into my treatments that I have taken away from the residency program.” – Cody B.