Q: What is the didactic component of the residency program?
A: The majority of the didactic coursework is completed through Neuroconsortium. The Neuroconsortium is a series of 26 webinars and five online lab modules. This is 100% remote learning. The Neuroconsortium also offers journal club and on demand “library content” webinars. The following mission statement is taken from the Neuroconsortium website:

Mission of Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Consortium

• Promote the development of Neurologic Physical Therapy Clinical Education throughout the United States by offering a didactic education series that assists in preparation for specialty certification in Neurologic Physical Therapy.
• Promote the development of Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency Programs by offering the classroom/laboratory education that fulfills the didactic component of APTA residency credentialing requirements.

Q: Are there research opportunities?
A: Yes, there are opportunities for the resident to be involved in research. The UW Health Neurologic Residency does not have requirements for the resident to complete research. The faculty through UW Health and UW–Madison Physical Therapy Program can help connect the resident with research opportunities that are of interest to the resident.

Q: How much time is spent at each of the clinical locations?
A: The resident will start at University Hospital in acute care neuro for 17 weeks. The resident then spends 18 weeks in inpatient rehab at the UW Health Rehabilitation Hospital. The resident concludes 18 weeks in outpatient neuro/vestibular clinic for 18 weeks.

Q: Will the resident be involved with the physical therapy program through UW–Madison?
A: The resident will assist in neuro labs at the UW–Madison Physical Therapy Program. The resident will also give at least one lecture for the students at the PT school.

Q: Are any continuing education courses covered as part of the residency program?
A: The resident will be supported to attend Combined Sections Meeting.

Q: What is the structure of mentoring?
A: The resident is scheduled for two 2-hour sessions of one-on-one mentoring per week (total of 4 hours per week). The mentoring sessions involve discussion before and after a patient session. More information regarding mentoring will be provided to the applicants on the interview day.

The University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Neurologic PT Residency develops neurologic physical therapists who are specialists and leaders in neurologic physical therapy in the areas of clinical practice, research, education and community service.

Program in numbers

• Graduation rate: 100%
• Program graduates: 3 graduates
• First-time NCS pass rate: N/A, program recently accredited (2024)

• An annual stipend, paid on a bi-weekly basis.
• Comprehensive health insurance coverage including basic dental and vision.
• Employee Reimbursement Account: Pre-tax deductions made for reimbursement of approved medical and dependent care expenses.
• Additional benefits include life insurance, tax-sheltered annuity and deferred compensation.
• Paid leave time to include 11½ personal days (which includes vacation, continuing education and sick time), as well as eight holidays.
• Full access to the University of Wisconsin-Madison recreation, education and cultural facilities.

All applications are submitted through APTA’s Residency Fellowship-Physical Therapist Centralized Application Services (RF-PTCAS).

Applications are accepted from Oct. 1 to Dec. 1.

Applications must include:

• Current resume/CV
• Responses to the following questions in RF-PTCAS:
• What does the applicant wish to gain through participation in a neurologic residency?
• Why did you choose to apply to the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Neurologic PT Residency?
• What aspects of your background and professional experience qualify you for participation in a neurologic physical residency program?
• What are your future plans regarding neurologic physical therapy and physical therapy in general?
• Three letters of reference

Candidates for the Neurologic Physical Therapist Residency Program must meet the following criteria:

• Be a graduate of a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
• Be eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in the state of Wisconsin
• Obtain NPI number prior to starting the residency program
• Hold a current CPR certification
• New grads should take the NBPT Exam no later than April in order to be eligible to start the program in July

University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Neurologic PT Residency is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists in neurology. It is a full-time, one-year program that begins in July and continues through June of the following year. The program accepts one resident per year.

Our mission

The mission of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Neurologic PT Residency is to provide evidence-based, post professional education and clinical training to develop specialists and leaders in neurologic physical therapy in the areas of clinical practice, research, education, and community service. The program will foster an environment of continuous improvement and strategic  initiatives to ensure a strong neurologic residency.

About the neurologic physical therapy residency

Residents provide patient care 32 hours per week, including at least three hours per week with a faculty mentor who guides the resident to a higher level of critical thinking and skills for PT care of patients with neurologic diagnoses. In addition, at least six hours per week are dedicated to educational experiences, including didactic instruction, assisting in neurologic labs and lectures at the University of Wisconsin Physical Therapy School and other relevant learning opportunities.

The residency includes work experiences in three different settings:  Neuro acute care including ICU at a Level I Trauma Center, a CARF-accredited inpatient rehabilitation facility and an outpatient neurologic and vestibular clinic.

Residents are compensated for the hours spent providing patient care. In addition, residents receive a benefit package that includes health insurance. 

Neurologic physical therapy residency curriculum

The curriculum is based on the Neurologic Physical Therapy Description of Specialty Practice. The didactic component will take place two hours per week and utilize the Neuro Consortium series of webinars and journal club.  In addition, residents will benefit from the wealth of clinical resources available at UW Hospitals and Clinics and will have the opportunity to work closely with an excellent staff of medical practitioners who serve the needs of the neuro patient population.

Sarah Jones, Program Director
SJones4@uwhealth.org

Catharine Relation, Program Coordinator
crelation@uwhealth.org

Recruitment Center
UW Health Human Resources
(608) 263-6500
Contact Human Resources