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Parkview Health Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency

Advance your career in neurologic physical therapy

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The Parkview Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program is a 13-month clinical residency that begins in June of each year. The program is designed to facilitate a well-rounded experience treating patients with neurologic conditions across the continuum of care. Each resident will do rotations in acute care, ICU, inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab. Each resident will have the opportunity to participate in several interdisciplinary specialty clinics including Parkview Health’s Fall Prevention Clinic, Concussion Clinic, Amputee Clinic, ALS Clinic, and Movement Disorders Clinic with neurologists, ATPs, OTs, SLPs and pharmacists. The resident will have the opportunity to become certified in performing ASIA assessments.

Parkview provides services to patients with a wide range of neurologic diagnoses. The residency mentor staff includes therapists with multiple specialty certifications including Board Certified Neurologic Clinical Specialists, NDT Certified therapists, Certified Stroke Rehabilitation Specialists, Certified Brain Injury Specialists, LSVT Certified therapists, ASIA Certified therapists, as well as staff devoted to clinical education. The Parkview Neurologic Physical Therapy program is an ABPTRFE-accredited residency.

Program goals
  • The Parkview Health Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program supports the mission of Parkview Health.
  • The Parkview Health Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency program maintains ABPTRFE accreditation.
  • The program is sustainable while providing high quality education.
  • Residents are provided with exceptional didactic and clinical learning experiences.
  • Residents demonstrate proficiency in knowledge and skill required for a specialist clinically practicing in neurologic physical therapy.
  • Residents will successfully become leaders who contribute to the profession of neurologic physical therapy.
Curriculum

Courses for the program will include:

  • Foundations of Neurologic Residency
  • Professional Roles & Responsibilities
  • ICUniversity
  • CVA Skills Lab Acute
  • Managing Acute SCI
  • ASIA lecture
  • ASIA Certification Course
  • Blood Flow Restriction
  • Pharmacology for the Neurologic Physical Therapist
  • TBI Skills Lab (Acute)
  • Motor Learning Theories and Clinical Application
  • Motor Learning in Neurologic Populations
  • Pathophysiology and Plasticity in Neurologic Conditions
  • Cognitive Impairments: Executive Function
  • SCI Skills Lab (Acute)
  • Intro to Acute/IRF Vestibular Rehab
  • Critical Illness Myopathy
  • Care for Patients with Amputation
  • Guillain-Barre Assessment & Rehabilitation
  • Disorders of Consciousness
  • Spasticity Management
  • Neurologic Outcome Measures
  • Serial Casting lecture & lab
  • Neuroanatomy/Cranial Nerves/Peripheral Neuropathy/Nerve Injuries
  • Functional Neurologic Disorder
  • CVA Skills Lab Rehab
  • TBI Skills Lab Rehab
  • Custom Seating and Positioning
  • SCI Skills Lab Rehab
  • High Intensity Gait
  • Inpatient Rehab Billing and Coding
  • Principles of Research and Clinical Applications
  • Orthotics
  • Prosthetics
  • Advanced Physical Therapy Examination of Clients with Parkinson’s Disease
  • Advanced Physical Therapy Management of Individuals with Parkinson’s Symptoms
  • Clinical Management of Cerebellar Dysfunction
  • Advanced Physical Therapy Examination of Individuals with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
  • Outpatient Rehab Billing & Coding: Medicare for Dummies
  • Concussion testing and management
  • Concussion Evaluation and Rehabilitation
  • CVA/TBI OP Skills Lab
  • SCI OP Skills lab
  • Bowel, Bladder & Sexual Function
  • Intro to OP Vestibular Rehab
  • Gait Assessment & Advanced Rehabilitation
  • Physical Therapy Management of MS
  • COVID‐19 Long Haulers Assessment & Rehabilitation
  • Advanced Physical Therapy Examination of Clients with Huntington’s Disease
  • Advanced Physical Therapy Management of Individuals with Huntington’s Disease
  • Neurologic Rehabilitation of the Pediatric Population
Program start and end dates

The Parkview Health Neurologic Physical Residency program begins in June of each year and ends in July of the following year, running for 13 months.

Eligibility requirements

Parkview Health Neurologic Physical Therapy applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program.
  • Licensure in Indiana as a registered physical therapist by start date.
  • Completion of all pre-hire requirements (criminal background check, drug testing, etc.) per Human Resources deadline.
  • Applicants must have earned their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or be in the final year of completing their DPT. Upon completion of the residency, the candidate will then meet the requirements to take the NCS exam.
Resident expectations
  • Complete or renew and maintain Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support certification. This certification is provided by Parkview.
  • Maintain current membership status in the APTA.
  • Assist in the recruitment and selection process of residents for the following year.
  • Maintain documentation of all required residency activities and evaluations and provide a copy of this documentation prior to receiving the Residency Certificate at the end of the year.
  • Work 32 clinical hours per week of paid time.
Salary and benefits
  • Accepted residents will receive financial compensation and benefits equivalent to a 0.8 full-time employee.
  • Didactic course work, optional and integrated learning opportunities will be unpaid time.
Tuition and other costs

While there is no tuition cost, learning materials and the cost of transportation is the responsibility of the resident. Parkview Health does not provide any financial aid or stipends to the resident. 

Application deadline

RFPTCAS applications open Oct. 1 of each year and close on March 1.

Selection process

Applicants are required to complete an online application. Final candidates will be chosen to participate in an interview.

Program staff

Christopher Rakoczy PT, DPT
Board-Certified Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Clinical Specialist
Rehab Therapy Manager and Residency Director

Nicole Walter, MPT, CSRS, CBIS
Board-Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist
Program Coordinator

Alyssa Keys, PT, DPT
Board-Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist
Residency Clinical Mentor

Ellen Eckhart, PT, DPT
Board-Certified Neurological Clinical Specialist
Residency Clinical Mentor

LeAnn Pancake, PT, MPT
Certified Brain Injury Specialist
ASIA-Credentialed
CI-Credentialed
Residency Clinical Mentor

Coleen Harmon, PT, CBIS
Clinical Educator, Inpatient Therapies at Randallia

Jennifer Mullins, PT, SCCE, CSRS, CBIS
Residency Clinical Mentor

Kelly Voltz PT, DPT, CSRS, CBIS
Residency Clinical Mentor

Elisha Hardesty PT, DPT
Residency Clinical Mentor

Amy Wilder, MS, PT, CBIS
Residency Clinical Mentor

Ross Nelson, PT, DPT, CSRS
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy
Residency Clinical Mentor

Dustin Winfree, PT, DPT, CSRS
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Courtney McPheters, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy

Program results

As of July, 2023, the Parkview Health Neurologic Rehabilitation residency program has a 100% first time pass rate on the neurologic specialty exam and a 100% graduation rate.

Apply today

Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency applications are open Oct. 1 to March 1.

Apply online today

For more information

Contact us for more information about our Neurologic Physical Therapy Residency.

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