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Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy

The residency program in neurologic physical therapy is a cooperative effort between the University of Mississippi Medical Center, UMMC School of Health Related Professions, UMMC outpatient services, and Methodist Rehabilitation Center (inpatient rehab and outpatient services). The residency program is 12 months in duration, beginning in early August and ending in late July of the following year.

The resident is a full-time employee of UMMC and receives a competitive salary with a full benefits package. There are no tuition costs required of the resident.

The residency is accredited by:

The American Physical Therapy Association, American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE)
3030 Potomac Ave., Suite 100
Alexandria, VA 22305-3085
Phone: (703)-706-3136
Fax: (703)-706-8186
Email: resfel@apta.org 

The program will prepare the resident to sit for the Neurologic Clinical Specialist examination offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Click here for more information concerning specialty examination. 

Program Outcomes

The residency program in neurologic physical therapy demonstrates:

• 100% graduation rate 
• Twelve of fourteen graduates eligible to sit for the Neurologic Clinical Specialist examination have achieved a passing score. The most recent graduate will sit for the exam in the spring of 2026; score to be received by July of 2026. The current resident is anticipated to sit for the exam in the spring of 2027.

Resident Experiences

The neurologic resident's experiences include:

• Clinical experiences in:
  • Inpatient acute care, Level 1 academic medical center - focus on treatment of patients in acute care, ICU, and specialty clinic settings.
  • Inpatient rehabilitation (CARF-accredited) - focus on examination and treatment of patients with stroke, brain injury, and spinal cord injury, among other neurologic conditions.
  • Outpatient physical therapy – participation in neurologic PT services with potential to participate in aquatic rehabilitation, LSVT BIG, vestibular rehabilitation, usage of specialty tech (i.e., ZeroG Dynamic Gait & Balance System).
  • Outpatient specialty clinics - including diagnostic-specific clinics and a wheelchair seating and positioning clinic.
  • Specialty areas of community practice - the resident participates with a student run community free clinic for patients with little to no funding throughout the resident year.
• Participation in:
  • Interdisciplinary patient care across the continuum of care.
  • Educational offerings and learning experiences through UMMC and its departments.
  • Collaborative practice with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, nurses and other members of the health care team.
  • Individualized didactic instruction.
  • Laboratory teaching assistance in an accredited entry-level physical therapist education program in  coursework focusing on the examination and treatment of patients with neurologic diagnoses.
  • Community service activities.
  • Presentations to students, community members, and professional staff.
  • Development of a research project with opportunities to participate in other existing studies.

Application

Applications for the residency are accepted from early November through early February prior to the beginning of the residency in August.  Experienced physical therapists and new graduates are both encouraged to apply. The residency accepts applications through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS). Visit the RF-PTCAS site for specifics on required application materials and to begin the application process.

For More Information

For questions regarding this residency program, contact:

Jacob G. Long, PT, DPT, NCS
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy (NCS)
Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy
Director, Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy

School of Health Related Professions
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N. State St.
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 984-6354

UMMC offers equal opportunity in education and employment, M/F/D/V.