Residency Program in Pediatric Physical Therapy

The residency program in pediatric physical therapy is a cooperative effort between the University of Mississippi Medical Center, UMMC School of Health Related Professions, University Hospitals and Clinics, Hinds County School District, Performance Therapy, Brandon, and other sites.  The residency program is 12 months in duration, beginning in early August and ending in early August of the following year.

The resident is a full-time employee of UMMC and receives a competitive salary and a full benefits package. There is no tuition cost.

The residency is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association, American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE), 1111 N. Fairfax, St., Alexandria, VA 22314-1488. Phone: (703)706-8186. Email: resfel@apta.org 

The program prepares the resident to take the Pediatric Clinical Specialty examination (PCS) offered by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS). Click here for more information concerning specialty examination.

Program outcomes

The residency program in pediatric physical therapy demonstrates:

• 100% graduation rate 
• Three of the four graduates eligible to sit for the Pediatric Clinical Specialty (PCS) exam achieved a passing score.  Our fifth resident is scheduled to sit in March 2025.  

Resident experience

The pediatric resident's experience includes:

• Clinical experiences in:
  • Early Intervention, focusing on the treatment of children from birth to three years of age in their natural environments such as homes and daycares.
  • School setting, with a focus on physical therapy as a related service helping children to maximize their functioning in the academic setting.
  • Inpatient acute care, Level 1 academic teaching hospital with a focus on treatment of patients in acute care and PICU including participation in rounds.
  • Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); Level IV NICU with a focus on specialized medical treatment for extremely premature babies with less than 28 weeks gestation, premature babies with less than 37 weeks gestation; those with a low birth weight of less than 2,500 grams; and babies with severe health problems, such as respiratory distress, chromosomal or metabolic disorders, congenital defects or infection.
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation, focusing on treatment of diagnoses that require intensive therapy such as traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.
  • Hospital outpatient physical therapy, focused on individualized pediatric physical therapy treatment with participation in wheelchair seating and positioning, and assistive technology.
  • Outpatient specialty clinics such as muscular dystrophy and high risk.
  • Specialty areas of community practice, including aquatic rehabilitation, pediatric weight management, and pediatric pain management.
• Participating in:
  • Interdisciplinary patient care
  • Educational offerings and learning experiences through UMMC and its departments
  • Collaborative practice with physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language pathologists, nurses and all other members of the health care team
  • Individualized didactic instruction
  • Laboratory teaching assistance in an accredited entry-level physical therapist education program in a course/courses focusing on the examination and treatment of patients with neurologic diagnoses.
  • Community service activities
  • Presentations to students, community members, and professional staff

Application

Applications for the residency are accepted from October through February, prior to the beginning of the residency in early August.  Experienced physical therapists and new graduates are encouraged to apply. The residency accepts applications through the centralized application service for residency/fellowship education (RF-PTCAS). Visit the RF-PTCAS site for specifics on required application materials and to begin the application process.

View the ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet for 2024-2025.

For more information

For questions regarding this residency program, contact:

Alyssa Bradford, PT, DPT
Board Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy
Director, Residency Program in Pediatric Physical Therapy
Assistant Professor

Department of Physical Therapy
School of Health Related Professions
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 N. State St.
Jackson, MS 39216
(601) 815-4037

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