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Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Physical Therapy Residency Program

The UT Southwestern Medical Center Department of Physical Therapy in conjunction with Clements University Hospital offers a one-year Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Physical Therapy Residency that is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association as a post-professional residency program for physical therapists specializing in cardiovascular and pulmonary patient care. The program is designed in the spirit of APTA’s vision, which calls for post-professional development of expert clinicians who meaningfully contribute to patient recovery through the delivery of team-based healthcare, innovative rehabilitative interventions, effective leadership skills, and peer education.

Our residency program is ideal for licensed physical therapists who are motivated to achieve a higher level of training and expertise within an advanced medical system and specialized team-based, academic environment. As a resident, you will receive a clinical and didactic experience that will significantly advance your skill and knowledge in the delivery of physical therapy services for patients with cardiovascular and pulmonary dysfunction, critical illness, medical complexity, and those undergoing innovative medical and surgical interventions. This experience will not only improve your clinical performance, but is also designed to develop your leadership skills and to prepare you for future opportunities.

The majority of patient care will occur in the state-of-the-art Clements University Hospital, ranked #1 in DFW by US News & World Report in 2017. Here you will have the opportunity to contribute to specialized patient care within a teaching institution, to learn from some of the brightest providers in their fields, and become incorporated within the medical team. In addition to the comprehensive didactic curriculum, established experiences such as structured leadership training, a variety of medical clinics, pre/post outpatient transplant rehabilitation, surgical observations, research, national and team-based journal clubs, grand rounds, peer-education, and numerous other opportunities available on our campus all contribute to the extensive program. Additionally, our residency program provides insights and experiences for those interested in an academic career as well as intentional connections with other UTSW physical therapy residents and the cardiovascular and pulmonary community at large.

During the program, you will learn from clinical experts with advanced credentials and vast experience. You will provide patient care under the guidance of accomplished mentors and participate in a comprehensive educational curriculum to address all elements of the description of cardiovascular and pulmonary physical therapy practice. In addition to being eligible to sit for the ABPTS Cardiopulmonary Clinical Specialist Exam, completion of this residency program will enhance your clinical skills, leadership training, and problem-solving ability that will place you on the leading edge of our profession.