2026 Sports Residency Program - Physical Therapist

2026 Sports Residency Program - Physical Therapist

At Olympic Sports & Spine, patients are our priority. Our commitment is One-on-One care, unrivaled educational opportunities, a culture of learning and a place where employees thrive. We have been dedicated to the community and providing clinical excellence and care since 1984.

Local Roots. Local Ownership. Local Commitment.

Sports Residency Program Overview & Mission

Olympic Sports & Spine's Sports Residency is an 18-month clinical residency program that is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education (ABPTRFE) through the American Physical Therapy Association. The mission of the residency program is to elevate a physical therapist's competency and enhance patient centered care within the specialty practice area of sports physical therapy.

The residency is characterized by advanced clinical education, principles of evidence informed practice, and processes of clinical reasoning. The clinical and academic curriculum is designed for residents to become a certified orthopaedic manual therapist (COMT) and a Certified Dry Needling Specialist (CDNS) through AspireOMT, a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through National Strength and Conditioning Association and prepare for sports board certification through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties.

A new cohort begins on September 1st of each year.

Curriculum Summary

The sports residency curriculum is intentionally structured to support progressive professional development through an integrated sequence of clinical and educational experiences. The clinical curriculum includes advanced patient care, a minimum of 150 hours of one-on-one clinical mentorship during direct patient care, 200 hours of athletic venue coverage, and supervised experience serving as a clinical instructor for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) intern.

The educational curriculum consists of a minimum of 126 hours of Certified Orthopaedic Manual Therapist (COMT) training through AspireOMT Institute; 81 hours of dry needling education through AspireOMT Institute; 150 hours of independent study utilizing educational content developed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association; and 200 hours of asynchronous online coursework delivered by sports physical therapy subject-matter experts from across the country.

In addition, residents complete a capstone project aligned with their professional interests. Capstone options include clinical practice improvement, quality improvement initiatives, research and evidence-based practice, education and mentorship, community and public health engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, technology and innovation, and leadership and advocacy.

Schedule Expectations

Residents are employed by Olympic Sports & Spine and are expected to work the weekly hours outlined in their employment contract. A minimum of 150 hours of one-to-one clinical mentorship with a residency eligible mentor is embedded within the resident's patient care schedule across the duration of the program. Educational coursework is completed outside of scheduled clinical hours. Residents should plan to dedicate approximately 10 hours per week to academic learning and related educational activities.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements:

• Graduation from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
• Successful completion of FSBPT's National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE)
• Licensure to practice physical therapy within the state of Washington by the program start date
• Active membership to the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy

Application Process & Questions

For additional information regarding the sports residency program or application process, please contact:

Samantha Gubka View email address on click.appcast.io

New cohorts begin annually on September 1. Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a professional, compliant, and high-integrity workplace, all employment offers at Olympic Sports & Spine are contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background screening. This process may include, but is not limited to, verification of prior employment and education, a credit check (if relevant to the position), criminal history review, and reference checks.

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to this screening process. Please note that any offer of employment will remain conditional until the screening is complete and the results meet the standards set by Olympic Sports & Spine.

Olympic Sports & Spine is an equal opportunity employer and conducts all background screenings in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.