Neurologic Residency Program Overview

The University of Southern California/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (USC/RLANRC) Clinical Residency Program in Neurologic Physical Therapy is for practicing physical therapist looking to enhance their clinical and professional skills. This program combines the academic resources of a superior physical therapy educational and research institution with the prominent history and clinical expertise of one of the leading national rehabilitation centers.

The mission of the University of Southern California/Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (USC/RLANRC) Clinical residency program in neurologic physical therapy is to graduate advanced practitioners of neurologic physical therapy who will express their education through excellence in the practice and teaching of clinical skills, who will continue to expand the body of knowledge in their specialty by conducting and publishing clinical research and who will make a lasting contribution to their local and professional community.

Movement dysfunction specialists in neurologic therapy will gain a foundation for neurologic practice in the theoretical underpinnings of neurologic PT practice. The neurologic PT practice includes neuroscience, motor control and learning; motivation and behavior change, building upon that through evidence-based practice. Program graduates will be knowledgeable and skilled in medical and physical therapy differential diagnosis, prognostic and etiological insights, and an orientation focused on outcomes assessment leading to efficient and effective physical therapy interventions and optimal patient outcomes, including enhanced quality of life and mitigation.

Residency graduates will be able to demonstrate skill in the assessment and treatment of adults with neurologic dysfunction at any level in the neuraxis (peripheral nerve to cortex) with a stable degenerative condition between acute or chronic stages of the disease process. The program will lead to competence in populations commonly seen in acute or outpatient rehabilitation, providing exposure to pediatric populations, intensive care neurologic populations, and community-support services to chronic populations not actively receiving reimbursed care.

Residency program goals will be achieved through a combination of formal and informal educational methods and roles including:

• Direct care provision, as well as mentored clinical practice at one of our two sites: Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center or USC Physical Therapy Associates. Clinical mentors include USC neurologic PT faculty and Rancho neurologic clinical specialists.
• Mentoring by USC physician neurologists via care provision in specialty clinics of the Division of Neurology at USC.
• Participation as teaching assistants in courses addressing neurologic content and skills in USC's Entry-Level Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
• Enrollment in coursework within the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy’s Continuing Education Department (e.g., Neurological Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Intervention).
• Preparation of a case report or scholarly paper for presentation at a Grand Rounds Presentation.

Why Should I Come to USC?
“The neuro-residency program is very encompassing. As a resident, I taught components of neuroanatomy and patient care labs, studied neurologic differential diagnosis and neuroradiology, researched neurologic literature, and evaluated and treated patients with neurologic disorders. I found the opportunity for increasing my didactic knowledge, while simultaneously applying concepts in the clinic was very beneficial for learning and enhancing the care I provide to my patients. In addition, the affiliation with a well-established rehabilitation hospital such as Rancho Los Amigos provides the opportunity to practice under the guidance of very bright and experienced neurologic clinical specialists. I would highly recommend this program to anyone considering pursuing a career in neurologic physical therapy.”

– Bernadette Currier - Neurologic Physical Therapy Resident, Class of 2004