Physical Therapy

The Munroe-Meyer Institute Physical Therapy Department's training activities take place at MMI and in the community.

The department offers clinical education experiences with an emphasis in pediatrics for physical therapy students from a number of local and national schools.

Faculty and Staff Expertise

Our team includes qualified physical therapists who are certified as American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Pediatric Clinical Specialists.

Department staff are credentialed through the American Physical Therapy Association to provide a quality clinical education experience.

Faculty in the department teach entry-level pediatric and specialty pediatric focused course content in the Physical Therapy clinical doctorate program at UNMC. Staff provide community-based training in areas related to pediatric physical therapy and coordinate continuing education.

The department provides educationally related pediatric physical therapy services to more than 800 children in the Omaha and Bellevue school districts.

LEND Clinical Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Clinical Fellowship for physical therapy is a collaborative program between the Munroe-Meyer Institute and the Division of Physical Therapy Education at UNMC.

The LEND Program is a training-focused grant for health care practitioners to work effectively with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Nebraska’s LEND site, MMI provides both clinical and community-based education and training to approximately 35-40 trainees and fellows each year.

Up to three second-year physical therapy students are selected annually to participate.

The program extends over two years with the first year focusing on:

• Interdisciplinary practicum.
• Didactic/self study curriculum.
• Clinical research project.
• Presentation.
• Completion of a community outreach leadership project.

The second year includes a full-time, pediatric clinical rotation at MMI and focuses on the home discipline practicum. A 300-hour trainee commitment for each of the two years is required.

Goals and Objectives

• Participation in didactic interdisciplinary educational experiences to prepare trainees for leadership roles that require fact based decision making.
• Demonstration of proficient, culturally competent, family centered clinical skills (both within their home discipline and interdisciplinary) and the application of a variety of methods of effective partnering with other health care providers.
• Understanding and demonstration of leadership skills by all long term trainees.

Curriculum

The trainee responsibilities can be grouped into five major categories of activities:

• Orientation (40 hours).
• Interdisciplinary Practicum Experience (100 hours).
• Didactic and Self-Study Curriculum (104 hours).
• Projects and Special Activities (202 hours).
• Exit Evaluation Activities (4 hours).

Residency

The mission of the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program is to graduate advanced practitioners into the field of pediatric physical therapy.

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of Residency, practitioners will be equipped to

• Provide excellent clinical care across a wide array of pediatric settings, diagnoses and ages.
• Consider all aspects of best pediatric practice including community integration, cost-effectiveness, and evidenced-based principles of care.
• Incorporate family-centered and culturally competent service delivery as fostered through the “Leadership in Education for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities” Program.
• Contribute to advancement of the profession through critical analyses of literature, development of a clinical case project, and clinical instruction of physical therapy students.
• Advocate for pediatric interests in the community or legislative arenas.
• Achieve recognition for American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Clinical Specialization in Pediatric Physical Therapy.

Clinical Experience

The MMI Department of Physical Therapy provides outpatient, pool, community and home-based physical therapy services for individuals across the lifespan. Services are delivered for NICU patients at the Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Methodist Women’s Hospital.

Clinics Offering Physical Therapy Consult

• Assistive technology for children or adults.
• Autism Care for Toddlers Clinics - MMI, iCASD.
• Early Intervention - MMI, iCASD.
• Severe Behavior Department.
• Tracking Infant Progress Statewide NICU follow-up program.

MMI partners with Children's Nebraska for comprehensive coverage of pediatric diagnostic categories and practice settings. Residents spend seven weeks practicing in the acute care setting at CHMC.

In addition to clinical services, MMI is responsible for entry-level pediatric curricular content and instruction through the Division of Physical Therapy Education at UNMC.

Requirements

Applicants must:

• Have a clinical doctorate from a Commission on Accredited Physical Therapy Education accredited physical therapy education program.
• Be licensed in the state of Nebraska by July 1 of the application year.
• Have prior pediatric experience (new graduates eligible if a clinical internship in pediatrics has been completed).

Application Instructions

Applications are accepted from December 1 through January 31.

1. Apply online through Residency-Fellowship Physical Therapy Central Application System. Create an account in the system, then search for MMI in the Pediatric Program Directory. All submissions should include:
   • Three letters of reference/recommendation.
   • Physical Therapy Program Transcript.
   • Curriculum Vita.
2. Provide a one-page (250 word) personal statement that summarizes your interest in pursuing a pediatric residency position at MMI.
3. Notify both Residency Co-Directors by email of your intention to apply.
4. Optional: Submit original research or publications.