Neurological Residencies and the Neurological Clinical Specialty (NCS) - an insider's perspective by Dr. Kerry John, PT, DPT

As the newest member of the [re+active] team, I am excited to join a practice that specializes in serving people with neurological conditions. Because I am passionate about helping people with neurological conditions reach their highest potential, I wanted to specialize in this type of physical therapy. In my journey to specialize in neurological physical therapy, I completed a neurological residency program and I am studying for the neurological specialty exam.

Neurological Residency

I am often asked why I completed a neurological residency program since it is not required for physical therapists. Typically, people associate residencies with training for those people who are getting their medical doctorate; however, the profession of physical therapy has adopted the concept in order to train physical therapists in a specialty area. The specialty areas include: neurology, geriatrics, cardio pulmonary, orthopedics, pediatrics, sports physical therapy, women’s health, and wound care management. All residents have a minimum of 1,500 hours and in no fewer than 9 months and no more than 36 months. They also must have a minimum of 150 hours of 1:1 mentoring and 75 hours of didactic instruction over the course of the program. Out of the 157 credentialed programs, 24 are for neurological physical therapy.

Some physical therapists decide to do a residency right after they graduate from physical therapy school. I, on the other hand, chose to do a residency after working for a couple years to get some clinical experience. I felt it was helpful to have clinical experience to build upon in the residency. Either way, a residency program will challenge your current skill level and push you to make you a better clinician in the area of focus.

The training I received at University of Southern California and Rancho Los Amigos  (USC/RLANRC) for the residency was invaluable to my practice as a physical therapist. Although all residencies have some basic elements described above, they all have unique features. The USC/RLANRC offered mentorship in clinical practice, teaching, and research. We also received advanced clinical education training in topics of neurology and rounded with physicians who see people with motor neuron disorders, Multiple Sclerosis and Movement disorders. The residency helped shaped my critical thinking skills with people who have had a neurological injury.

Neurological Clinical Specialty (NCS)

Most people who have completed a residency program will also study for a specialty board exam in that area. For me, this is the neurological clinical specialty exam (NCS).

To be a board certified neurologic clinical specialist, you must:

1.              Have completed a residency program or show evidence that you have had of a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in the specialty area, 25% of which must have occurred within the last 3 years.

2.              Pass the Neurological Clinical Examination

Since I completed the neurological residency in August, I am currently studying for the clinical specialty exam.

Passing a specialty exam demonstrates advanced clinical knowledge and skills in physical therapy specialty areas. For the neurological clinical specialty exam, there are over 120 articles and textbooks on the reading list to study. Although there is a lot of material to study, it is giving me a chance to review all of the research and evidence based information for people with neurological conditions.

Studying and sitting for the exam has two main purposes for me:

1.     To review the literature to offer the best evidence based examinations and treatments to my patients.

2.     To demonstrate to my patients and other physical therapists that I have expertise in the area of neurological physical therapy.

There are only 1,260 physical therapists with this clinical specialty. After passing the exam, you have the letters “NCS” included in your credentials. Julie, Erin and Alex have all passed this exam and are board certified neurologic clinical specialists. This means [re-active] has a remarkable team of neurological specialists. I am hoping to join them in this accomplishment soon! Wish me luck in my studies!

by Dr. Kerry John, PT, DPT

www.reactivept.com