Question 1

Who is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT)?

Accepted Answer

"Fellow" status in the AAOMPT is both a membership classification and a professional credential. As a professional credential, a "Fellow" in AAOMPT is international recognition of competence and expertise in the practice of orthopaedic manual physical therapy by a physical therapist licensed in the USA. To achieve the Fellow credential, a physical therapist must complete a credentialed fellowship program in orthopaedic manual physical therapy or demonstrate the equivalent level of competence by successfully passing a portfolio review process for fellowship renewal. The "Fellow" is a physical therapist who has demonstrated advanced clinical, analytical, and hands-on skills in the treatment of musculoskeletal (orthopaedic) disorders. Fellows serve their patients and the public by demonstrating excellence in clinical practice, education, and research. For more information on the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists visit their website at www.aaompt.org.

Question 2

How many hours are spent in guided clinical mentoring?

Accepted Answer

Our Fellows in Training (FiTs) complete 150 hours of one-on-one clinical mentoring with an AAOMPT fellow.  ASPIRE OMT offers over 30 Clinical Fellowship Instructors (CFI’s) who all possess the FAAOMPT status, as well as demonstrated proficiency ineffective leadership and mentoring in order to provide our FITs with meaningful mentorship experiences.  Mentors must be FAAOMPTs and be licensed in the USA, and we must establish a clinic agreement with them prior to onsite mentorship. Clinical supervision is defined as on-site, one-on-one instructor supervision of the Fellow in training while actively engaged in patient/client management. The Fellow in training must serve as the primary clinician responsible for the patient’s care for a minimum of 75 of the 150 hours. The remaining hours may be devoted to the observation of the instructor providing care to the instructor’s patient(s) and/or discussion with the instructor on patient/client management. It is the responsibility of the Fellows in training to arrange state licensure, travel, accommodations, etc., when engaged in practice at these facilities. Each CFI is trained by ASPIRE OMT’s senior faculty in effective mentorship techniques and strategies and is evaluated regularly and acts as an independent contractor to the FITs.  The reimbursement for guided 1:1 mentorship is between the FITs and CFIs and does not include ASPIRE OMT.

Program Overview:

Mission Statement:

Why ASPIRE OMT?

Admission Requirements:

A physical therapist in good standing with a physical therapy license to practice in the US.

A minimum of one year (2000 hours) of orthopaedic physical therapy clinical experience

Demonstrate proof of individual personal malpractice/liability insurance coverage with a professional consulting liability rider.

And one of the following:

The candidate will have successfully passed all of ASPIRE OMT’s COMT level courses, or equivalent courses (including post-course exams and the oral comprehensive exam)

ASPIRE OMT Fellowship is a three year clinical fellowship program taught by -recognizable and experienced faculty within the OMT profession. Many of have taught in both a Fellowship Program and university program and have experience in teaching, mentoring, and guest lecturing internationally.

Through completion of ASPIRE OMT Fellowship, the fellow-in-training will . . . .

demonstrate critical thinking and evidence informed practice for the management of patients with pain and neuromuscular impairments;

apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, behavior science, and biomechanics to evaluate, tree, modify and progress treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunctions;

apply advanced clinical reasoning throughout the assessment and management in OMPT to appropriately manage complex patients with neuromusculoskeletal impairments;

demonstrate advanced communication skills with clients and/or professional colleagues, including: effective use of active listening skills, questioning strategies, interpersonal skills and other verbal/non-verbal communication skills when providing safe and effective OMPT patient centered care;

demonstrate an advanced level of practical skills utilizing precision and specificity of techniques, enabling effective assessment and management to enable safe and effective practice within orthopaedic manual therapy;

demonstrate continued clinical expertise and leadership in OMT and commitment to the professional development within orthopaedic manual therapy;

demonstrate an understanding and application of the process of research within orthopaedic manual therapy.

Program Design & Curriculum:

ASPIRE OMT Fellowship will utilize a hybrid approach where clinical and academic curricular activities are performed in-person as well as virtual (synchronous & asynchronous).

Accredited Fellowship Programs require participants to:

complete a minimum of 1,000 total program hours:

200 theory

160 practical educational hours

450 patient-care clinic hours inclusive of 150 hours of 1:1 mentoring throughout the program.

At least 75 of the 150 mentoring hours must be in-person (1:1)

The participant is the primary patient/client care provider for 75 of the minimum 150 mentoring hours.

The remaining mentoring hours may occur in person or using synchronous or asynchronous methodologies.

Total Aspire Fellowship Program Hours (1,311):

850 Hours - Educational Curriculum

700 Hours - Clinical Practice with FAAOMPT Mentor Consultation Available

150 Hours - One-on-One Patient Care Mentoring with FAAOMPT Mentor

461 Hours - Clinical Curriculum

21 Hours - SMT-1 Integrated Evaluation and Management of the Thorax

30 Hours - Evidence Based Research in OMT

42 Hours - SMT-2 Integrated Evaluation and Management of the Lower Quadrant

45 Hours - Leadership and Mentorship in OMT

30 Hours - Application of OMT Clinical Research

42 Hours - SMT-3 Integrated Evaluation and Management of the Upper Quadrant

30 Hours - Professional Communication and Consulting in OMT

30 Hours - Neuromuscular Reeducation and Therapeutic Exercise for OMT

42 Hours - SMT-4 Spinal Segmental Manipulation, Part A & B

30 Hours - Pain Science and Functional Medicine in OMT

21 Hours - SMT-5 Integrated Advanced Clinical Reasoning

30 Hours - Lifestyle Medicine and Pain Management in OMT

40 Hours - Educational Practical Technique Practice

14 Hours - Lab Assist COMT1 or COMT3

14 Hours - Lab Assist COMT2 or COMT4

​

The Cost of the Aspire Fellowship Program is $8300. This does not include travel, exams, and the cost of the 150 hours of 1:1 mentoring. The cost of the mentoring will be between the mentor and mentee.

Start an Application:

We are accepting Fellowship applications for Spring 2022. Please reach out to us if you have any questions on fellowship: fellowship@aspireomt.com or use the contact us link below.

We are accepting Fellowship applications for Spring 2022.

Please reach out to us if you have any questions on fellowship: fellowship@aspireomt.com or use the contact us link below.