The MIUSA Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy
Fellowship Program
The McKenzie Institute USA Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Fellowship Program is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association and the Accreditation Council on Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy Education (ACOMPTE) as a post-professional fellowship program for physical therapists in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy.
The program commenced in May 2008 to further the education of physical therapists in MDT/OMPT practice and research in the United States and was reaccredited in 2014 for ten years by the APTA ABPTRFE. While our curriculum is continuously updated to meet current IFOMPT standards, Robin McKenzie wrote a letter of endorsement in 2008 for the original curriculum, which we remain quite proud of to this day.
A collaborative effort between several educational institutions and health systems, the purpose of the program is to give the Fellow candidate advanced training in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) and Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy (OMPT) while continuing their clinical practice. Continuing clinical practice will make the training immediately applicable, thereby allowing for improved retention of information as well as manual skill implementation.
Program Outcomes
The anticipated outcomes for those completing the fellowship program are:
- Development of high-level clinical reasoning and psychomotor skills in MDT/OMPT.
- Eligibility to apply for Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (AAOMPT).
- Recognition of Fellowship training by the ACOMPTE and APTA.
The following are notable achievements of the program graduates:
- 26 have become credentialed as a Fellow through the AAOMPT
- 26 are members of the American Physical Therapy Association
- 26 are members of the McKenzie Institute USA
- 11 have achieved Board Certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist
- 3 have gone on to achieve full faculty status with the McKenzie Institute USA
- 4 hold committee appointments with the AAOMPT
- 2 serve on the program faculty
- 3 serve as a clinical mentors for the program
- 1 holds a position in their State Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association
Fellowship Program Pathway
Leading to eligibility to apply to AAOMPT to become Fellows of the AAOMPT.
- 700 own clinical hours commence at onset with ongoing designated FAAOMPT mentor consultation.
- OMPT Learning Activities and IFOMPT requirements with a FAAOMPT mentor's ongoing portfolio review; including written and oral/practical examinations, psychomotor assessments, and live patient exams.
- Functional Anatomy and Pain Science Course (Online)
- Research Project Course (Online)
- Thrust Manipulation Course (Onsite)
- 150 hours** direct 1:1 OMPT Clinical Mentorship experience with a FAAOMPT Mentor
- Successful pass of Oral Practical Examination
- Graduate from MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program and apply for Fellow status with AAOMPT
The expected average program completion period is two years. The minimum time to complete the MIUSA OMPT program is twelve months and maximum time is three years from the official program start date. Our program timeline is in accordance with ACOMPTE evaluative criteria to meet IFOMPT standards in that Fellowship programs are completed in no fewer than ten (10) months and in no more than sixty (60) months.
FAQs
What is the cost of the program?
Who is eligible to apply for the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship?
What is the application process?
Program Fee
The program fee for 2024 is under review and will be posted soon. The program fee includes all OMPT learning activities, online courses, 1:1 mentoring hours, Thrust Manipulation Course, associated materials, and a complimentary MIUSA membership providing a digital subscription to JMMT. Additional expenses incurred by the candidate for the OMPT Mentorship may or may not include professional liability and health insurance, licensure fees, travel and accommodations.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants to the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program are required to meet criteria 1-3 and at least ONE criteria of 4:- Minimum bachelor’s degree (BS) in physical therapy
- Current license and state registration to practice physical therapy in the United States
- Hold the Diploma in MDT
- One of the following additional qualifications:
- American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) specialist certification in the related area of specialty as defined within the DFP, and/or
- Completion of an ABPTRFE-accredited residency in a related specialty area as defined within the DASP, and/or
- Demonstrable clinical skills within a particular specialty area:
- Current practice in Ortho setting (minimum two years attested to by a supervisor/practice owner)
- Broad training in OMPT with documentation of training attended (minimum two OMPT post-professional courses)
- Open minded to learning and applying OMPT principles where appropriate with MDT principles
- Desire to improve communication between OMPT practices and conduct research
Application Process
Admission to the MIUSA OMPT Fellowship Program is highly competitive and requires a significant monetary and professional commitment. It is expected that a total of 3-5 applications will be accepted annually into the program.
Candidates apply directly to MIUSA. The application cover sheet and all supporting documentation identified in the application must be submitted electronically by email. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee consisting of the Program Director, Academic Advisor and MIUSA Executive Director.
Applications are accepted annually on a rolling basis and those submitted on or before October 15 will be considered for the following January commencement.
Application for 2024 coming soon.
We welcome questions or expressed interest emailed to:
Joe Lorenzetti PT, DPT, MS, OCS, FAAOMPT, Dip. MDT, MTC - Program Director
Stacey Lyon, MIUSA Executive Director