General Question re. career specialization and jobs?

[mac_kin]

Hi everyone,

Do you think the practice area of your first/second PT jobs is important?

Specifically, I really hope to work in outpatient orthopaedics and with athletes/teams. I want to specialize in ortho or sport PT (or both) and hope to complete a fellowship in one of these fields in the next 2 to 3 years!

However, I have had major difficulty finding orthopaedic work that gives me adequate experience in these areas. I've had to take a couple inpatient hospital jobs instead.

In the end, do you think that this is detrimental to my career goals? I really do want to work in outpatient ortho. I feel like I've forgotten a few of my ortho skills and MSK anatomy because I don't use it as readily where I work. It's nothing I can't relearn/study, but I feel like in a way I'm wasting time. However, I need to work and this is all that's available.

What's everyone's take? How do you think a sports/ortho clinic would view me if my only PT jobs are all inpatient acute/rehab, and I'm trying to sell that I really want to work in outpatient ortho??

Any advice is appreciated!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MotionDoc]

have you considered an ortho or sports residency?

 

[Marcelo183]

Hi everyone,

Do you think the practice area of your first/second PT jobs is important?

Specifically, I really hope to work in outpatient orthopaedics and with athletes/teams. I want to specialize in ortho or sport PT (or both) and hope to complete a fellowship in one of these fields in the next 2 to 3 years!

However, I have had major difficulty finding orthopaedic work that gives me adequate experience in these areas. I've had to take a couple inpatient hospital jobs instead.

In the end, do you think that this is detrimental to my career goals? I really do want to work in outpatient ortho. I feel like I've forgotten a few of my ortho skills and MSK anatomy because I don't use it as readily where I work. It's nothing I can't relearn/study, but I feel like in a way I'm wasting time. However, I need to work and this is all that's available.

What's everyone's take? How do you think a sports/ortho clinic would view me if my only PT jobs are all inpatient acute/rehab, and I'm trying to sell that I really want to work in outpatient ortho??

Any advice is appreciated!

Not sure where you are, but I read up on Duke. They have a very good sport PT program. It's too far for me, but I also want to eventually work as a sports PT only. Good luck on your research, and please keep this topic updated.

 

[MinnDasota]

You can't do the fellowship program unless you are an ATC, SCS, or have completed a sports residency. My suggestion is to apply to a sports residency.