PT Specializations

[rmaddre]

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What are the real benefits of having a specialization? Is it the pay, specific clientele, job opportunities?

Do you have to do a residency or fellowship to obtain a specialization? If so, what are the cost and likelihood of being accepted to a program like that?

I know that's a lot of questions, but any insight would be excellent.

 

[goyo1010]

I'll let the people with a current specialization talk about the benefits, as they can vary. However, you do not need to do a residency or fellowship to obtain a specialization. Some fellow statuses have been awarded by organizations (e.g., AAOMPT) instead of earned through undergoing a fellowship. There are different requirements for the specializations available through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).

1. You must have a current license to practice in the US.
2. You must pay a application review fee, as well as an examination fee for a total of $1,315 for APTA members or $2,385 for non-APTA members.
3. Depending on the specialty, there are different application deadlines.
4. Then for the different specializations, there are different requirements. I've attached the document for your reference.

Residency programs have very competitive application and interview processes and you need to show your dedication and passion for the specific specialty. They are looking to choose one or two individuals (for most programs) out of dozens of applicants.

 

[Azimuthal]

From what I hear, there is little to no pay difference. Though a few have told me that they did receive about a ~4500-5500 additional pay. I'm on one of my clinical OP affils and all the therapists are OCS's. They told me that they got it because 1) the hospital paid the fees and 2) the 2,000 hour requirement is reached rather quickly and 3) studying for the exam benefited them clinically.

More info on qualifications:
http://www.abpts.org/Certification/About/

 

[NewTestament]

OCS used to be a lot more valuable than it is today. I have a couple professors who are OCS and they're saying the market is flooded with OCS's now. Even an OCS might not be worth it, unless of course your employer pays for it.

Here's a good link about residencies. In summary, I don't think they're worth it. If you have student loans to pay off, you need to start working.

http://ptthinktank.com/2014/06/03/residencies-for-new-dpt-grads-from-clinic-owners-perspective/

 

[Sheldon]

OCS used to be a lot more valuable than it is today. I have a couple professors who are OCS and they're saying the market is flooded with OCS's now. Even an OCS might not be worth it, unless of course your employer pays for it.

Here's a good link about residencies. In summary, I don't think they're worth it. If you have student loans to pay off, you need to start working.

http://ptthinktank.com/2014/06/03/residencies-for-new-dpt-grads-from-clinic-owners-perspective/

If you are looking to do the OCS or residency and/or fellowship solely for a perceived potential monetary increase, chances are you are going to be disappointed. Likewise, if you participate in a a residency and/or fellowship solely to add some letters behind your name, you are going to be disappointed and probably burnt out. I cannot stress this enough to new grads: 1) Participate in a residency and/or fellowship because you want the mentorship, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking NOT because you want earn more and have some neat initials behind your name. Mentorship, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking is VALUED and by doing so, you'll be able to better show your WORTH to potential employers. I've completed a residency, passed the OCS, and am now doing a fellowship and post-graduate DSc and I'm not worried about salary nor do I expect much of an increase in salary for completing any of this training; I'm doing it so I can be the best clinician and undertake clinically-relevant research in order to positively impact the profession. Lastly, I would recommend a residency and I do think they are worth it, albeit not for increased income potential.

 

[anotherbane]

i think so,recommend a residency and I do think they are worth it, albeit not for increased income potential.thanks

 

[NewTestament]

1) Participate in a residency and/or fellowship because you want the mentorship, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking NOT because you want earn more and have some neat initials behind your name. Mentorship, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking is VALUED and by doing so, you'll be able to better show your WORTH to potential employers.

The decreased income residents receive is not a small issue. Many students come out of PT school with enormous debt, and their creditors call in those loans almost as soon as they graduate. Furthermore, many PT students are almost 30 years old, and simply aren't interested in being students any longer. Some clinics offer mentorships, which is valuable. But you don't need a residency to find a good mentor, or even to develop critical reasoning. As far as I know, a residency doesn't help you find work any faster than a DPT alone.

 

[DesertPT]

Even if an OCS wasn't valuable financially or job opportunity-wise, I'm sure becoming one would make you a better therapist.

Other specializations from ABPTS are not nearly as common and would probably make you stand out if you want to work in more of a niche setting. The number of specialists certified by ABPTS seems to directly correlate with the number of people overall that work in that area of PT. But I'm not sure if that is really true. For example I don't know if the percentage of therapists who work strictly with orthapedic patients and who are OCS's is similar to the percentage of therapists who work strictly with neuro patients and who are NCS's.

 

[markelmarcel]

My clinic director just received her OCS and stated she got a raise because of it (although I did not ask her how much the raise was), as the company I work for places a lot of attention towards continuing your education to be a better PT.