CHOMP Neurologic Clinical Specialist (NCS) Residency Program

Program Overview

The CHOMP NCS Residency Program develops expert clinicians in neurological rehabilitation. The program is a partnership between Community Hospital, the Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Consortium (Neuroconsortium), and California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB). The NCS Residency program is accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The CHOMP NCS residency is a 52-week program that enrolls one student every August. Upon completion of the program, the clinician will be prepared to sit for the NCS specialty examination offered by the APTA.

Features of the Residency Program

• Clinical experience in three settings: acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient
• Mentored 1:1 clinical practice in all three settings
• Structured resident-directed learning opportunities
• Didactic coursework
• Preparation and training for APTA specialty certifications
• Paid compensation for clinical practice hours and clinical mentoring time

Residency Program Curriculum

• 1500 hours of clinical practice (approximately 32 hours per week)
• 230 hours of one to one mentoring (4 hours per week)
• Four-month rotations in acute care, inpatient rehab, and outpatient settings
• Independent study project through California State University at Monterey Bay (CSUMB)
• Participation in didactic education through the Neuroconsortium

Program Costs

There is no tuition charged to residents of the CHOMP NCS program. The resident is responsible for incidental costs related to independent study projects. No additional financial aid or stipends are offered by the program.

Eligibility Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapy degree program
• American Heart Association BLS certification
• Valid California physical therapy license (license applicants are allowed to apply)
• Prospective applicants must have demonstrated experience in neurologic physical therapy during post-graduate training

Application Process

Prospective residents may apply to the CHOMP residency program through the APTA’s Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Centralized Application Service (RF-PTCAS) web site. A personal career statement and two letters of recommendation will be requested of all applicants. A small number of applicants will be invited for on-site interviews with the admissions committee.

The residency program is currently on hiatus due to COVID-related impacts. Applications to the 2021-2022 program are due by June 4, 2021.