Residencies & Fellowships

Applications are OPEN for Summer 2025. The application deadline is April 1, 2025.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s Neurological Vision Rehabilitation Fellowship Program, which is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, provides an intensive, 12-month experience. This occurs concurrently with clinical practice as a treating therapist in the outpatient setting. Additionally, the fellow will attend specialty conferences, monthly physician-led rounds, attend and lead special interest groups, in-services and outside seminars within fellowship area. This fellowship program collaborates with Jeffrey Becker, OD, of the NeuroSensory Center of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Philosophy and Primary Objective

Our program is designed to provide opportunities for clinical growth and development for fellows to become a clinically competent and well-rounded practitioner through experiential learning and collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. This fellowship specialty area aims to provide an in-depth understanding of neurological vision deficits, an emerging area of practice with a growing body of evidence but narrowly addressed in clinical settings.

Core Elements and Goals

1. Support the mission and core values of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation to improve the quality of care provided to the patients served by highly accomplished advanced practitioners.
2. Develop and implement a curriculum in neurologic vision rehabilitation that includes advanced patient-centered practice, interdisciplinary training and evidence-based techniques.
3. Develop the clinical and didactic teaching skills of the fellow, providing a practice environment where clinical knowledge can be shared with patients, families, students, colleagues and the public.
4.  Promote advancement in the field of neurological vision rehabilitation by engaging occupational therapists in activities that promote excellence and seek to discover or appraise new evidence to guide practice decisions:
5. Promote community partnership through education or service projects.

Curriculum

The program combines clinical mentoring, the opportunity for advanced clinical practice, didactic information and specialty learning.

Fellowship program goals will be achieved through a combination of formal and informal educational methods and roles:

• Direct care provision as well as mentored clinical practice in outpatient vision program services of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation. Clinical mentors have specialty training and backgrounds in areas including:
  • Low vision
  • Assistive technology
  • Neuropsychology
  • Parkinson’s BIG and LOUD program
  • Clinical research
  • Neuro optometry
  • Vision rehabilitation
  • Vestibular rehabiltation
  • Brain injury rehabiltation
  • Spinal cord rehabilitation
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Neuro IFRAH technique
  • Motor control
  • Sports rehabilitation
  • Interactive Metronome
  • Adult autism
  • Didactic learning and structured mentoring sessions
  • Participation in clinical research projects
  • Participation and leadership in Neurologic special interest groups
  • Community outreach, endeavors project

Fellowship Course Sequence

• Weeks 1-2
  • Orientation to institution
• Weeks 3-8
  • Educational Curriculum
    • Visual neuroanatomy lectures
    • Instruction of use of specialized equipment
    • Psychosocial Article Review
• Months 3-12
  • Applied Clinical Experiences
    • Direct patient care
    • Mentoring sessions
    • Self-study
    • Observations
• Months 4-12
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Months 3, 6, 9, 12
  • Evidence-Based Best Practice Article Review and Reflection
• Months 10-12
  • Projects
  • Local college collaboration for guest lecturing
  • Development of community outreach program or service
• Months 8-12
  • Participation in clinical research projects, which may include:
    • Collaborating with organization’s research experts
    • Analyzing clinical data
    • Contributing to best practice/outcomes

Application Requirements

The following are prerequisites for an individual to meet in order for them to enter the fellowship program: 

1. Graduate of an ACOTE accredited occupational therapy program
2. Proof of current AOTA membership
3. Submit a current resume
4. Applicants are required to submit 2 letters of recommendation
5. Demonstrate interest in further professional development as documented in the personal statement for admission
6. Successful completion of the program will require the fellow to complete approximately 12 months in length.  This will encompass all clinical, didactic and mentoring components of the program. The total program consists of four weeks of neuro-optometric training with a licensed optometrist and eleven months full program of fellowship to follow.  
7. Formal interview
8. Current Pennsylvania license by start of the fellowship date
   a. Full licensure means passing  board exam and currently in possession of a valid Pennsylvania state occupational therapy license.  Good Shepherd reserves the right to withdraw an applicant’s offer if no proof of full licensure is made available.
   b. Out-of-state applicants are encouraged to initiate their Pennsylvania licensure at the same time an application is made to the program. 

Click here for personal data sheet.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
• Fellowship Start and End Dates: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (Tentative)

Selection Process

• The fellowship is advertised online and disseminated internally as well as to local college programs.
• Applicants submit their personal data sheet along with a full application as listed below.
• A formal interview is completed either on campus or virtually depending on the location of the applicant.
• Fellowship coordinators review applications with management and select the most appropriate candidate.
• The offer is extended; if accepted, the fellow will follow the new hire process through Human Resources as a full-time employee.

Contact Information

• Devin Darby (ddarby@gsrh.org or 610.776.3343)

Mail      

Neurological Vision Rehabilitation Fellowship Program 
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation
850 S. 5th St.
Allentown, PA 18103

Fellows are paid for 40 hours a week of clinical, teaching and education time. Salaries are not yet set and are subject to change.

Each fellow is responsible for the purchase of personal textbooks, and additional supplies and educational material.  Information on requirements will be given during orientation.

Good Shepherd is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their  race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law.

Program Overview

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s Neurologic Physical Therapy (PT) Residency is a well-established program that focuses on developing specialized clinicians within the area of neurologic rehabilitation across the continuum of care. Our 12-month program provides the opportunity for clinical advancement and professional growth to help participants quickly advance their career and become leaders within the field of neurologic physical therapy.

The curriculum includes didactic education by nationally recognized clinicians, clinical mentoring with a diverse group of experienced mentors, use of leading-edge technology, exposure to a wide variety of clinical settings and multiple opportunities for teaching, research and community partnership.

“The neurologic residency at Good Shepherd not only allowed me to gain insight from some amazing clinicians, but it truly helped change my practice for life, and for the better.”Former Neurologic Physical Therapy Resident

Mission

The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Neurologic PT Residency program’s mission is to mentor and enhance the professional development and advanced clinical training of neurologic physical therapists. They will have extensive content knowledge and provide evidence-based, patient-centered interventions to achieve the best clinical outcomes.

Accreditation

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network Neurological Residency is accredited by the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education as a post professional residency program for physical therapists in neurological rehabilitation.

Goals

1. The program will support the mission and core values of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to improve the quality of care provided to the patients.
2. The program will provide an evidence-based curriculum to the resident to allow them to successfully incorporate it into their clinical practice.
3. The program will prepare the resident through didactic and clinical education to meet or exceed standards requirements of all physical therapists employed by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network.
4. Resident will be highly satisfied with the neurologic residency and find it advantageous to advancing their clinical knowledge and skills.
5. The sponsoring organization will support the program’s mission and provides the means necessary to sustain the program.
6. The Residency program will maintain ABPTRFE accreditation.

Outcomes

• Graduation Rate: 100%
• Specialty Exam Pass Rate: 100%
• All graduates have been employed as a neurologic PT within three months of graduating from the program

Curriculum

• Didactic education provided by the Neurologic Physical Therapy Professional Education Neuroconsortium, to include online webinars, journal club, and in-person learning modules associated with the University of Southern California
• Clinical education provided at two practice sites (inpatient rehab facility and outpatient clinic) with 32 hours per week of direct patient care, as well as additional hours in specialty clinics (eg. MD/ALS clinic, MS Wellness Program)
• One-on-one mentoring with experienced mentors, including three therapists who hold their NCS, for a minimum of 150 hours throughout the program
• Teaching rotations through local PTA and DPT programs
• Research opportunities, within the organization and in conjunction with DeSales University

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Have graduated from a CAPTE-accredited physical therapy program
• Be eligible for and obtain licensure as a Physical Therapist in the State of Pennsylvania prior to the start of the clinical training
• Comply with Good Shepherd’s general employment requirements, including but not limited to proof of vaccinations, background checks, and drug testing

Candidates with a passion for clinical excellence, strong interpersonal skills, and dedication to life-long learning are preferred.

Application Process

Complete the online application process through the Residency and Fellowship Physical Therapy Central Application Service (RF-PTCAS). All applications will be reviewed by the selection committee and scheduled for an interview, either on-site or virtually at the discretion of the organization.

• Application Deadline: Mid-February
• Interview: Early March
• Admission Decision: Common Offer Date
• Program Start: Summer

Cost

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation covers the cost of all annual fees, including enrollment in the NPTPE Neuroconsortium. The resident is required to cover all costs associated with traveling to the two four-day modules as part of the consortium, which is located in Los Angeles. This includes airfare, lodging, food and transportation.

Neurologic PT Residency Director Information

Kelley Limbauan, PT, DPT, NCS | klimbauan@gsrh.org or 610.776.3247

Financial Fact Sheet 2024

The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network & Drexel University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program is 13 months in length and participants must be hired as a Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network employee. Residents will be given a minimum of 150 hours of one-on-one mentor time within their typical clinical residency training schedule.

To learn more, contact Erika Carter, PT, DPT, PCS, program director of the Good Shepherd Drexel University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, at ecarter@gsrh.org or 610-807-4239.

You may also contact Brittany Dierwechter, PT, DPT, PCS, program coordinator of the Good Shepherd Drexel University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, at BDierwechter@gsrh.org.

Pediatric PT Residency Details

The primary training consists of three components that include didactic/psychomotor modules, clinical mentoring and supervision and directed independent learning activities. Success in the program is measured by both written and practical exams, as well as grading of other activities that are requirements within the program.  Upon completion of the program, it is expected that the resident sits for the ABPTRFE Pediatric Clinical Specialist Board Certification examination within one year.

More information about the programs self-evaluation is available upon request from the GSDUPR Program Director.

The didactic/psychomotor modules are completed through various mediums including onsite and online, through distance learning. Dates and times are determined by the GSDUPR Program Director and faculty. Some content may require that weekend hours are scheduled for specialized training components or to make-up hours in the event of unexpected circumstances; residents will be provided with prior notice whenever possible.

Directed Learning Activities

The resident also participates in “directed learning activities” that consist of organized learning modules, independent study, scholarly projects, clinical rotations through other specialty areas and/or with health-care practitioners other than physical therapists, and professional activities related to practice management and physical therapy education.

Clinical Component

The clinical component consists of two forms of clinical practice experiences. The first is 150 hours of 1:1 clinical mentoring with an experienced clinician. The second component is supervised and independent clinical practice hours in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation, early intervention and school-based physical therapy settings. In all clinical settings, the resident communicates with their mentor regarding clinical questions as needed.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation and Drexel University Partnership

A strength of the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network & Drexel University Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program is the collaboration between a rehabilitation network for clinical aspects of the program and a university for the didactic and research components of the program.

This collaboration provides significant opportunities for the residents that include:

1. Unique clinical patient experiences not typically seen in one clinical location.
2. The expertise of qualified experts in the field of pediatric physical therapy to engage in discussion and debate in both a clinical and academic setting.
3. Increased supervision and/or 1:1 mentorship.

The partnership offers:

• Patient interactions ranging from birth to 21 years old with varied diagnoses.
• Evidence-based physical therapy in the areas inpatient, outpatient, early intervention, school-based therapy, and aquatics.
• Specialty clinics including equipment, bracing/orthoses, and NICU.
• Mentored research opportunities.
• Hands on experience in cadaver lab.

Residency Locations and Schedule

• Hyland Center for Health & Technology, 850 S. 5^th St., Allentown, PA, 18103
• Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital Emily Howatt Pliskatt Pediatric Unit, 2855 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017

Schedule is to be determined. It will change throughout the year as the residency setting changes (e.g., inpatient vs. outpatient).

Essential Results and Competencies

CLINICAL SKILLS

• Delivers quality care
• Pursues educational opportunities
• Shares knowledge with others
• Uses a wide variety of techniques and technologies to provide patient care
• Customizes treatment and communications to individual patient needs (i.e., cultural and cognitive)
• Plans for discharge appropriate to setting and circumstances in a timely manner (i.e., HEP, equipment, family teaching)

DOCUMENTATION

• Uses objective measurements appropriate to substantiate care
• Completes documentation on the date of service
• Interventions selected match treatment delivered and meet regulatory standards (i.e., 3-hour rule, 8-minute rule)
• Documentation substantiates charges selected
• Documentation meets clinical policy and procedure guidelines (frequency, timeliness-weekly/monthly notes and discharge instructions)

TEAM EFFORT

• Adheres to productivity standard
• Efficiently and effectively schedules patients
• Demonstrates flexibility to help others (i.e., provide coverage at other sites, adjust work schedule to meet needs, assist others to cover patients)
• Program development and involvement
• Staff and student development
• Embraces change and promotes positive work environment

Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Physical Therapy required.
Qualifications: Graduate of an accredited Physical Therapy program. Experience as a Physical Therapist is preferred, but not required.  More information on the GSDU Pediatric Physical Therapy Program can be found in the Residency Participant Handbook.
License/Certification Requirements: Current licensure or eligibility for licensure to practice Physical Therapy in the state of Pennsylvania required.  Valid CPR certification at time of hire or within first 90 days of employment required.

To apply to the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency Program, contact Erika Carter, PT, DPT, PCS, at ecarter@gsrh.org or 610-807-4239.

You may also contact Brittany Dierwechter, PT, DPT, PCS, at BDierwechter@gsrh.org.

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law. 

Outcomes

Graduation Rate: 75%

Specialty Exam Pass Rate: 100%

Program Financial Fact Sheet