Sports D1 Fellowship
The West Virginia University Sports D1 Fellowship program has been granted candidacy and is in the process of seeking full accreditation through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education.
Mission Statement
The mission of the WVU Sports D1 Fellowship is to provide sports physical therapists with advanced education on the skills and resources needed to function within a rapidly evolving D1 sports medicine environment. Graduates will be certified clinical specialists who are innovated, influential, and visionary leaders who contribute to the athlete’s interdisciplinary team by providing the highest level of health care and maximizing the sport experience for the athletes they serve. The program will be driven and refined through research, education, and service, and will work to contribute to the enrichment of life through sport at WVU, in the community, the state of West Virginia, and beyond.
Fellowship Overview
The West Virginia University Sports D1 Fellowship is a 13-month long, post-professional clinical and didactic educational experience that prepares clinical specialists to provide the highest level of care to athletes at the D1 level. While providing this care, the fellow will learn how to effectively contribute to the athlete’s interdisciplinary care team. Clinically, the fellow will be primarily employed by, and therefore housed, within WVU’s department of athletics, where they will provide care to WVU athletes and work within the WVU sports medicine team. Didactically, the fellow will receive weekly didactic education, mentoring, and interprofessional emersion experiences. Additionally, the fellow will participate in research, community outreach, sports journal clubs, and teaching and mentoring students on sport specific content in WVU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program.
Where You’ll Practice
Admission Criteria
Minimum Requirements
- All applicants must be licensed or eligible for a license to practice physical therapy in the state of West Virginia.
- All applicants must be a graduate of a CAPTE accredited physical therapy education program.
- All applicants must hold an ABPTS specialist certification in Sports or related areas of specialty and/or have successfully completed an ABPTRFE accredited sports residency or related area of specialty prior to the start of the fellowship.
- Fluency in speech and writing the English language with excellent communication skills.
- Psychological, social and physical stability to participate in and successfully complete the program.
- All applicants must be active members of the APTA in good standing.
- Current ATC, EMT, and/or completion of emergency response course approved the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.
- Completed application by application deadline including:
- CV
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Specialist certification or residency graduation certificate
*All applicants must be compliant with WVU Department of Athletics Policies at time of hire.
Preference may be given to those who possess the following:
- Current sports clinical specialist or has successfully completed an ABPTRFE accredited sports physical therapy residency program
- Licensed Athletic Trainer
- Experience working with higher level athletics
Apply
To apply to the fellowship program, please submit your application through the RF-PTCAS (Residency and Fellowship Centralized Applications Service).
Important Dates
- Applications open October 1st
- Applications due by December 1st
- Interviews will be conducted between Mid-December to Mid-January
- Program start date July 1st
Program Outcomes
[Information to be added pending completion of first fellowship.]
Contact
For questions and additional information, please contact:
Justin Payette, PT, DPT, CSCS
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy
WVU Sports D1 Fellowship Director
Division of Physical Therapy
Phone: 304.293.1371
Email: justin.payette@hsc.wvu.edu
Please click here to access ABPTRFE Financial Fact Sheet.