Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program

The mission of the UK Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program is to prepare and develop the resident/candidate for advanced, independent practice in the area of sports physical therapy and ultimately for their role of contributing to the profession and society as a board certified clinical specialist in sports rehabilitation.

Graduates will demonstrate their competency in and dedication to the sports medicine field by providing excellent patient care/customer service through efficient, evidence based practice; advancing the profession through continual learning and participation in clinical research; and educating and serving as an ambassador to the public, physical therapy students, and other professions in the organization and medical community. In doing so, the resident will uphold the missions, visions and purposes held by the University of Kentucky, UK Rehabilitation Services Department, UK HealthCare, and UK College of Health Sciences Division of Physical Therapy.

To develop and educate the resident to become a highly competent clinician who is well prepared to provide efficient, evidenced based quality care in the management of sports related injuries and pathologies as well as achieve ABPTS certification in sports physical therapy.

To promote the practice of continuous learning, effective communication and quality improvement management in the resident in a multidisciplinary sports medicine environment.

To foster or provide resources needed to engage in clinical research opportunities at the organization specific to the specialty area in order to advance the body of knowledge in sports physical therapy and assist the resident in developing competence in the utilization and review of research to provide effective evidence based care.

To support the organization’s mission of providing community service and being an information resource by fostering the spirit of professional leadership and benevolence in the residency program.

To prepare the resident to become an effective teacher and mentor to others in sports physical therapy.

The UK Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program is a 12-month intensive program with the following components:

Clinical Practice Components

• Supervised direct patient care in the UK Sports Rehabilitation Clinic: 30 hours/week.
• One-on-one direct mentoring of patient care with board certified specialists: 4-5 hours/week.
• Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery physician clinic and surgery observation: 48 hours/year.
• Athletic venue and training room coverage: 240 hours/year.
• Shadowing experiences in research labs.

Didactic Components

• SCS preparation coursework.
• Specialty Topics in Sports Rehabilitation Series consisting of one to one lectures, lab experiences and online learning from esteemed UK Division of Physical Therapy Program faculty: 31 hours/year.
• Didactic hands on clinical activity instruction: 40 hours/year
• Journal Club: 6 hours/year.
• Sports medicine conferences: 10 hours/year.
• In addition to the clinical and didactic components of the program, residents will also engage in teaching opportunities through the UK College of Health Sciences Physical Therapy Program and will be expected to complete a research project suitable for publication and/or presentation at a national conference.

We accept one resident per year. The following items are required for an individual applicant to meet in order to be eligible to enter the UK Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program, and prior to entrance into the program:

1. Graduate from a CAPTE (Commission for Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education) accredited physical therapy program.
2. Hold (in good standing) a current license to practice physical therapy in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
3. Meet all eligibility requirements to be employed as a practicing physical therapist within UK HealthCare including passing criminal background check and drug screening requirements established by UK Human Resources for new hire employees.
4. Complete an American Physical Therapy Sports Section approved Emergency Medical Responder Course prior to program start date as well as hold active certification in CPR/BLS.
5. Submission of a current resume or CV as well as references from a clinical instructor/physical therapist and also, if a recent graduate, a reference from a PT academician who was one of the applicant’s instructors.

Minimum of one year of clinical experience or exceptional performance during clinical rotations in an orthopaedic/sports medicine outpatient setting is preferred. Manual therapy background, APTA membership and sports coverage experience is also preferred.

The ideal candidate will have a sports medicine and manual therapy background, direct patient care and critical thinking skills, possess focus, drive, accountability, receptiveness to mentorship, and demonstrate strong organizational ability, interpersonal skills and leadership potential.

The University of Kentucky is committed to a policy of providing equal employment opportunities to all candidates regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or age. The University does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of Vietnam-era veteran status, disabled veteran status, or physical or mental disability in regard to any position for which the employee or employment applicant otherwise meets minimum qualifications. The University does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because the individual is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with the University policy concerning smoking. Compliance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination, and with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is coordinated by the Institutional Equity & Equal Opportunity Office, 13 Main Building, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506-0032, (859) 257-8927.

Efforts to comply with the laws and regulations applicable to people with disabilities are also coordinated by the Institutional Equity & Equal Opportunity Office, as required by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The written University of Kentucky Affirmative Action Plan (AAP), in accordance with Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and The Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), may be viewed in the Institutional Equity & Equal Opportunity Office. The AAP is available from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday when the University of Kentucky is officially in session. This policy is applicable to the University of Kentucky Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program. Further information can be obtained from the University of Kentucky’s policies page.

This is a paid full time position. Residents will receive malpractice coverage provided by UK HealthCare at no charge as per a standard employee hire at University of Kentucky Sports Rehabilitation. Malpractice insurance utilized during athletic training room and venue coverage time will also be provided by UK HealthCare at no charge.

Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance as well as 403(b) are offered at standard employee rates. Residents will be given the opportunity to select the health, dental, and/or vision plans in which they wish to enroll during employee orientation. Residents may elect not to participate at that time as well. At the end of the program, residents will not be eligible to receive the employer match on the 403(b) plan but will be eligible to receive their own personal contributions to the 403(b) plan. For further details regarding insurance/benefits, refer to this page.

Benefits provided by UK HealthCare will begin on October 1st. Benefits, including health insurance, malpractice insurance, disability insurance, 403(b) plan, sick, vacation and holiday time, and continuing education funding are based on the offers provided to employees of the organization.

There are no tuition or administrative fees related to the program and no financial aid or stipends are offered through the program. Residents are responsible to cover the cost of obtaining Emergency Medical Responder and CPR certifications.

Welcome, and thank you for considering the University of Kentucky Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program. We strive for excellence and quality and in doing so have put together a comprehensive program for you. We accept one resident each year and new graduates are encouraged to apply.

We are a part of the RF-PTCAS, an online application system that allows candidates to apply to multiple residency programs with one application. Furthermore, formal residency application submission is also required through the University of Kentucky Employment website.

*Therefore, qualified candidates are required to submit their formal application through both the RFPTCAS website and the UK Employment website.

Application Dates

University of Kentucky application period begins: December

• Application deadline: 12/11/2023
• Interviews for qualified applicants: Early to Mid-January 2024
• Offering Date: January-February 2024
• Program Start Date: September 1, 2024

The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Applicants requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a request that details necessary accommodations in writing with the program office. Requests can be mailed to either:

John Jurjans, PT or Ryan McGuire, PT
2195 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 125
Lexington KY 40514

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

University of Kentucky Residency Program Faculty

John Jurjans PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program Co-Director
jgju222@uky.edu

Ryan McGuire PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
Sports Rehabilitation Residency Program Co-Director
rpmcgu0@uky.edu

Pilar Morgan, PT, DPT, SCS, TPI
Mentor

William M. Swann, PT, DPT, CSCS
Mentor

Timothy Uhl, PHD, ATC, PT, FNATA
Mentor

Richard Watson PT, OCS
Sports Rehabilitation Residency Faculty and Clinic Supervisor
richard.watson@uky.edu

Find out more information about each of our therapists here.

Please feel free to contact Ryan McGuire or John Jurjans with questions concerning the program at:

University of Kentucky
UK HealthCare at Turfland
2195 Harrodsburg Road, Suite 125
Lexington, KY 40504
859-257-4576