The Student​ Physical Therapist
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test
Picture

What Specialty Certifications should you Get?

7/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Recently we have been receiving several questions regarding continuing education credentials. What does it mean to have a COMT, OCS, FAAOMPT, etc... In this post I am going to break down the difference among several commonly seen advanced certifications. 

Orthopedic Clinical Specialty (OCS):
Any "CS" credential means the clinician has earned a clinical specialty. For example, Chris and I recently passed our OCS examination so we are now Orthopedic Clinical Specialists. Brian passed his SCS so he is a Sports Clinical Specialist. You are eligible to sit for your Clinical Specialty Examination in one of two ways: 1. attend a residency program OR 2. demonstrate 2,000 hours of clinical work in the specialty area plus a few other criteria. (For more information follow the link HERE) The three of us chose to do the residency program. It is a quicker route to becoming a clinical specialist and a residency program gives you at least 150+ one-on-one mentoring hours. I would highly recommend this option to anyone who is looking to improve their clinical skills.

Certification in Orthopedic Manual Therapy (COMT):
Many clinicians choose to pursue a COMT prior to their fellowship in manual therapy training. Many programs follow a 1-year curriculum consisting of five or more weekend learning courses. For example, Chris and I recently partnered with OPTIM Physical Therapy to start a COMT program. Our program consists of 6 weekend courses with online didactic course work in between sessions. Each program has a different focus, but the ultimate goal is to become in expert in neuromuscular examination and manual therapy techniques. (To learn more about our program click HERE.

Fellowship of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy (FAAOMPT):
If you are officially seeking alphabet soup behind your name, pursue the FAAOMPT credentials. It is one year of training, plus 440 one-on-one mentoring hours. To enter into a manual therapy fellowship, one must first either go through a pre-fellowship year or residency program. In this post, I am writing about manual therapy fellowships, but remember that there are fellowship programs across multiple specialty areas. Click the link HERE to learn more about fellowship programs.   

So which speciality certification should you pursue? There is no perfect answer, but at least having awareness of the different options is a step in the right direction. My recommendation: look at the residency corner posts that we have made on this website and check different programs websites to gain a better understanding of which fits best with your current practice and lifestyle.    



Jim


Like this post? Check out or insider access page to unlock even more information. 
Picture
OCS Preparation
As with any exam, it's important to be aware of the type of material that you will be tested on along with the method of questioning. From my discussion with physical therapists that have passed the OCS and after reviewing the goal of OCS certification, it appears that a major component involves "evidence-based practice" applied to many case scenarios. Continue Reading...

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Dr. Brian Schwabe's NEW Book in partner with PaleoHacks!
    Picture
    Learn residency-level content on our
    Insider Access pages
    Picture

    Picture

    We value quality PT education & CEU's.  Click the MedBridge logo below for TSPT savings!


    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Chest
    Core Muscle
    Elbow
    Foot
    Foot And Ankle
    Hip
    Knee
    Manual Therapy
    Modalities
    Motivation
    Neck
    Neural Tension
    Other
    Research
    Research Article
    Shoulder
    Sij
    Spine
    Sports
    Therapeutic Exercise


    RSS Feed

Home

Contact Us

Copyright © The Student Physical Therapist LLC 2022
Photos used under Creative Commons from dsearls, moo.review, liverpoolhls, matturick, lwpkommunikacio, Lake Clark NPS, Tobyotter, Charly Meunier, Vincent Albanese, CNBP, Zepfanman.com, aotaro, sportEX journals, jillccarlson, Yann07, US Department of Education, osseous, TheeErin, ajy591, Mark P / PIX41, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, UofT, teresatrimm, donnierayjones, NNelumba, Tobyotter, Frédéric de Villamil, Jordanhill School D&T Dept, danabooo, cadillacjr2002, ingridkreuz, RDECOM, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Wonderlane, hectorir, Jeffrey, Chris Hunkeler, quillons, COD Newsroom, Alan Cleaver, CCFoodTravel.com, liverpoolhls, Dr.Farouk, Jeffrey, Sten Dueland, Håkan Dahlström, PPGWings, Parker Michael Knight, MLazarevski, dno1967b, Fimb, Jim Larrison, infomatique, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Idhren, iwona_kellie, AnEternalGoldenBraid, quinn.anya, jlk.1, Villainette, mlsaero, roelandpype, Defence Images, CiscoANZ, istolethetv, Our Dream Photography (Personal), BraNewbs, Meg Stewart, phalinn, akeg, hectorir, philcampbell, MilitaryHealth, akeg, Army Medicine, Shar Ka, Subconsci Productions, Eric Kilby, Anonymous9000, quinn.anya, COD Newsroom, UMN Department of Plant Pathology, familymwr, all of olive., Keith Allison, JD Hancock, Synergy by Jasmine, roger_mommaerts, John-Morgan, a.drian, Instant Vantage, Beshef, markhillary, Vegar S Hansen Photography, DEC International, kaolin fire, smith_cl9, cinnamon_girl, jillccarlson, Extra Ketchup, brain_blogger, heyjoewhereyougoinwiththatguninyourhand, tv42, COMSALUD, Nicholas_T, Ano Lobb. @healthyrx, kaibara87, mlinksva, smbuckley23, sappsnap, Menage a Moi, brain_blogger, MaloMalverde, One Way Stock, ethet., ~ggvic~, MAClarke21, Keith Allison, pictures of money, mendolus shank, HotlantaVoyeur, Mr. T in DC, abbamouse, HystericalMark, Travis Hornung, jenny downing, shock264, Peter Mooney, Futurilla, sfslim, Emily Carlin, PFX Photo, ITU Pictures, TP studio, akunamatata, Magdalena Roeseler, osseous, smith_cl9, warrenski, Sh4rp_i, mrbichel, Renaud Camus, sicamp, GreenFlames09, infomatique, mark i geo, Volker Davids, TerryJohnston, Daniela Vladimirova, CJS*64, VarsityLife, Quentin Verwaerde, Annie Mole, US Army Africa, RLHyde, openBIT e. V., Vox Efx, fabola, Gerry Dincher, mlsaero, Infomastern, N4n0, Wonderlane, TheeErin, Nanagyei, gogogadgetscott, Pulmonary Pathology, PELeCON, Elvert Barnes, @RunRockPrincess, woodleywonderworks, Asbestos Bill, Joelk75, otisarchives4, jillccarlson, sportEX journals, The Wandering Angel, perpetualplum, V31S70, colecamp, jpalinsad360, JulyYu, Andres Rueda, Whenleavesfall, melloveschallah, Pink Sherbet Photography, canonim, BrianHenry ////|//, Leonard John Matthews, mikecogh, Zepfanman.com, Kevin M. Gill, Claire L. Evans, afunkydamsel, The Official CTBTO Photostream, cyOFdevelin fame, dok1, Pam loves pie, hoshi7, opensourceway
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test