Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) Residency at Mountain Land Physical Therapy
Take Your PT Career to the Next Level
Mountain Land’s Orthopedic (Orthopaedic) Residency is designed for physical therapists who want to build advanced skills, gain mentorship from expert clinicians, and prepare for board certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist (OCS).
Through a combination of patient care, one-on-one mentorship, advanced coursework, and specialty clinical experiences, our residency equips you with the knowledge and confidence to become a leader in orthopedic physical therapy.
Why Choose Mountain Land?
You will gain over 150 hours of one-on-one mentorship, treat patients under expert guidance, and participate in advanced coursework and specialty training. Our program includes musculoskeletal ultrasound training, surgical observations, and spine rounds that give you a unique diagnostic and clinical edge.
Alongside these experiences, you will complete leadership and research projects, present at professional events, and graduate fully prepared to sit for the ABPTS Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist exam.
Program Structure at a Glance
Component
What to Expect
Clinical Hours
32+ hours per week of direct patient care
Mentorship
150+ hours of one-on-one clinical guidance
Education
Weekly conferences, specialty training sessions, and labs
Projects
Case reports, research abstracts, leadership-focused work
Professional Development
Service outreach, teaching opportunities, and networking
Program Outcomes
This physical therapy residency program is currently seeking accreditation from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTRFE) and is not yet considered an accredited program. Individuals enrolling in this program should be aware that the program’s curriculum and structure may be subject to change as we work towards achieving accreditation status. No representation is made that completion of this program guarantees eligibility for board certification or any specific employment opportunities. Program data, including residency completion and OCS passing rates, will be published by June of 2027.
Mentors
Chase Pendley, DPT, OCS
Residency Director
Carolyn Rybicki, DPT, OCS
Clinic Director
Kyle Herauf, DPT, OCS
Clinic Director
Ariel Branden, DPT, OCS
Director of Clinical Excellence
Madison Splan, DPT, WCS
Director of Operations
Jason Lobb, PT, OCS
Chief Operations Officer
Matt Okelberry, DPT, ECS, OCS
EMG Services Director
Tyler Ellis, DPT, OCS
Clinic Director
Bart McDonald, MPT, ECS, FMSK
Director of Diagnostic Services
Admission Requirements
To be eligible for the Physical Therapy Orthopedic Residency, the following minimal requirements must be met before starting the program and be maintained throughout the residency year.
- Have current licensure as a physical therapist by the Utah Board of Physical Therapy or anticipated licensure upon graduation from an accredited physical therapy program in the application year.
- Comply with Mountain Land Partners’ general employment requirements, which may include a criminal background check and pre- and post-employment drug screening.
- Can meet the physical demands of a Physical Therapist
- Be a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and an Orthopedic Academy member
- Other requirements include:
- 2-3 Letters of recommendation. If this is the applicant’s first employment since graduation, one reference must be from a PT who taught the applicant in an academic setting and one must be from a PT where the applicant was a student.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Official Transcripts.
Application and associated documents to be submitted to Mountain Land Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@mlpt.com
Ready to Apply?
To apply, or for any other questions, please contact Residency Director, Chase Pendley DPT, OCS at chase.pendley@mlpt.com or at 385-900-5094.
Mission
The mission of the Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners Orthopedic Residency is to provide practicing clinicians advanced orthopedic didactic and clinical instruction to further develop highly skilled clinicians who provide exceptional, evidence-based, patient-centered care and to help position them to be future leaders within the company and the profession.
