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Physical Therapy Residency Program


Accelerate your professional development by participating in the Stanford Health Care Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency Program. Be part of our innovative and dynamic team in an outstanding multi-site medical center with state-of-the-art equipment and world-class medical care. We are looking for passionate, hardworking physical therapists with the desire for superior clinical knowledge and advanced clinical expertise.

This is a developing program, and we are seeking initial Accreditation through the American Board of Physical Therapy Residency and Fellowship Education

Residency Program Facts 
The Stanford Health Care Acute Care Residency Program's curriculum is designed around world renowned clinical practice, using the resources of our academic medical institution. Each clinical rotation is designed to seamlessly progress through each specialty area of practice within the continuum of Acute Care supplemented with advanced theoretical and didactic coursework.

During the week, residents will receive mentorship from faculty content experts, will facilitate monthly journal clubs and case study presentations, will complete self-guided learning and observation activities, and will engage in clinical teaching opportunities. The residency year will culminate in a comprehensive, evidenced-based capstone project.
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Acute Care PT Resident Spotlight

Michael Altamirano (He/Him)
Hometown: Morgan Hill, CA

Educational Background (DPT Program): Samuel Merritt University, Oakland CA

What are your interests and hobbies outside of PT? I enjoy cooking and baking with my partner. Spending time with my family and two cats is very important to me. If the weather is warm, I love spending time in Santa Cruz walking on the beach. During the fall, you can catch me at a San Jose Sharks game cheering loud and proud!

What are your strengths and areas you would like to improve or develop during your residency? I am extremely people oriented and would consider that to be my greatest strength. I enjoy the relationships I am able to build with my peers and patients through active listening and demonstrating compassion. As a newly graduated PT, I would like to develop my confidence in clinical decision making as I work my way through the different units at Stanford.

What do you hope to achieve during your residency? I am hoping to strengthen my knowledge and understanding of the importance of working in an interprofessional team. My goal is to become a role model of collaborative practices for peers and future professionals entering the field.

What are you looking forward to as the first Acute Care PT resident at Stanford Health Care?
Stanford Health has a reputation for delivering high quality care throughout the Bay Area. As Stanford's first Acute Care PT, I am excited to learn from experts from each unit and to set the standard for future residents. I am looking forward to take the knowledge from this program and sharing it with future colleagues, peers, and students so that more PTs becoming interested in acute care residency.

Share a fun fact or something unique about yourself.
For exercise, I have spent the last year training in Muay Thai at "Condition and Competition Kickboxing" gym in San Jose. I have aspirations to compete in a kickboxing match in 2026!
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Program Basics


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Duration August to August
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Location Stanford Health Care Hospitals (300P & 500P)
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Schedule Each resident is scheduled for a minimum of 40 hours per week.  The schedule will vary based on the specialty areas, and may consist of days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
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Cohort Size One to three residents.
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Recruiting Information

Qualifications
The Acute Care Physical Therapy Residency Program at Stanford Health Care is looking for physical therapists with energy and passion for their profession, ready to move to the next level of clinical practice. Applicants do not have to have a minimum amount of practice in the field.

Eligibility requirements for residency:
  • Graduate from a CAPTE accredited PT program or demonstrated substantial international equivalency (See FAQ)
  • Be a current licensed Physical Therapist in the State of California or a current Licensed Applicant who has passed the California licensure examination.
  • American Heart Association BLS Certification for Healthcare Workers.
  • Meet all necessary requirements of Stanford Health Care per review of SHC Human resources to be hired as an employee including passing of background check and pre-employment physical, including TB test.
  • Demonstrate competency in technical skills and clinical reasoning during the interview with the Residency committee.

Application Components

  • Formal application completion
  • Two Professional letters of recommendation
    • ​​​​​​​Your letter should be from people who can best attest to you as a person, and make an excellent case for why you are the best applicant for this position. We do encourage prior clinical instructors and/or scholastic professors.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume
Application Timeline
We will be using the centralized RF-PTCAS system and the candidate will also need to apply for a job through our careers website.  
  • October 1, 2024:  Applications Open
  • March 1, 2025:  Applications Close
  • April-May 2025: Initial phone screens with Residency Program Director 
  • May 2025: All applicants will be notifed by this date if selected for an interview. 
  • July 1, 2025: Acceptance into 2025-2026 cohort will be sent via e-mail on or before this date. 
  • Early August: Residency begins
Onboarding Process
Before the residency starts, selected candidates must pass the onboarding process.  This includes verification of:
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification
  • Background check
  • Occupational health clearance (includes drug test, tuberculosis testing, blood test, and physical evaluation)


​​​​​Watch our Informational Webinar about the PT Residency Program. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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Contact Us

For more information about our residency or for any questions, please e-mail: 
Residency Program Email: AcuteCarePTResidency@stanfordhealthcare.org

Residency Program Director: Lauren Stoll, PT, DPT – lstoll@stanfordhealthcare.org