Build Your Clinical Knowledge through Continuing Education
Best-in-Class Continuing Education Program
We’re committed to developing and providing the best continuing education opportunity in the country. Our approach to continuing education ensures that all team members have a core orthopedic understanding and are positioned to pursue their areas of passion – as well as becoming leaders in the field.
Because continuing education is so important to us, we also provide opportunities for clinicians outside of our organization to participate in free continuing education – both virtually and in person.
The Orthopedic Specialty Series
At Bay State Physical Therapy, we believe that to provide the best care possible, and deliver exceptional outcomes to patients, our Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants need to continually expand their clinical expertise.
The foundation of our Continuing Education Program is the Orthopedic Specialty Series (OSS). While it serves as a starting point toward the Orthopedic Clinical Specialist designation, it’s a fantastic starting point for all Physical Therapists. The OSS consists of six comprehensive modules that combine didactic learning with hands-on, lab-based components. These modules are designed to deepen PTs understanding of orthopedic care, while improving their ability to apply it effectively in practice.
Each module offers virtual, self-paced didactic learning, followed by an interactive, hands-on lab experience. This is complemented by one-on-one mentoring, Special Interests Groups, and condition-specific guidance on evaluation and management.
- Upper extremity
- Lumbar spine
- Lower extremity
- Thoracic (elective)
- Cervical spine
- Advanced Gait (elective)
This course provides excellent preparation for attaining an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) designation. Learn more about the OSS!
Specialty Courses Offered
Our team also offers other specialty courses to help our Physical Therapists build their clinical skills. Topics include but are not limited to:
- Dry Needling Certification – Level 1 and Level 2
- Blood Flow Restriction
- Manual Therapy Techniques
External Continuing Education Program
We also offer access to external continuing education. Every team member has a $1000 stipend to use for external continuing education programs and can exceed that amount with approval. This allows team members to begin exploring specialties and further develop their clinical interests.
Special Interest Groups & Journal Clubs
At Bay State Physical Therapy, we sponsor Special Interest Groups and Journal Clubs to facilitate development and exploration. By bringing together our team to discuss areas of interest, we all have the opportunity to learn from each other and explore the latest literature.
Live Continuing Education Series for All Physical Therapists
Because we believe continuing education in physical therapy is so important, we also provide opportunities for clinicians outside our organization.
We now offer a live, monthly series to anyone who is interested in helping to build a better model for musculoskeletal health, while developing their clinical skills. Past course topics include:
- ACL Injury Prevention
- Thrower’s Shoulder: Acute Injury through Return to Sport
- Shoulder Instability
- Manual Therapy
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
- Frozen Shoulder
- New Innovations in Total Joint Replacements
- Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
- Post Op Lifestyle Considerations
- Complex Cervical: Establishing a Therapeutic Alliance
- And even a course on foundations of personal finance for Physical Therapists!
These courses are offered virtually and free-of-charge to those who register. If you’re interested in learning more about our team, along with building your clinical skills, we encourage you to sign up for our next live event!
In the meantime, you can also access video recordings of our past continuing education events at no charge.
Meet Our Continuing Education Instructors
David Nolan, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, SCS, CSCS, Clinical Specialist at the Mass General Sports Physical Therapy Service and the Director of the MGH / Northeastern University Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program
Dr. David Nolan serves as Clinical Specialist at the Mass General Sports Physical Therapy Service and the Director of the MGH / Northeastern University Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program. He is a board certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Sports Clinical Specialist. David has lectured nationally on running-related injury, functional biomechanics, gait and lower quarter dysfunction. He is a past recipient of the “Excellence in Clinical Teaching” award from the New England Consortium of Academic Coordinators of Clinical Education.
Terrance Pratt, PT, MS, MS, OCS, FAAOMT, Sr. Clinical Educator
Terrance Pratt is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Specialist and Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy. He is a fellowship instructor, course instructor, and examiner for NAIOMT and has taught over 100 courses across the US and Italy. He also has spoken at local community groups, APTA SIG and local APTA conferences. After managing a clinic in Topsham for 16 years, Terry transitioned to the role of Sr. Clinical Educator for Bay State Physical Therapy and MVPT Physical Therapy.
