Welcome to the Department of Rehab at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia!
Post-graduate Education Programs
At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), we help children grow and thrive — and we offer these same opportunities to the professionals who make up our team.
Pediatric PT Residency Program
The Department of Physical Therapy's Pediatric Residency Program is a post-professional clinical and didactic education program designed to significantly advance the physical therapy resident’s preparation as a practitioner of choice in the field of pediatric physical therapy.
Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program
The Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is designed to support an individual motivated to become a leader in the field of sports physical therapy.
Physical Therapy Neonatology Fellowship Program
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Physical Therapy (PT) Neonatology Fellowship Program is a one-year, employed, immersion experience of post professional education for physical therapists who demonstrate expertise in pediatric physical therapy.
Pediatric Fellowship Program in Occupational Therapy
The Pediatric Fellowship Program at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is a post-professional clinical and didactic education program designed to significantly enrich the fellow’s preparation as an advanced practitioner in the field of pediatric occupational therapy. It combines opportunities for ongoing clinical mentorship with a scientific basis for advanced practice. This 12-month fellowship has three distinctive 16-week clinical rotations, including: inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient, and acute care.
More About The Department of Rehabilitation Services
The Department of Rehabilitative Services comprises the Physical Therapy Department and the Occupational Therapy Department. It is under the leadership of two Senior Managers and a Chief of Rehabilitation with expertise in rehabilitation and ambulatory services. Team Leaders from both Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy from multiple divisions, such as inpatient acute, inpatient rehab, outpatient, sports medicine, and specialty care center rehab, work with the Senior Managers and Chief of Rehabilitation to continue to support the Rehab Department, its patients, and mission. Systems that foster optimal patient outcomes with efficient use of resources are designed and implemented.
Physical Therapy Department
The Physical Therapy Department at the main campus is open 365 days a year from 8 am to 8 pm. Outpatient Physical Therapy hours of operation vary among specialty care center locations. A supervisor is available either on-site or on-call seven days a week. The Physical Therapy Department is staffed by approximately 107 Physical Therapists, 16 per diem Physical Therapists, and 4 Physical Therapist Assistants. Of this team, over 50 are ABPTS-certified clinical specialists in Neurology, Orthopaedics, Pediatrics, and Sports Medicine, and more than 85 APTA-credential clinical instructors. Job Positions include PT I through IV. Clinical Education and Development Coordinators also work with the team leaders to improve the quality of patient care and staff mentorship. Physical Therapy is available to inpatients, day hospital patients, and outpatients aged 0 – 21 who are identified as needing evaluation and treatment.
Occupational Therapy
Our trained and licensed occupational therapists work in acute care and intensive care units, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient services, and in specialty diagnostic clinics and programs throughout the hospital.
Sports Medicine & Performance Center
The Sports Medicine and Performance Center, a Division of Physical Therapy, consists of 4 outpatient centers in Philadelphia, King of Prussia and Chalfont, PA, and Voorhees, NJ. 20 PTs and 2 PTAs staff center wide. Among the PTs at the Sports Medicine & Performance Center are 4 Sports Clinical Specialists, 7 Orthopedics Clinical Specialists, and 1 Pediatric Clinical Specialist. 2 PTs have also completed a Fellowship in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy. Certifications among staff include Athletic Training (3), Strength & Conditioning (6), Vestibular (3), and Schroth Method for Scoliosis (3). 11 of the 20 PTs are also APTA credential Clinical Instructors. Over half of the PTs employed at the Sports Medicine and Performance Center at CHOP are also involved in Clinical-based research and Injury Prevention Community Outreach.
Pelvic Health Program
Our pelvic health program began in 2015 and has since grown exponentially. The Pelvic Health Program consists of 6 physical therapists at four outpatient centers in Philadelphia, King of Prussia, Glen Mills, Chalfont, PA, and Voorhees, NJ. CHOP is one of three institutions part of the Multi-Institutional Bladder Exstrophy consortium and the most vital driver of the involvement of pelvic health physical Therapy. We collaborate closely with our Gastroenterology Motility Center, Center for Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Center for Bladder and Voiding Function. We have presented our work at many international and national conferences and family education-focused events.