Neurological Vision Rehabilitation Fellowship Program

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation’s fellowship program, which is accredited by the American Occupational Therapy Association, provides an intensive, 12-month experience. This occurs concurrently with clinical practice as a treating therapist in the outpatient and inpatient settings. The fellow will attend specialty conferences, monthly physician-led rounds, special interest groups, in-services and outside seminars. This fellowship program collaborates with Jeffrey Becker, OD, of the NeuroSensory Center of Eastern Pennsylvania.

Curriculum

The program combines clinical mentoring, the opportunity for advanced clinical practice, didactic information and specialty learning.

Fellowship program goals will be achieved through a combination of formal and informal educational methods and roles:

  • Direct care provision as well as mentored clinical practice in outpatient vision program services of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. Clinical mentors have specialty training and backgrounds in areas including:
    • Neuro optometry
    • Vision rehabilitation
    • Vestibular rehabiltation
    • Brain injury rehabiltation
    • Spinal cord rehabilitation
    • Stroke rehabilitation
    • Neuro IFRAH technique
    • Locomotor training
    • Motor control
    • Sports rehabilitation
    • Interactive Metronome
    • Functional Movement Systems (FMS)
    • Adult autism
    • Didactic learning and structured mentoring sessions
    • Participation in clinical research projects
    • Participation and leadership in Neurologic special interest groups
    • Community outreach, endeavors project

Fellowship Course Sequence

  • Weeks 1-2
    • Orientation to institution
  • Weeks 3-8
    • Educational Curriculum
      • Visual neuroanatomy lectures
      • Instruction of use of specialized equipment
      • Psychosocial Article Review
  • Months 3-12
    • Applied Clinical Experiences
      • Direct patient care
      • Mentoring sessions
      • Self-study
      • Observations
  • Months 4-12
    • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
  • Months 3, 6, 9, 12
    • Evidence-Based Best Practice Article Review and Reflection
  • Months 10-12
    • Projects
    • Local college collaboration for guest lecturing
    • Development of community outreach program or service
  • Months 8-12
    • Participation in clinical research projects, which may include:
      • Collaborating with organization’s research experts
      • Analyzing clinical data
      • Contributing to best practice/outcomes

Faculty

Mentorship is a crucial element of developing advanced clinical skills. Good Shepherd has highly advanced clinical practitioners in the follow specialty areas:

  • Neuro optometry
  • Vision rehabilitation
  • Parkinson’s BIG and LOUD program
  • Vestibular rehabilitation
  • Brain injury rehabilitation
  • Spinal cord rehabilitation
  • Stroke rehabilitation
  • Neuro-IFRAH technique
  • Locomotor training
  • Motor control
  • Sports rehabilitation
  • Interactive Metronome
  • Functional Movement Systems (FMS)
  • Adult autism
  • Clinical research

Application Requirements

The following are prerequisites for an individual to meet in order for them to enter the fellowship program: 

  1. Graduate of NBCOT accredited occupational therapy program
  2. Proof of current AOTA membership
  3. Submit a current resume
  4. Applicants are required to submit 2 letters of recommendation
  5. Demonstrate interest in further professional development as documented in the personal statement for admission
  6. Successful completion of the program will require the fellow to complete approximately 12 months in length.  This will encompass all clinical, didactic and mentoring components of the program. The total program consists of four weeks of neuro-optometric training with a licensed optometrist and eleven months full program of fellowship to follow.  
  7. Formal interview
  8. Current Pennsylvania license by start of the fellowship date
    a. Full licensure means passing  board exam and currently in possession of a valid Pennsylvania state occupational therapy license.  Good Shepherd reserves the right to withdraw an applicant’s offer if no proof of full licensure is made available.
    b. Out-of-state applicants are encouraged to initiate their Pennsylvania licensure at the same time an application is made to the program. 

Click here for personal data sheet.

Click here for application.

Contact Information

Mail      

Neurological Vision Rehabilitation Fellowship Program 
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation
850 S. 5th St.
Allentown, PA 18103

Cost

Fellowship Tuition

Residency Tuition: $3,800 (includes specialty education with program directors and optometry, and web-based continuing education courses.)

Fellows are paid for 40 hours a week of clinical, teaching and education time. Salaries are not yet set and are subject to change.

Each fellow is responsible for the purchase of personal textbooks, and additional supplies and educational material.  Information on requirements will be given during orientation.

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: June 15
  • Program acceptance notification will be given by July 20
  • Program Start: Flexible start date within the month of September

Good Shepherd is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their  race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law.