USOPC Sports Medicine Fellowships
The USOPC sports medicine department offers fellowship opportunities in the areas of athletic training, physical therapy, and psychological services.
USOPC sports medicine is proud to offer fellowship positions for qualified athletic trainers, physical therapists and mental health providers. This 12-month, immersive program offers licensed professionals the unique opportunity to support Team USA while developing the skills, experience and knowledge in preparation for employment in elite-level athletics.
I credit the fellowship to developing the skills I need for a career in elite sports medicine, ultimately leading to my career with Team USA. This program offers in-depth, empowering learning experiences and unmatched opportunities to support elite-level athletes.
Olivia Rowland, USOPC Health Care Services Provider and former PT fellow
Athletic Training Fellowship#
- Master’s degree in athletic training
- Two (2) years of clinical experience with a minimum of 1 year of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- Current Health Care Provider CPR (further emergency medical training preferred)
- Manual therapy experience
Responsibilities
- Complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of sports medicine clinical practice
- Complete a minimum of 400 hours of sports coverage at athletic venues
- Complete a minimum of 100 mentored hours, one-on-one with a sports medicine interdisciplinary staff member
- Participate in a minimum of 200 hours of planned educational experiences 100 hours
Curriculum Overview
- Rehabilitation and clinical care for Team USA athletes
- Practice coverage for Team USA athletes
- Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring in sports medicine services
- Research opportunities
- Bi-weekly interdisciplinary sports medicine educational lecture series
- Quarterly journal clubs
- Didactic programming
- Chief Medical Officer clinic observation
- Procedural Observation (i.e. corticosteroid injections, PRP
For additional insight into the fellowship curriculum for the AT and PT fellowships, view the proposed educational units.
Application Requirements
- Cover letter (pdf or word)
- Resume or CV (pdf or word)
- 3 letters of recommendation – at least 2 must be from clinicians in the sports medicine field
Application Timeline
- Applications will open March 1st and close April 30th
- Screening and first round virtual interviews will occur in the month of May
- Finalists invited to interview in-person at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in the month of June
- Offers will be extended by beginning of July
Physical Therapy Fellowship#
Option A
- Minimum of 1 year of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- Completion of a ABPTS Sports Physical Therapy or Orthopedic Physical Therapy Fellowship
- Dual credential in athletic training OR emergency medical response for the athlete (ERA) training
- Current Health Care Provider CPR
Option B
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in sports medicine after licensure
- ABPTS Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) or Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS)
- Dual credential in athletic training OR emergency medical response for the athlete (ERA) training
- Current Health Care Provider CPR
Responsibilities
- Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of sports medicine clinical practice
- Complete a minimum of 200 hours of sports coverage at athletic venues
- Complete a minimum of 100 mentored hours, one-on-one with a sports medicine interdisciplinary staff member
- Participate in a minimum of 200 hours of planned educational experiences
Curriculum Overview
- Rehabilitation and clinical care for Team USA athletes
- Practice coverage for Team USA athletes
- Direct 1:1 clinical mentoring in sports medicine services
- Research opportunities
- Bi-weekly interdisciplinary sports medicine educational lecture series
- Quarterly journal clubs
- Didactic programming
- Chief Medical Officer clinic observation
- Procedural Observation (i.e. corticosteroid injections, PRP
For additional insight into the fellowship curriculum for the AT and PT fellowships, view the proposed educational units.
Application Requirements
- Cover letter (pdf or word)
- Resume or CV (pdf or word)
- 3 letters of recommendation – at least 2 must be from clinicians in the sports medicine field
Application Timeline
- Applications will open March 1st and close April 30th
- Screening and first round virtual interviews will occur in the month of May
- Finalists invited to interview in-person at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in the month of June
- Offers will be extended by beginning of July
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)#
Unlike most residency and fellowship programs, this program allows for a 100% case load of athletes that compete for Team USA. This program allows for a fully immersive experience with Team USA that helps prepare clinicians for employment in elite-level athletics. The fellowship allows one to learn from and work side by side with a variety of disciplines within the sports medicine and sport performance field to truly be part of a high-performance team.
PT & AT Fellows
This varies throughout the year based on competition season. Typically, the fellow will provide patient care at the Colorado Springs Olympic and Paralympic Training center approximately 40 hours/week. The work week will include athlete evaluations, rehabilitation, testing, and sideline coverage for practices. The fellows attend formal didactic sessions and have additional learning opportunities as well. Some of these opportunities include formal and informal mentorship by multidisciplinary experts in sports medicine, weekly athlete rounds, journal clubs, procedure observations, and a bi-weekly sports medicine lecture series.
During the application window, you can apply for the fellowship on USOPC.org/Careers. Within the job posting, you will click 'Apply Now' and continue with submitting the application.
An applicant should demonstrate a strong academic background, excellent work ethic and desire for continued learning. Candidates should have excellent communication skills and desire to be immersed in a collaborative work environment with a wide array of disciplines/specialties. Candidates should have experience working with athletes and a sports medicine team, as well as significant continuing education that indicates interest in the sports medicine field. They should possess intellectual and social awareness. Applicants should also desire to have a career in elite athletics. Having a passion for the Olympic and Paralympic movements is preferred.
Applicants must be licensed in athletic training or physical therapy, or working towards state licensure as a psychologist. Unfortunately, international applications are not eligible for this program.
The program accepts one fellow for each area (athletic training, physical therapy, psychological services) annually.
We're very proud of the alumni from our program! Past fellows have gone on to work in a range of elite and professional sports organizations, including:
- American Hockey League
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- World Tennis Association