This AGREEMENT for the FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN (OMPT) ORTHOPAEDIC MANUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY ("Agreement") dated as of:

is entered into by and between the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy (NAIOMT) OMPT Fellowship Program (“PROGRAM”), and:

The above first and last name will hereinafter be referred to as "Fellow-in-training".

RECITALS:

A. WHEREAS, PROGRAM operates an advanced OMPT FELLOWSHIP training program for eligible physical therapists (Fellows-In-Training) seeking an educational experience (both academic and clinical) to be Fellowship- trained, join the registry of NAIOMT-trained OMPT Fellowship graduates and qualify to apply for the credential of Fellow with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT); and

B. WHEREAS, Fellow-in-training desires to participate in the Program to obtain the educational experience to qualify for the above referenced credential.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:

1. INCORPORATION OF RECITALS:

The recitals set forth in paragraphs A through B above are hereby incorporated into this Agreement. The parties enter into this Agreement as a full statement of their respective responsibilities hereunder.

2. OBLIGATIONS OF THE FELLOW-IN-TRAINING:

A. Fellow-in-training shall meet the following eligibility criteria for participation in the Program:

1. Demonstrate proof that they can legally be employed in the United States.
2. Demonstrate that they currently hold a physical therapy license in good standing in the United States jurisdiction(s) where they will be practicing as a Fellow-in-training.
3. Demonstrate proof of individual/personal malpractice/liability insurance coverage with a professional consulting services rider, with plans to maintain that coverage throughout the fellowship-training period.
4. Demonstrate that there are no referral-for-profit arrangements (physician-owned practice) in place at any site where the fellowship or any of its components takes place.
5. Documentation of a minimum of one year (2000 hours) of clinical practice in orthopedic physical therapy.
6. Meet the current admission criteria for the fellowship program.
7. Demonstrate proof of membership with APTA and AAOMPT.
8. Must have completed at least three out of the five required COMT Series (previously 500-600 level) courses and associated post-course tests.
9. All five required COMT Series courses (previously 500-600 level) and required post-course tests must be completed within 12 months following Fellowship admission.
10. Complete an interview with the NAIOMT Fellowship Director or equivalent.
11. Demonstrated ability to utilize on-line communications.
12. Have completed a written agreement for clinical mentoring with a NAIOMT-approved clinical fellowship instructor (CFI) that includes a contract and a learning agreement (CFP#2A and #2B)
13. Sign pledges of academic honesty and financial commitment.
14. Submit a completed application form, supporting documentation and a non-refundable application fee.
15. Submit documentation and signed agreements and an admission fee, prior to admission.

B. Fellow-in-training shall meet the following additional criteria for participation in the Program:

1. Hold a valid Physical Therapy license in all jurisdictions where the clinical components of the Fellowship will be competed
2. Have excellent verbal and electronic communication skills.
3. Adhere to all policies of non-discrimination
4. Be physically able to appropriately perform manual examination and manual therapy treatment procedures.
5. Have the psychological, social and physical stability required for participation in and successful completion of the Program.
6. Has been selected by the Program's admission committee based on the eligibility criteria set forth in Subparagraphs 2A through 2B of this paragraph and a review of certain other factors, including, but not limited to: Fellow-in- training's background, education, and experience, including relevant teaching and research experience, references, and clinical skills.
7. Understand the graduation requirements for the NAIOMT Clinical Fellowship Program.
8. Have read and understand the published and provided fellowship program information and the consequences of exceeding the fellowship timeline, and will endeavor to complete all graduation requirements within that timeline.
9. Understands their responsibility to schedule their courses and examinations.
10. Any special learning needs or physical limitations have been discussed with the instructor and or program director and have been incorporated into their individualized learning plan.
11. Recognize any problems or difficulties and seek assistance and/or promptly report concerns. Understand the resources available and grievance policy within the program as well as with AAOMPT's complaint process.
12. Understand that acceptance into the program does not guarantee graduation.
13. Understand that they are responsible for the pacing, scheduling and/or facilitating the educational experiences and examinations. Also understands the passing criteria and timelines for examinations.
14. Understands the policies and procedures for sick leave, remediation and dismissal from the program
15. Are responsible for coordinating the fellowship documentation with their clinical instructors and ensuring the submission of documentation electronically at regular intervals (minimum very 6 months) during the fellowship.
16. Agree to permit NAIOMT to use email address for internal NAIOMT surveys and communications, including submitting the address to other registered active NAIOMT fellows-in-training, and to external accreditation agencies  (AAOMPT, IFOMPT).
17. Agree to maintain patient/client privacy and follow HIPAA guidelines in maintaining the privacy and security of both paper and electronic patient/client information, including during and after in-person and distance patient interactions
18. Understand the policies and procedures for the protection of human subjects consistent with the type of research or project being conducted.

C. Fellow-in-training shall participate in the FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM as follows and attempt to successfully complete the participation and graduation requirements of the fellowship:

1. Graduation requirements (per July 15, 2020)
   1. 1269 hours of didactic & clinical training over a minimum of 12 months and within the fellowship timeline.
   2. All NAIOMT Fellowship core courses: C-705, 715, 720 and 725 
   3. A minimum of 5 REQUIRED online modules 
   4. Fellowship Project plus online research and publication training course = 65 hours.
   5. Effective Mentoring for the Advanced Clinician online course (7 hours)
   6. 40 hours of logged technique practice.
   7. 14 hours lab assisting on one COMT 1-5 level course
   8. 150 clinical mentoring hours, consisting of at least 75 direct 1:1 in-person hours.
   9. 700 clinic practice hours.
   10. A minimum of 90% of the caseload must be orthopedic.
   11. A patient population log (CFP#3A) of primarily the patients during the clinical hours must be provided.
   12. Clinical mentoring with a NAIOMT-approved CFI who has the FAAOMPT or equivalent credential.
   13. A maximum of 20% in each category (=15 hours + 15 hours) can be achieved with a non-NAIOMT faculty/CFI who has the FAAOMPT or equivalent credential
   14. All parts of the NAIOMT examinations
   15. All required in-fellowship live patient examinations, case evaluations, self and CFI evaluations, program evaluations and patient population logs.
   16. Achieved competency at or beyond minimum standards in the learning objectives.
   17. Ongoing collection of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction data.

D. Fellow-in-training shall make payments to the PROGRAM

1. Admission fee and annual dues prior to the admission date
2. Payment of annual dues fee on a yearly basis
3. Pay “as you go” for NAIOMT courses, elective courses, clinical mentoring and examinations
4. At graduation, pay a graduation fee that includes the calligraphied certificate
5. Payments are non-refundable after the class or event has taken place. Payments made for future activities are non- refundable unless they meet the cancellation criteria for that event.

E. Fellow-in-training shall

Conform to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, rules of conduct and professional codes of ethics and privacy as are applicable to PROGRAM.

Fellow-in-training acknowledges that the above laws, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, rules of conduct and professional codes of ethics may be amended from time to time, and Fellow-in-training hereby agrees to be bound by and adhere to any such amendments.

Fellow-in-training agrees to perform at a satisfactory level as determined by the PROGRAM

F. Fellow-in-training

Agrees to participate in effective, safe, and compassionate patient care, commensurate with Fellow-in-training’s level of advancement and responsibility.

The Fellow-in-training also acknowledges that NAIOMT is not responsible for their health insurance, liability insurance or worker’s compensation coverage; these are the Fellow-in-training responsibility (or the responsibility of their employer if the clinical mentoring is taking place at their site of employment)

3. OBLIGATIONS OF NAIOMT:

NAIOMT and the NAIOMT OMPT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM shall:

1. Develop the curriculum for the Program in accordance with the guidelines developed by the “Description of Advanced Specialty Practice (DASP) 2018, AAOMPT” or subsequent updates.
   The NAIOMT OMPT Fellowship curriculum is also informed by:
   1. The Mission, goals and objectives of NAIOMT and of the fellowship Program.
   2. The Educational Standards for OMPT training of IFOMPT (International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists) 2016
   3. The AAOMPT/ACOMPTE requirements for accredited fellowship programs in OMPT.
   4. The Educational Standards for OMPT Training of AAOMPT (American Academy of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists). 2011
2. Supervise Fellow-in-training's classroom and clinical training and coordinate the provision of clinical fellowship instructors (CFI) for the Program that meet eligibility criteria.
3. Provide Fellow-in-training a comparable high quality program wherever the didactic and clinical mentoring occurs, while recognizing that the program supports an eclectic approach to OMPT.
4. Provide educational supplies, materials, and equipment used for instruction during the Program and provide easily accessible web-based resources
5. Identify resources for the development and completion of the Fellow-in-training’s fellowship project.
6. Provide Fellow-in-training with orientation information about the Program and Clinical Fellowship Instructors Safeguard, keep secure and maintain records of personal and fellowship progression information
7. Prior to permitting the Fellow-in-training to begin the clinical mentoring, NAIOMT and the clinical fellowship instructor at the clinical facility will determine that Fellow-in-training meets all appropriate and necessary State and/or Federal requirements for physical therapy licensure in the relevant jurisdictions.
   Facilitate reasonable classroom or conference room space during the clinical mentoring.
8. Have the Fellowship Director available via e-mail, web-based communication or in person on designated office hours for consultation on fellowship questions, concerns and progression, and for remediation or counseling.
9. Permit designated personnel at the site of the clinical mentoring to participate in the Program to enhance Fellow-in- training 's education if such participation does not interfere with the personnel's regular service commitments.
10. Have the right to exclude or dismiss the Fellow-in-training from participation in the Program, if the PROGRAM determines that Fellow-in-training is not performing satisfactorily, or fails to continue to meet the eligibility standards set forth in Paragraphs 2.A.1 – 2.A.5 above, or is not complying with PROGRAM's policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
11. Have the right to withhold certificate of completion upon completion of the Program if the Fellow-in-training fails to perform at a satisfactory level during assessment of the Fellow-in-training’s performance on any of the following criteria:

The graduation certificate will not be issued if the Fellow-in-training has not Completed the posted requirements for graduation from the NAIOMT fellowship program, that includes:

1. 1. Completed the minimum requirements of hour and evaluations in each category
   2. Successfully completed the research-related project
   3. Satisfactory completion of all NAIOMT examinations 
   4. Satisfactory completed the required number of clinical live patient examinations, case evaluations, self and CFI evaluations, program evaluations and patient population logs
   5. Achieve satisfactory reviews on the majority of the learning objectives
   6. Clinically managed a sufficient number of each of the body region on the patient logs
   7. Performing ongoing collection of clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction data
   8. Paid annual dues, graduation fees and all fees for didactic and clinical education

4. TERMINATION:

A. This Agreement shall be effective commencing upon Fellow-in-training admittance to the PROGRAM and at execution of this agreement, and terminating upon graduation from PROGRAM.

This Agreement may also be terminated immediately without notice if the PROGRAM, in its sole discretion, concludes that Fellow-in-training’s behavior, performance or professional conduct does not comply with the terms of the PROGRAM’S policies and procedures, rules of conduct, professional or ethical standards, or with any other requirements of this Agreement, or Fellow-in-training’s academic progress is unsatisfactory, or Fellow-in-training fails to continue to meet the eligibility standards set forth in Paragraphs 2.A. through 2.F. above.

B. Fellow-in-training agrees that if this Agreement expires or is terminated, Fellow-in-training shall immediately deliver to PROGRAM all property in Fellow-in-training 's possession or under Fellow-in-training 's control belonging to the PROGRAM.

C. Participation in the Program does not entitle Fellow-in-training to employment by any NAIOMT organization or affiliation upon completion of the Program. Fellow-in-training understands and agrees that Fellow-in-training will not be given special consideration for employment and that PROGRAM has not made any representation as to the availability of future employment.

D. Any written notice given in connection with the Program or this Agreement shall be sent, postage prepaid, by person(s) to: NAIOMT OMPT FELLOWSHIP Program, Attention: Fellowship Director at the NAIOMT address.

5. REMEDIATION:

The Program with offer a remediation plan for those Fellow-in-training who are not meeting expected levels of performance, are not successfully completing projects or examinations or are falling behind in their planned timeline. Those who are not successful with the remediation plan may be dismissed from the program and their active fellow-in-training status terminated.

6. CANCELLATION:

PROGRAM reserves the right to cancel the Program after an offer letter may have been accepted, before the beginning of a session, because of changes in levels of funding, inadequate staffing, insufficient enrollment or other operational reasons.

In the event of a cancellation, NAIOMT will refund the entire amount of fees and advance tuition paid by the Fellow-in- training. NAIOMT shall have no obligation to pay wages or a stipend, or provide any of the benefits described in this offer letter for any period after the program has been cancelled.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PROPRIETARY MATTERS:

A. Fellow-in-training shall keep in strictest confidence information relating to this Agreement and all other information, which may be acquired in connection with or as a result of this Agreement. During the term of this Agreement and at any time thereafter, without the prior written consent of NAIOMT, Fellow-in-training shall not publish, communicate, divulge, disclose or use any of such information, which has been provided, by NAIOMT or which from the surrounding circumstances or in good conscience ought to be treated by Fellow-in-training as confidential.

B. Fellow-in-training expressly agrees that he/she shall not use any information provided to Fellow-in-training by NAIOMT in activities unrelated to this Agreement.

C. Upon NAIOMT’s request, or at termination or expiration of this Agreement, Fellow-in-training shall deliver all records, data, electronic media information and other documents and all copies thereof to NAIOMT, and at NAIOMT’s option, provide satisfactory evidence that all such records, data, electronic media, information and other documents have been destroyed. At that time, all property of NAIOMT’s in Fellow-in-training’s possession, custody or control will be returned to NAIOMT. All materials used as a resource and all materials created under this Agreement shall be the sole property of NAIOMT.

D. The confidentiality provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.

8. PUBLICITY:

Contractor shall not, without the prior written consent of NAIOMT, use in advertising, publicity or otherwise the name of NAIOMT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, or refer to the existence of this Agreement in any press releases, advertising or materials distributed to prospective customers or other third parties.

 

9. NOTICES:

All notices required under this Agreement shall be in writing, and shall be deemed sufficiently given if personally delivered or deposited in the United States mail, certified and postage prepaid and addressed to the respective parties as listed on page 8. These addresses may be changed by written notice given as required by this Section 13.

 

10. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS:

Fellow-in-training shall perform all work under this Agreement in strict compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.

 

11. WAIVER:

A failure of either party to exercise any right provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any right hereunder.

 

12. MODIFICATIONS:

No modification, amendment, supplement to or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties unless made in writing and duly signed by both parties.

 

13. SURVIVING SECTIONS:

All obligations under this Agreement that are continuing in nature shall survive the termination or conclusion of this Agreement.

 

14. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION:

The language in all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against either Fellow-in-training or Program. Section headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and are not to be construed as a part of this Agreement or in any way limiting or amplifying the provisions hereof. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular, or plural, as the identifications of the persons, firm or firms, corporation or corporations may require.

 

15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT:

This Agreement contains the final, complete and exclusive agreement between the parties hereto. Any prior agreements, promises, negotiations or representations relating to the subject matter of this Agreement not expressly set forth herein is of no force or effect. This Agreement is executed without reliance upon any promise, warranty or representation by any party or any representative of any party other than those expressly contained herein.
Each party has carefully read this Agreement and signs the same of its own free will.

 

16. JURISDICTION:

This Agreement is made and entered into in the State of Oregon, and shall in all respects be interpreted, enforced and governed by and under the laws of that State.

 

17. EXECUTION:

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and all such counterparts together shall constitute the entire Agreement of the parties hereto.

 

18. SEVERABILITY:

The provisions of this Agreement are specifically made severable. If any clauses, provision, right and/or remedy provided herein is unenforceable or inoperative, the remainder of this Agreement shall be enforced as if such clause, provision, right and/or remedy were not contained herein.

 

19. AUTHORIZATION:

The undersigned individuals represent that they are fully authorized to execute this Agreement on behalf of the named parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

Section to be completed by Fellow-in-training

Section to be completed by Fellowship Program Director