Physician Assistant - Pediatric Surgery Fellowship

Texas Children's Hospital • Houston, TX

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The Surgery PA Fellowship Programs at Texas Children’s Hospital are the first of
its kind in the country to provide a specialized training opportunity
specifically for PAs.

The PA fellowship programs at Texas Children’s Hospital was established in 2013.
The program has evolved and together the three programs have contributed to the
integration and success of the TCH Department of Surgery:

• The Surgery PA program offers an intensive 12-month didactic and clinical
pediatric training program ensures a unique opportunity to gain hands-on
experience in a full spectrum of pediatric surgical subspecialties, including
congenital heart surgery, ENT, general pediatric surgery, hand/microsurgery,
neurosurgery, orthopedic, otolaryngology, plastic and reconstructive surgery,
surgical hospitalists, transplant, trauma, and urology.

• The Community PA program is an intensive 12-month didactic and clinical
pediatric training program ensures a unique opportunity to gain hands-on
experience in a full spectrum of pediatric surgical subspecialties, including
ENT, general pediatric surgery, plastics, orthopedic, surgical hospitalists and
urology.

• The Orthopedic PA program offers an intensive 12-month spectrum of
orthopedic super-subspecialties, including Cerebral Palsy, General orthopedic,
hip, inpatient, lower extremity, spine, sports, trauma, upper extremity, and
general orthopedics.

These one-year programs include clinical pediatric surgical subspecialty
experience, dedicated research time, and specialty workshops including suture,
cadaver and simulation labs. Training will be provided in clinics, on the
surgical floors and in the operating room and will involve pre-, intra- and
post-operative care. Learn more about our curriculum:

The program is led by Dr. Larry Hollier, Surgeon-in-Chief, Medical Director;
Kris Marsack, MS, PA-C, Academic Program Director; Jacqueline Broda, PA-C,
Program Director; Jordan Rodriguez, Project Manager, and Angel McKnight, PA
Fellowship Academic Coordinator.
This fellowship program is suitable for both new PA program graduates as well as
experienced PAs who would like to redirect their future career in a surgical
subspecialty.

Upon successful completion of the program, a certificate will be awarded from
the Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Surgery.

The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the PA (ARC-PA) has granted
Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program status to the Texas Children’s
Hospital Surgery, Community and Orthopedic PA Fellowships sponsored by Texas
Children’s Hospital. Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program is the status
of accreditation granted when a new or currently accredited clinical
postgraduate program is in compliance with the Standards for Clinical
Postgraduate Programs. Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate program remains in
effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or
until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards,
ARC-PA requirements or procedures. Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program
does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more
than five years from matriculation of the first class. Texas Children’s Hospital
Surgery PA Fellowship Program anticipates a site visit review of its application
for continued Clinical-Postgraduate Accreditation status in October 2024.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at
https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/
[https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation/accredited-programs/]

Program Goals:
The goal of the Surgery PA Fellowship Programs is to:

• Acquire knowledge of all pediatric surgical subspecialties within Texas
Children’s Hospital to allow for appropriate assessment, diagnosis, treatment
and management of the pediatric surgical patients in a busy children’s hospital
setting
• Strengthen physical assessment skills essential for the care of the
pediatric and adolescent surgical patient
• Develop baseline understanding of indications and associated benefits,
risks, and potential complications related to the diagnosis and treatment of
specific surgical diagnoses and procedures using scientific evidence
• Develop graduated responsibility in providing care to patients including
assisting surgical procedures
• Develop skills in performing invasive procedures
• Provide fundamental knowledge on the PA first-assist role within the
operating room
• Provide opportunities to explore the PA professional role
• Experience the PA collaborative role among the healthcare team and other
medical disciplines within Texas Children's Hospital
• Integrate a knowledge base necessary to educate patients and families
• Learning how to critically review and apply the pediatric surgical
literature to clinical practice

Requirements

• Required Bachelor's Degree
• Required Master's Degree in Physician Assistant/ Associate Studies
• Completed career application with current Curriculum Vitae
• One-page personal statement focusing on why you are interested in the Surgery, Community or Orthopedic PA Fellowship programs
• One professional recommendation letter

Nice To Haves

• Preferred current board certification for PA or scheduled PANCE
• Preferred current or Temporary Texas PA License with the Texas Medical Board

Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of Physician, PA and NP team, utilizes advanced practice knowledge and skills to systematically collect and evaluate health assessment data
• Under the direct supervision of a PA, consistently demonstrates effective communication skills and works to eliminate communication barriers
• Under the direct supervision of a PA, provides educational resources for the patient and family
• Under the direct supervision of a PA, consistently applies new knowledge relevant to pediatric nursing to clinical practice
• Under the direct supervision of a team, demonstrates current professional, managerial, and/or technical knowledge and skills

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level