Physician Assistant

Job Summary

The Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship Program at Texas Children's Hospital is the first of its kind in the country to provide a specialized training opportunity specifically for physician assistants. This intensive12-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, general pediatric surgery, hand/microsurgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, surgical hospitalists, transplant, trauma, and urology.

The one-year program includes clinical pediatric surgical subspecialty experience, dedicated research time, and specialty workshops to include 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 Magda C. Gonzalez, PA Fellowship Academic Coordinator.

This fellowship program is suitable for both new PA program graduates as well as experienced physician assistants who would like to plan and/or 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 pediatric surgery PA fellowship program at Texas Children's Hospital was established in 2013. The fellowship program has evolved, grown, and has proven that physician assistants are integral in the success of the department of surgery.

Texas Children's Hospital Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship Program has applied for Postgraduate Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Texas Children's Hospital Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship Program anticipates review of its application for Postgraduate Accreditation - Provisional status at the February 2022 ARC-PA meeting.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program status to the Texas Children's Hospital Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship 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. The program's accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-texas-childrens-hospitalsurgery-physician-assistant-fellowship-pg/

Mission:

Texas Children's Hospital's Mission statement is to support excellence in patient care, education and research with a commitment to quality service and cost-effective care to enhance the health and well-being of children locally, nationally and internationally.

Texas Children's Hospital Physician Assistant Surgical Fellowship Program Mission statement is to provide a dynamic pediatric surgical training experience for physician assistants enabling them to provide the highest level of care and create a healthier future for pediatric patients. At the largest Pediatric institution in North America, PA fellows will gain foundational knowledge through simulated workshops, skills labs, cadaver labs and a lecture series to help increase their surgical knowledge base while working alongside world-class surgeons and ancillary staff. By rotating through multiple pediatric surgical subspecialties, PA fellows gain remarkable operative technical skills and become accomplished pediatric surgical providers. The PA fellows receive training in the clinics, operating rooms, inpatient floors, and ICUs where they will become proficient in pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care. Our PA fellows will receive vital exposure under appropriate supervision, to basic and advanced surgical concepts and techniques, that will help them gain confidence and experience necessary to practice in a wide variety of pediatric surgical subspecialties in academic and private settings.

Program Goals:

The goal of the Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship Program 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 Graduated responsibility in providing care to patients including assisting surgical procedures Develop skills in performing invasive procedures Provide fundamental knowledge on the physician assistant first-assist role within the operating room Provide opportunities to explore the physician assistant professional role Experience the physician assistant 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

Finances:

$65,000 will be offered in addition to the following:

* Professional liability insurance
* $75,000 group term life insurance
* Two white coats
* Paid time off (PTO) accrual

Additional benefits offered:

* Medical insurance
* Dental insurance
* Life insurance
* Short term disability insurance
* Long term disability insurance
* Prescription drug program
* Health Care reimbursement account
* Retirement program

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

* Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any booster dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control when eligible, is required for all employees at Texas Children's unless approved for a medical or religious exemption
* Required Bachelor's Degree and Master's Degree in Physician Assistant Studies
* Preferred current board certification for PA or scheduled PANCE and current or Temporary Texas PA License with the Texas Medical Board
* Completed career application with current Curriculum Vitae
* One-page personal statement focusing on why you are interested in the Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship program
* One professional recommendation letter

Company Profile

Since 1954, Texas Children's has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being

consistently ranked as the best children's hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S.News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city's Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years.

Texas Children's comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children's Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children's care for communities north of Houston. We have also created the nation's first HMO for children, established the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the

world. Texas Children's Hospital is also academically affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of

the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation.

To join our community of 14,000 dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities. You can also learn more about our amazing culture at infinitepassion.org. At Texas Children's Hospital, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission for all of our patients and families that we serve. We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment for all faculty, staff and learners throughout our organization. We believe that each member of our one amazing team provides enrichment that allows us to create a lasting legacy for future employees of this great organization.

Texas Children's is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.