US Navy Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Fellowship

LT Michael A. Mitchell, PA-C, MPASFellowship Program Director

History The US Navy Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Fellowship and Additional Qualification

Designation (AQD 6HL) was approved in December 2000 with the first Navy physician assistants attending the US Air Force Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Residency at Malcolm Grove Medical Center

Because of the increased training requirements, the Navy Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Fellowship was begun in 2001 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. In 2010, the Fellowship became fully accreditated by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistants, Inc (ARC-PA).

The Naval Medical Center Portsmouth is a tertiary military treatment facility with numerous post-graduate medical education programs including orthopaedic surgical residency

The Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Fellowship is modeled after the Air Force’s Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Residency and is a 12 month didactic, clinical and surgical Fellowship that trains the physician assistant in diverse orthopaedic clinical and surgical skill to assist in the management of orthopedic patients

Mission StatementTo train selected U.S. active duty Physician

Assistants to provide comprehensive, high quality patient care and surgical assistance in the field of orthopaedic surgery through a balanced curriculum of academic, surgical exposure, clinical care and mentored self improvement.

Curriculum

This is a one-year program of instruction that emphasizes the practical development of specialized knowledge and clinical skills in orthopaedics including the subspecialties of Sports Medicine, Hand, Foot and Ankle, Orthopaedic Trauma, Spine, Total Joint and Pediatrics

The student practices within the scope of practice as a physician assistant under the supervision of an orthopaedic surgeon. Instruction is provided by staff instructors consisting of credentialed orthopaedic surgeons and orthopaedic physician assistants

Didactics

Throughout the 12 months of training, the PA attends weekly conferences of orthopaedic formal lectures, journal clubs, indications conferences and morbidity and mortality meetings.

A comprehensive reading list including orthopaedic basic science, general orthopaedic topics and orthopaedic specialty specific topics is provided.

The PA also receives supervised instruction in cadaver dissection of the musculoskeletal system to enhance the knowledge of surgical anatomy.

During training, the PA Fellow will received periodic written quizzes and formal examinations in general orthopaedic topics as well as in each orthopaedic specialty area

Clinical

The year consists of clinical rotations in each of the orthopaedic subspecialty clinics.

Rotations include general orthopaedics (Hand, podiatry, total joints, and orthoses), pediatric orthopaedics, and spine

Rotations also include outpatient clinic evaluations, perioperative care of orthopaedic surgical patients, surgical assisting and first trauma call responsibilities

The PA Fellow will assume responsibilities at the level of PGY-2 orthopaedic surgical resident.

At all times the PA Fellow will be under direct supervision of the orthopaedic staff

Additional

Call – expect every 4-5 nights Clinic – 2 days per weekOperating Room – 2 days per weekMorning report daily with case

presents to peers, residents and staffWard/Rounds: DailyQuizzes after each rotation; rotations

are 1-2 months

Entry RequirementsThe US Navy Orthopaedic Physician

Assistant Fellowship has the following admission requirements:

◦All applicants must be an active duty Navy Physician Assistant

◦All applicants must have at least two (2) years of primary care or Family Practice experience

◦All applicants must meet Navy standards for permanent change of station

◦All applicants must have current NCCPA Certification

Admission Process and Selection The US Navy Orthopaedic Physician Assistant Fellowship seeks career

military physician assistants who have demonstrated motivation in this specialty and who desire the challenges and rewards of practicing in Orthopaedic surgery

Candidates are selected through the Medical Service Corps Duty Under Instruction (MSC DUINS) Board annually

See BUMEDINST 1520.40A for procedures

All candidates will be interviewed by program director, medical director and senior orthopaedic surgeons and application packages will be reviewed

A report of the interview and recommendations by the program director is sent to the DUINS board via the PA Specialty Leader as part of the application package

Important dates

Applications due to specialty leader 01 Jun, one year prior to start date

Notification of selection: per MSC DUINS Board. Normally by September

Report date June

Program start date: 01 July

Credentials Awarded

Upon graduation, the Physician Assistant will receive certification of completion from the United States Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED)

Orthopaedic PA supplemental credentials in accordance with BUMEDINST 6320.66D

50 CME hours through AAPA

Obligation

Obligation time is 2 for 1. For the 1 year of training, you will owe 2 years as a Navy Orthopaedic physician assistant

Follow on tours will be discussed usually at the 6 month training mark

Expectations BE PROFESSIONAL…. be polite and courteous to everyone at all times. BE A TEAM PLAYER – pitch in and help the team in any way necessary to get

the tasks accomplished. COMMUNICATE – write clear notes, ensure proper follow-up BE PROMPT– be on time for report, in clinic, in the OR and at lectures. BE EFFICIENT – learn to prioritize and make things flow faster BE AGGRESSIVE – show initiative and assume responsibility for your education BE THOROUGH – DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING when interviewing and

examining patients. BE PREPARED – read daily, anticipate questions you will be asked. Practice

procedures, suturing, etc. KNOW YOUR PATIENTS AND KNOW YOURSELF. BE APPRECIATIVE AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF!

ResponsibilitiesMandatory attendance at all

training events

Be on Time!

Ask Questions

Read everyday

Questions?

Bone and Joint Sports Medicine InstituteNaval Medical Center Portsmouth, VA(757) 953-1845 or (757) 953-1814Every day is different, so be fluid; flexible is too rigid!