Prospective Fellows

The Orthopaedic Surgery Physician Assistant Fellowship Program offers four physician assistant fellow positions each year. A salary is paid to each physician assistant fellow participating in the program. In addition, a benefit package including medical & dental benefits, vision insurance, county holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, CME days, long term disability, basic life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, professional liability or malpractice insurance, worker’s compensation insurance, Employee Assistance Services (EAS) and uniforms will be provided by the Program. Once accepted by the Program, applicants are responsible for the costs of their ACLS/BLS certifications, DEA license, and Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) membership. No additional costs are incurred by applicants. Program does not provide housing for eligible applicants. 

APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Eligible applicants will be considered based on fellowship program-related criteria such as their academic performance, clinical experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement, interview performance, diversity and inclusion commitment. Completing an orthopaedics clinical rotation while in PA school is strongly encouraged.

The program will not discriminate with regard to sex, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, national origin, disability, creed, ancestry, martial status, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected status.

Rolling admission process allows for year-round applications.  Start date varies depending on applicant's ability to begin program and complete credentialing process.  All applications received will be reviewed.  All applicants are given an equal opportunity to interview.  Applicants are informed in writing via email of their interview date and time.  The interview panel may consist of the program director, medical director, program coordinator, and senior PA.

All applicants who are accepted or declined are informed in writing.  The accepted candidate must respond in writing accepting their position as Orthopaedic PA Fellow and successfully completing pre-employment requirements prior to final acceptance in the program.

Note: We do not provide individual feedback on why an applicant was not accepted into the program.

MINIMUM APPLICATION DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must be either United States citizens or permanent residents. We currently do not sponsor visas. Applicants must be or will be graduates of a Primary Care PA program.

All applications received will be reviewed and all candidates will be given an equal opportunity to interview.  An interview is mandatory for admission to the Program.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR YOUR APPLICATION TO BE CONSIDERED COMPLETE:

1. Application (PA Fellowship Application https://www.ruhealth.org/sites/default/files/Application.doc
2. Three (3) current letters of recommendation from the following:
   1. Letter from program director (if applicant has completed PA program in last two years).
   2. Or letter from current employing physician if currently working as Physician Assistant and graduated greater than two years ago.
   3. Two letters from recent supervising physicians or PAs.
3.  Official transcripts from the Primary Care PA Program attended sent electronically over a secure platform. If you have not graduated yet, send transcript to date now and final transcript will need to be sent after graduation. GPA 3.0 or greater is required.
4. A copy of Primary Care PA program graduation diploma or certificate, or if still a student, your program director must verify your status as a student in good standing and your anticipated graduation date.
5. Curriculum Vitae
6. Personal Statement--This should be a brief statement of interest and motivation for Orthopaedic Surgery including how you became interested in the field, what attracted you to it, and future goals and career plans.
7. Recent photograph

The application and other required items should be sent to:
Kelly Miranda MPT, PA-C
k.miranda@ruhealth.org
RUHS Medical Center
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
26520 Cactus Ave.
Moreno Valley, CA 92555

APPOINTMENTS

Applicants who successfully selected in the program must provide the following additional documentation prior to the start of the program:

• Official license to practice as a Physician Assistant in California
• Copy of diploma from Accredited Primary Care Physician Assistant Program
• Proof of DEA licensure application submission (The applicant is responsible for the cost of this license.)
• An official copy of NCCPA certification
• Copy of valid ACLS and BLS cards (The applicant is responsible for the cost of these certifications.)
• If required documentation is in different name, then proof of name change (ie., marriage certificate or court document) must be provided.
• If any required documents are in a language other than English, than a translation of the documents must be provided.

In addition to the above, prior to appointment date, the applicant must have successfully completed all RUHS pre-employment requirements, including, but not limited to, a pre-employment physical and Department of Justice background check.

Failure to provide any required documents or to successfully complete all pre-employment requirements by the date of appointment will result in automatic withdrawal from training program.

Program Requirements & Policies:

Licensure and Certification Requirements

ACLS/BLS Certification: 

PA Fellows are responsible for the cost of renewal of their ACLS/BLS certifications.  Costs varies starting at approximately $125.00 and up.

DEA License:

PA Fellows are responsible for the initial licensure and recertification costs of their DEA license.  Costs varies starting at approximately $888.00 and up.

Memberships

PA Fellows are responsible for the cost of their Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) membership. Cost varies starting at approximately $125.00 annually.  Membership is not required, but recommended.

Academic Standards

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance for didactic and clinic rotations is expected of all PA Fellows.  If the PA Fellow fails to comply with the attendance of required courses, then disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with such policy.

Graduation Requirements:

Successful completion of the fellowship program requires the PA Fellow to obtain a cumulative score of 80% in both the didactic examinations and clinical performance evaluations.  Ultimately, the PA Fellows shall demonstrate sufficient professional ability to practice competently as a Physician Assistant in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Duty Hours:

The regulations on residency set forth by the ACGME are always adhered to.  Details regarding duty hours are given to the PA Fellow at orientation.

Moonlighting:

Moonlighting is not tolerated during the PA Fellowship.

Technical Standards

Physical Abilities  

• Mobility:  Ability to move independently and safely around clinical settings, including standing, walking, and maneuvering in confined spaces.
• Motor Skills: Sufficient fine motor skills to perform examinations, procedures, and manipulations required in patient care, such as suturing, palpation, and administering injections.
• Strength and Endurance: Ability to lift, carry, and position patients, as well as endure prolonged periods of physical activity during clinical rotations and emergencies. 
• Sensory Abilities: Normal or corrected vision, hearing, and tactile sensation to accurately assess patient conditions and respond to verbal and visual cues.

Cognitive Abilities 

• Critical Thinking:  Capacity for critical analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making in dynamic clinical environments, including the ability to synthesis complex information and formulate appropriate treatment plans.
• Memory and Recall:  Ability to acquire, retain, and recall large volumes of medical knowledge, procedural skills, and patient information.
• Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with patients, families, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals, as well as to document patient encounters accurately and comprehensively. Emotional Intelligence:
• Aptitude for self-awareness, empathy, and professionalism in managing challenging patient interactions, stressful situations, and interpersonal dynamics within healthcare teams.

Behavioral Abilities

• Professionalism:  Commitment to ethical principles, confidentiality, integrity, and respect for patient autonomy and diversity, as well as adherence to professional standards and regulations.
• Collaboration:  Ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, including sharing information, seeking input, and contributing to shared decision-making.
• Adaptability: Flexibility and resilience to adapt to changing clinical scenarios, patient needs, and learning environments, as well as openness to feedback and continuous improvement.
• Stress Management: Capacity to cope with the demands and pressures of medical training and practice, including self-care strategies, seeking support when needed, and maintaining overall well-being. 

 

Supervision

• While on call you will initially be supervised by an Ortho resident until it is determined that you can take solo call. During inpatient duties/call shift, you will have 24-hour access to a senior Ortho resident and attending physician if there are questions or concerns. 
• Initially, during the training phase, the PA Fellow is supervised for procedures, physical exams, and development of treatment plans of patients treated in the clinic, ER and floor by either the program director, Senior Ortho resident, and/or Attending surgeon.  The Fellow is not expected, nor should they perform any procedure in which, they have not been supervised on, nor feel competent in completing the procedure on their own.  The PA Fellow will be able to observe a procedure, perform a procedure under supervision, and then when deemed competent by an Attending surgeon, Senior resident, or PA director to perform the procedure without supervision. These procedures will be documented on proctoring forms required by the med staff office to fulfill credentialing protocol. 
• The Fellow shall order consultations and testing on behalf of the attending physician following discussion with the attending or resident physician.  This may be documented by the Fellow in the note.  Any consult requested by another service may be seen by the Fellow.  ALL consults should be discussed with the Senior Ortho Surgery resident and or attending on duty.  If the patient is critically ill, then the Fellow shall immediately discuss the consult with the on-call Attending/ Senior Resident.  Each consult completed by the PA Fellow is reviewed and cosigned by the Attending physician.
• Supervision in the OR is by a senior resident, attending, program director or senior physician assistant.  The PA Fellow has direct supervision in the OR.