APP Fellow (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) - Acute Care Surgery

APP Fellowship in Acute Care Surgery

One-year fellowship focuses on clinical experiences as well as a robust didactic curriculum, to provide well-rounded education intended to fully prepare an APP for a full-time position in specialty areas. Primary fellowship role is dependent on specialty area and may include opportunities to learn in various settings (i.e., inpatient, OR, clinic, ICU) and work towards clinically relevant competencies and procedural competencies as applicable. APP Fellow will be required to attend academic sessions and/or complete presentations/lectures/QI projects as determined by APP Fellowship Coordinator or APP Fellowship Director. APP Fellows will be supported throughout the fellowship by the APP Best Practice Center, department APPs, APP mentors, physician fellows and physician leaders. APP Fellow schedule will align with other department/practice area APPs but may include some additional clinical and academic requirements determined by APP Fellowship Director and approved by department.

Specialty APP Fellow Summary: The Acute Care Surgery (ACS) APP Fellow will be exposed to a wide array of specialties and practice environments within the department of surgery with monthly rotations that will include the Surgical/Trauma/Burn ICU, burn surgery, trauma surgery, acute care and general surgery, as well as additional elective rotation opportunities. The role of the fellowship is to better prepare APPs for practice within various aspects of the acute care surgery field, including OR, outpatient clinics, inpatient floors, step-down units, and the ICU. The APP fellow will have the opportunity to learn various aspects of acute care surgery, including a variety of ICU procedures, burn debridement, responding to trauma activations, and some first-assist opportunities in the OR. Additionally, fellows will be expected to participate in weekly didactic lectures, monthly grand rounds, M&M lectures, monthly journal clubs, and SIM lab training. APP fellows will be supported by APPs within each ACS specialty and an assigned APP mentor, as well as resident, fellow and attending physicians.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter as part of the application, highlighting how the fellowship aligns with the applicant's career aspirations. Applicants chosen for interview will be required to send 3 letters of recommendation to the department prior to their interview.

Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Salaried (exempt)

Hours per week: Clinical schedule which will vary with each monthly rotation with additional didactic requirements Scheduled Work Hours/Shift: October 2026 through September 2027. Will rotate between 13 12-hour or 15 8-10 hour shifts per month which will include nights, weekends, and some holiday coverage

Patient Population Focus Acute Care Surgery

Patient Population Age Range 13 years-death

Required Minimum Training and Experience Completion of an accredited Physician Assistant program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant or completion of an accredited Nurse Practitioner Program and currently licensed or eligible for licensure as an APRN as noted below.

Physician Assistant or APRN

• AGACNP/ACNP (Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP/Acute Care Nurse Practitioner): Adult pts (13 years to death), acutely ill or injured, potentially unstable, or technologically dependent (vents, drips, monitors, etc.)
• APRNs must have RNFA (registered nurse first assist) certification prior to starting the fellowship.

Required Experience: None. APP Fellowship is geared for new graduates and for experienced APPs wanting to change practice specialties.

Degree of Supervision Advanced Practice Registered Nurse or Physician Assistant will be assigned a Primary Supervising/Collaborating Physician employed by MUSC and will report directly to this physician, APP Manager, and APP Fellowship Director.

Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations

All certifications must be current and complete prior to start date:

Basic Life Support (BLS)

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS)

DHEC and DEA license applications must be started prior to first day

Job Duties (list job tasks)

Provides direct care to patients through the following activities:

• Takes comprehensive history and performs physical examinations
• Evaluates and treats on the basis of history, physical examination, radiological, laboratory, and other diagnostic test results pursuant to the practice agreement or scope of practice guideline
• Performs therapeutic procedures in accordance with procedural privileges, skill and proficiency as approved by the Clinical Division Chief (see Specialty Specific Items below).
• Initiates referrals to other health care providers, and/or consults with the attending physician or the collaborating physician
• Documents and bills for direct care provided when appropriate
• Utilizes current research and evidence-based decision-making in all clinical practice
• Performs and participates in quality/performance improvement activities and clinical research
• Participates in and supports accreditation, compliance, and regulatory activities of the organization
• Demonstrates responsibility for professional practice through active participation in professional organizations and continuing education
• Attends education and academic sessions as determined by APP Fellowship Coordinator or APP Fellowship Director
• Completes presentations, lectures, QI projects or other academic requirements as set by MUSC APP Fellowship Director or Department
• Participates in required MUSC APP Fellowship activities
• APRN or PA must maintain licenses, certifications, CNEs/CMEs, etc. as required by applicable policies and state law
• Specialty Specific Items:
• ICU procedures, such as:
• Central venous line placement
• Arterial line placement
• Endotracheal Intubation
• Bronchoscopy
• Paracentesis
• Thoracostomy tube placement
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Assist with bedside procedures
• Suturing/stapling
• Removal of catheters/tubes/drains
• First assisting in the OR
• Responding to activations in the trauma bay
• Point of care ultrasounds

Physical Requirements

Continuous requirements are to perform job functions while standing, walking and sitting. Ability to bend at the waist, kneel, climb stairs, reach in all directions, fully use both hands and legs, possess good finger dexterity, perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders, reach in all directions. Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. Maintain 20/40 vision corrected, see and recognize objects close at hand and at a distance, work in a latex safe environment and work indoors. Frequently lift, lower, push and pull and/or carry objects weighing 50 lbs (+/-) unassisted, exert up to 50 lbs of force, lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. Infrequently work in dusty areas and confined/cramped spaces.

The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.