APP Residency Program

The DOC Orthopedic and Pain APP Residency is a 12-month, full-time training program built around how orthopedic teams actually work—APP and physician-led, focused on developing confident, procedurally skilled clinicians. Residents are actively involved in patient care, clinical decision-making, and procedural training from day one, with responsibility increasing progressively as competence grows.

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APP Residency
APP Residency

Train Alongside the Best and Practice at the Top of Your Scope

The DOC Orthopedic APP Residency combines clinical exposure with structured education, procedural workshops, and continuous mentorship—designed to accelerate your development as an orthopedic and pain APP.

About DOC
20+
Expert Physicians
Ready to Train & Mentor
100%
Post Graduation
Job Placement Rate
4
Hours of Protected Didactic Education Per Week

Our Program at a Glance

The DOC APP Residency combines clinical exposure with structured education, procedural workshops, and continuous mentorship. Residents train across the Dallas–Fort Worth region alongside experienced orthopedic APPs, pain APPs, physical therapists, pain physicians, and orthopedic surgeons.

Program Duration

12 Months (Full-Time)

Program Focus

Orthopedic and pain-focused training with emphasis on procedural skill development, diagnostic reasoning, and collaborative care across orthopedic and pain teams.

Clinical Experience Includes

  • Orthopedic and pain clinic experience
  • Direct patient evaluation and treatment planning
  • Procedural training and hands-on skill development
  • Surgical first assist and operative exposure
  • Real-time clinical decision-making with APP mentors

Learning Components

  • APP-led training model with physician collaboration
  • Protected weekly didactic education (4 hours/week)
  • Monthly procedural workshops
  • Structured mentorship and performance feedback
  • Focused musculoskeletal pain management curriculum

Applicant Requirements

  • NCCPA certification or eligibility
  • Texas Medical Board license (or ability to obtain)
  • DEA registration (for practicing applicants)
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • Personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation (for graduates)
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PT Program

What a Typical Week Looks Like In Our APP Program

Residents spend the majority of their week in orthopedic and pain clinics working alongside experienced APP mentors. Teaching occurs continuously through real-time case discussion, with structured didactic sessions and dedicated time for learning and skill development built into the weekly schedule.

  • Clinical patient care in orthopedic and pain clinics
  • Protected didactic sessions (4 hours weekly)
  • Procedural training and workshops
  • Case reviews and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Mentorship with APP faculty and physician collaborators

What You’ll Master

The residency develops competency across the full scope of orthopedic and pain APP practice—from diagnostic reasoning and imaging interpretation to procedural skills and operative exposure. Training is reinforced through daily clinical work, weekly didactics, and dedicated procedural workshops throughout the year

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Diagnostic Skills

  • Comprehensive orthopedic history and physical examination
  • Musculoskeletal diagnostic reasoning
  • Radiographic interpretation across common orthopedic views
  • Identification of acute and chronic orthopedic pathology
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluation

Procedural & Technical Skills

  • Ultrasound-guided joint and soft tissue injections
  • Aspiration procedures
  • Fracture reduction techniques
  • Splinting, casting, and fracture follow-up care
  • Surgical first assist and operative exposure

Clinical Management

  • Acute orthopedic injuries and sports-related conditions
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Postoperative orthopedic follow-up and management
  • Progressive patient responsibility as competence grows

MSK Pain Management

  • Evaluation of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions
  • Injection-based treatment strategies
  • Clinical decision-making at the orthopedic–pain intersection
  • Dedicated pain management curriculum rarely covered in other programs

Frequently Asked Questions

This residency is built for clinicians seeking a structured, intentional path into orthopedic and pain practice—whether you’re a new graduate looking for guided, hands-on training or an experienced provider transitioning from another specialty. Ideal applicants have a strong interest in musculoskeletal medicine, value mentorship and accountability, and are ready to grow in a fast-paced, high-expectation clinical environment.

This is not an on-the-job learning environment. The residency provides a structured curriculum, protected didactic time, procedural training, and continuous mentorship—allowing for faster, more comprehensive skill development in orthopedic and pain medicine.

Residents are actively involved in patient care from day one, including evaluating patients, interpreting imaging, developing treatment plans, and performing procedures. Surgical first assist and operative exposure are also built into the program.

Most of the week is spent in orthopedic and pain clinics working alongside APP mentors. Residents also participate in 4 hours of protected didactic education each week, along with procedural training and case-based learning.

The program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Candidates can apply before or after graduation by submitting a Residency Interest Form, after which the program team will provide next steps and cohort availability.

Graduates are prepared to enter orthopedic and pain practice with advanced clinical and procedural skills. Alumni have gone on to work in general orthopedics, sports medicine, spine, hand and upper extremity, pain management, and orthopedic urgent care.
jason

More Questions?

Jason Lee, DMSc, PA-C

Orthopedic Specialist

jason.lee@directorthocare.com
DOC

Step Into Orthopedic and Pain Practice

Train within an orthopedic system, work alongside experienced clinicians, and build the skills to confidently manage a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions. The DOC APP Residency is designed to accelerate your growth—clinically, professionally, and collaboratively.

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