Become an Orthopedic Specialist with the DOC PA Residency Program

Are you an orthopedic advanced practice provider (APP) seeking a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on patients’ mobility and quality of life, while advancing your career? Direct Orthopedic Care’s PA Residency Program may be a perfect fit for you.

Whether you’re a generalist or trained in another specialty, this program offers a clear pathway to specialize in high-demand areas like acute orthopedic care, non-operative sports medicine, regenerative medicine, and injury prevention.

As a resident, you’ll gain hands-on experience diagnosing and treating complex orthopedic issues, working closely with orthopedic surgeons, and building skills for roles that may not otherwise be accessible.

Completing our residency offers several advantages:

1. Specialized Skills: You will receive in-depth training in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues, improving your competence and confidence in providing orthopedic care.
2. Hands-on Surgical Experience: You can gain significant operating room experience and learn orthopedic procedures under expert guidance, which is valuable if you’re interested in surgical or procedural roles.
3. Enhanced Autonomy: By learning advanced clinical and procedural skills, you will be able to assume more responsibilities, work more independently, and make higher-level decisions for patients.
4. Expanded Career Opportunities: Your specialized skills will be highly sought after by orthopedic practices, hospitals, and sports medicine clinics, which can lead to opportunities for increased compensation and career advancement.
5. Mentorship and Networking: By working alongside experienced orthopedic surgeons and specialists, you can build relationships and receive mentorship, which can be critical for your career development and ongoing professional support.

PROGRAM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

At DOC, our mission is to provide you with the clinical and surgical skill sets necessary to practice efficient, effective, and ethical orthopedic care with the highest levels of competence and compassion in both clinical and surgical settings.

We will help you develop and master the science and art of clinical and surgical orthopedics through robust clinical, didactic, and professional training. 

Topics and skills presented include, but are not limited to:

• Fracture reduction and stabilization
• Radiographic interpretation
• Soft tissue injury evaluation
• Surgical anatomy
• Surgical first assist
• Splinting and casting
• Joint injections and aspirations
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound use
• Regenerative medicine
• Clinical evaluation and treatment of both acute and chronic orthopedic pathology
• Practice building
• Practice and treatment ethics
• Clinical leadership
• Professional development

CURRICULUM

Our curriculum consists of three main areas: academics, clinical skills, and professional development and leadership.

The didactic portion is modeled after the first-year orthopedic surgery residency curriculum for physicians and combines elements from the Orthobullets residency curriculum with topics from the Orthopedic Certificate of Additional Qualification (CAQ) exam for PAs.

This curriculum aligns with that of first- and second-year orthopedic surgery residents (MDs and DOs), enabling you to build a comprehensive foundation of orthopedic knowledge within a year.

As a resident, you’ll gain hands-on experience in outpatient clinics, assist in surgeries, and explore key areas like radiology, musculoskeletal ultrasound, sports rehab, regenerative medicine, and pediatric orthopedics. You’ll also rotate through specialties such as sports medicine, joint replacement, upper extremity, spine, orthobiologics, and pediatrics.

To ensure you’re prepared, we begin with an in-depth orientation, equipping you with essential skills for both the academic and clinical aspects of the program. In addition, you’ll participate in intensive, on-the-job training, workshops, and a tailored professional development course covering topics beyond clinical knowledge, like finance, practice-building, conflict resolution, and motivational interviewing.

“The DOC PA Residency Program offers a unique path for APPs to truly specialize in orthopedics and make a tangible impact on patients’ lives. We blend hands-on clinical training with professional development, focusing on the skills that improve both career opportunities and patient outcomes,” says Jason Lee, DMSc, PA-C Program Director – APP Residency, at Direct Orthopedic Care. “Our residents leave with the confidence to handle complex orthopedic cases, from nonoperative management to surgical assistance. It’s incredibly rewarding to see them grow into skilled practitioners who change lives every day.”

QUALIFICATIONS

The DOC PA residency program is seeking highly energetic physician assistants and nurse practitioners who are passionate about orthopedics and eager to improve their clinical skills and knowledge in building a successful nonoperative orthopedic practice. 

This residency is ideal for candidates committed to developing advanced skills in nonoperative and clinical orthopedics, as well as those looking to gain valuable experience in the operating room, in first assisting, and in perioperative care. 

We’re looking for adaptable, collaborative individuals ready for the challenges of an intensive, hands-on program that combines clinical practice with professional growth in areas like finance, leadership, and patient communication. If you’re ready to deepen your expertise in orthopedics, we encourage you to apply.

ADMISSIONS

We accept applications on a rolling-basis and launch multiple cohorts each year.

We award interviews based on evaluation of your CV, educational transcripts, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

If you are accepted, you must apply for a Texas PA license.

REQUIREMENTS

• You must be a graduate from an ARC-PA-accredited physician assistant program.
  
• NCCPA-certified applicants may also apply and interview, if eligible.
  

You must also provide:

• Transcripts from your physician assistant program 
• Two letters of recommendation
• Your current CV
• A personal statement
• A Texas PA license (or pending application)

PROGRAM BENEFITS

• Salaried role during residency
• Health insurance, dental, vision, 401K, PTO (two weeks)

If interested in applying, please contact the Residency Director Jason Lee at jason.lee@directorthocare.com and provide the following information: a current CV, PA school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement.

Founded by a team of orthopedic surgeons, Direct Orthopedic Care (DOC) clinics were established in 2014 as standalone, walk-in orthopedic care facilities in Boise, Idaho. As we discovered just how many people were searching for more affordable, direct access to high-quality orthopedic specialists, we were inspired to expand this model into other cities and states. Click here to learn more about our locations and telehealth options.