Surgical Physician Assistant Fellowship Program at Norwalk Hospital

Our program’s focus is in-depth education reinforced by hands-on experience. Fellows divide their year between Northwell’s Norwalk Hospital and Danbury Hospital. The program is designed so that the curriculum at one institution effectively complements the other.

PA Curriculum:

• Comprehensive daily lecture series
• Hands-on instruction
• Workshops
• Weekly/monthly conferences
• Journal club
• Case presentations
• Multidisciplinary rounds

Clinical instruction and patient care responsibilities in general and multi-specialty surgery 
to include:

1. Thoracic and vascular
2. Colorectal
3. Genitourinary
4. Orthopaedic
5. Plastic/reconstructive surgery
6. Neurosurgery
7. Trauma
8. Otolaryngology
9. Trauma and acute care surgery
10. Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
11. Minimally invasive surgery
12. Bariatric surgery

Northwell Health’s ACP Fellowship Programs offer a comprehensive curriculum through a structured year-long series of daily lectures. Instruction covers general surgery and the subspecialties, clinical anatomy, specialty topics, and evaluation of specific organ systems. Also included are managing surgical emergencies, trauma complications and every aspect 
of post-operative management.

Other elements of the program include time in the simulation lab which includes procedural training as well as ultrasound training. Workshops are conducted throughout 
the year to enhance surgical technique, while procedural workshops are held periodically to reinforce competence. Attendance is required at monthly conferences including: surgical grand rounds, trauma rounds and periodic morbidity and mortality conferences.

The importance of our PA’s role at Northwell’s Norwalk Hospital cannot be overstated. 
PAs constitute the surgical house staff, taking an active role in the assessment, management and daily care of patients. PAs provide 24-hour coverage, including night and weekend on-call hours, staffing the hospital floors, the OR and the ICU.

At Northwell, we strive to deliver exceptional care to our patients and our community every day. When it comes to benefits, we want our surgical residents to have the coverage they need to take excellent care of themselves and their families. Our residents receive a comprehensive and competitive program with valuable coverage and the flexibility to 
choose the options that work best for them.

Eligible Northwell Health team members in Connecticut may choose to enroll in the following benefits:

• Medical and prescription drug coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• Basic life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Thirty-four days Paid Time Off (PTO) each academic year

Additional voluntary benefits include:

• Pet insurance
• Auto and home insurance
• Employee discount program
• Critical illness insurance

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program status to the Northwell’s Norwalk Hospital’s PA Surgical Fellowship Program.

Accreditation-clinical postgraduate program remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards, ARC-PA requirements or procedures.

Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate Program does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

Below you will find the eligibility criteria and process for Northwell Health’s ACP Fellowship Program at Norwalk Hospital.

Eligibility Criteria*

• Educational Requirements: Applicants must have graduated from an accredited PA program and hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Applicants must have passed or be eligible for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) exam when the program begins.
• Licensure: PA trainees may hold a Connecticut temporary PA license while a valid state license is in process.
• Experience: No PA experience in a practice is required. We encourage new graduates to apply.

Application through Offer Acceptance Process

• Application Submission: Applicants must submit a completed application form, including a personal statement, curriculum vitae (CV), unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and three signed letters of recommendation (one must be from a PA Program Director, Academic or Clinical Coordinator) by the application deadline. If an applicant is far removed from PA training, an exception may be made at the discretion of the program administrator. Late applications will not be considered. Please note the program reserves the right to request official transcripts at any time during the application process.
• Interview: Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with the admissions committee. Interviews may be conducted in-person or virtually.
• Notification: Applicants will be notified of their admission status in writing, via email.
• Offer Acceptance: Applicants must sign and return the Fellowship employment contract and complete any required pre-fellowship  documentation and background checks.

Pre-boarding through Orientation

• Onboarding: Complete all onboarding requirements, including health screenings, credentialing, and training on hospital policies and procedures.
• Orientation: An in-class orientation occurs during the first week of the program.

*This policy will be reviewed annually in the spring and updated as necessary to reflect changes in accreditation requirements and best practices.

Below outlines the criteria and process for the successful completion of Northwell Health’s ACP Fellowship Program at Norwalk Hospital, ensuring fellows meet all required competencies and standards.

Completion Criteria*

• Clinical Competency: Demonstrate proficiency in care of the patient, medical/surgical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systemsbased practice as assessed by supervising physicians and faculty.
• Evaluations: Receive satisfactory evaluations in all rotations and clinical assignments. 
This includes meeting or exceeding expectations in performance reviews.
• Examinations/Presentations: Successfully pass all required in-training exams including the PANCE exam (within one year of graduation) and any other assessments mandated by the residency program.
• Procedural Skills: Complete all required procedural skills and successfully pass a procedural competency examination.
• Professional Development: Participate in required professional development activities, including workshops and seminars.

Evaluation Process

• Regular Assessments: Residents will undergo regular assessments throughout the program, including reviews and end-of-rotation evaluations.
• Feedback Sessions: Participate in feedback sessions with the program director and faculty to discuss progress and areas for improvement.
• Self-Assessment: Residents are encouraged to perform self-assessments to reflect on their growth and identify areas needing further development.

Remediation and Support

• Individualized Learning Plans: For residents who do not meet completion criteria, an individualized learning plan will be developed to address deficiencies.
• Additional Training: Provide opportunities for additional training or rotations to help residents meet required competencies.
• Educational Support: For residents that need additional educational support, resources will be identified such as tutoring, books, virtual or in person resources.

Certification and Graduation

• Certification: Upon successful completion of all program requirements, residents will receive a certificate of completion from the residency program.
• Graduation: PA trainees will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony and any associated events. If a PA trainee has not successfully passed the PANCE exam at the time of graduation, they may walk with the class. However, the program certificate will be held for one year from the graduation date. If after the one-year period, the PA still has not successfully completed the PANCE exam, the certificate will be withdrawn.

Appeals Process

• Right to Appeal: Residents have the right to appeal decisions related to their completion status. Please see the ‘Appeals policy.’

*This policy will be reviewed annually in the spring and updated as necessary to reflect changes in accreditation requirements and best practices.

Below outlines the terms and conditions* of employment for Physician Assistant (PA) trainees during their fellowship program. Please note, employment is not guaranteed upon program completion.

Employment Terms

• Duration: Employment is contingent upon the duration of the fellowship program, which is 12 months in length.
• Position: PA trainees are employed in a training capacity and are expected to fulfill all educational and clinical requirements of the residency program.
• Compensation: Trainees will receive a stipend/salary and benefits as outlined in their employment contract. Benefits include health/dental/vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, holidays and paid time off, and other applicable benefits.

Responsibilities

• Clinical Duties: Perform clinical duties under the supervision of attending physicians and faculty. This includes patient care, documentation, and participation in clinical rounds.
• Educational Activities: Attend educational sessions, including lectures, workshops, and seminars. Complete all assigned readings and assessments.
• Professional Conduct: Maintain professional behavior at all times, adhering to Northwell Health policies and ethical standards.

Performance Evaluation

• Regular Reviews: Trainees will undergo regular performance evaluations to assess clinical skills, knowledge, and professional behavior including but not limited to end of rotation, quarterly, and end of year.
• Feedback: Constructive feedback will be provided to support professional development and address any areas of concern.

Completion and Certification

• Program Completion: Successful completion of the residency program requires meeting all clinical and educational milestones.
• Certification: Upon successful completion of the program and all requirements, trainees will receive a certificate of completion from the residency program.

Post-Completion Employment

• No Guarantee of Employment: While it is the goal of the program to hire its own trainees, successful completion of the fellowship program does not guarantee employment at Norwalk Hospital or any affiliated institutions.

*This policy will be reviewed annually in the spring and updated as necessary to reflect changes in accreditation requirements and best practices.

Below you will learn more about our established guidelines* for the progression of PA trainees through their training program to ensure they meet the required competencies and milestones.

Progression Criteria

• Competency-Based Milestones: PA trainees must achieve specific milestones in the care of the patient, medical/surgical knowledge, practicebased learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and systems-based practice as defined by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) or relevant accrediting body.
• Performance Evaluations: Regular evaluations will be conducted by faculty based on clinical performance, procedural skills, and adherence to professional standards.

Examinations:

• Each PA trainee must successful complete the PANCE exam, in-training exams and other required assessments.

Evaluation Process

• Quarterly Reviews: PA trainees will have formal evaluations by the clinical staff at the end of each clinical rotation. Feedback sessions with the program administrator occur regularly and formally every 3-4 months.
• Self-Assessment: PA trainees are encouraged to perform self-assessments to identify areas for improvement and set personal goals.

Remediation and Support

• Individualized Learning Plans: For PA trainees who do not meet progression criteria, an individualized learning plan will be developed to address deficiencies.
• Additional Training: Provide opportunities for additional training or rotations to help PA residents meet required competencies.
• Educational Support: For residents that need additional educational support, resources will be identified such as tutoring, books, virtual or inperson resources.

Graduation

• Successful completion of the PANCE exam (up to one year post graduation) and all program requirements, including clinical rotations, evaluations, and examinations, is necessary for graduation from Northwell’s Norwalk Hospital Surgical PA Fellowship Program.

Appeals Process

• Right to Appeal: PA trainees have the right to appeal decisions related to their progression. Please see the ‘Appeals policy.’

*This policy will be reviewed annually in the spring and updated as necessary to reflect changes in accreditation requirements and best practices.

The below policy* outlines the appropriate use of technology by physician assistant trainees enrolled in to ensure patient safety, data security, and effective communication within the healthcare environment.

Scope

• Physician assistant trainees have access to the same technology resources as other employed bedside clinicians at Northwell.

Acceptable Use

• Electronic Medical Records (EMR): Residents must use EMR systems in compliance with hospital protocols. Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient information.
• Communication Tools: Use hospital-approved communication tools (e.g., secure messaging apps, email) for patient-related communications. Nonsecure messaging apps or personal email should not be used for patient communication.

Data Security

• Confidentiality: Maintain the confidentiality of patient information. Do not share passwords or leave devices unattended.
• Access Control: Access to patient records and hospital systems only for legitimate clinical purposes. Unauthorized access is strictly prohibited.

Training and Compliance

• Training: Complete mandatory training on the use of EMR, telehealth platforms, and data security protocols.
• Compliance: Adhere to all hospital policies and procedures related to technology use. Non-compliance may result in disciplinary action.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitoring: The hospital reserves the right to monitor the use of its technology systems to ensure compliance with this policy.
• Reporting: Report any breaches of this policy or security incidents to the program administrator and/or IT department immediately.

*This policy will be reviewed annually in the summer and updated as necessary to reflect changes in technology and regulatory requirements.