Critical Care APP Fellowship


Applications for the Fall 2024 cohort are now open through April 1, 2024!

How to Apply about Critical Care APP Fellowship

Program Overview

More information about the fellowship curriculum, assessment, graduation requirements, and more.

Learn More About the Fellowship

How to Apply

Learn more about the program application requirements, deadlines, and standards.

Get Application Info

Meet Our Team

Get to know the faculty and staff that work with our APP Fellowship residents.

Get to Know Our Team

APP Critical Care Fellowship Details

The Emory Center for Critical Care NP/PA post graduate Fellowship is a one-year training program that teaches fellows to become highly skilled in the multidisciplinary, collaborative and evidence-based management of complex patients in the intensive care unit. This program attracts new graduates seeking a structured educational program, who want to become experts and leaders in their field.   

Our program is unique, in that it combines a highly detailed competency-based curriculum with hands-on learning in the clinical setting.  

Rotations incorporate medical, general surgical, trauma, and neurological ICUs as well as brief exposures with nephrology, and infectious disease services. Fellows will also spend a month in the operating room getting hands on training with lines and endotracheal tubes.  

Upon completion of the program the fellow will find employment within the Emory Center for Critical Care and become leaders within the center.   

APP Fellow Locations

Our APP Fellows practice in various states across the country

Mission Statement

Our mission is to prepare certified Physician Assistants and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners to practice the specialty of critical care medicine as members of a multi-professional team.

Our Vision

Our vision is to provide an educational pathway for certified Physician Assistants and Acute Care Nurse Practitioners which imparts a strong didactic background as well as an intense, practical clinical experience and establishes high levels of proficiency and critical thinking skills in the practice of multidisciplinary critical care medicine.

Deadlines

  • Applications for the November 2024 cohort are now open through April 1, 2024
  • Interviews will be held in April 2024.

Acceptance and Program Start Dates

  • Notification of your acceptance will be received within 2 weeks of your interview
  • Program start dates are  May 2024 and November 2024.

What is the average number of applicants per cohort and how many APPs are accepted into the program?

Our program conducts recruitment twice a year, specifically in the Spring and Fall. We typically receive around 25-45 applications for each cohort and admit a maximum of 6 APP fellows per biannual cycle.

How long is the program?

The program has a duration of one year. Core ICU rotations encompass MICU, SICU, Neuro ICU, CICU, and an OR/Airway experience. Additional core rotations, that are typically 2 weeks long, cover ID, Renal, and ECHO. A period of 1-3 months is allocated to Grady Hospital, our community-based Level I trauma center, where fellows can choose from rotations in MICU, SICU, Trauma/Burn, CTS, and Neuro ICUs. Lastly, the final 4-6 weeks are dedicated to specialty rotations, facilitating a smooth transition into a staff position within Emory Critical Care.

How many ICUs are available for training purposes during the residency and are they all located at Emory Hospital?

Rotations will occur at Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital, Emory Decatur Hospital, Emory John’s Creek Hospital and Grady Hospital.  We continuously explore additional sites for clinical exposure.  There are over 20 different ICUs established within these locations which treat a variety of complex critically ill patients. 

What happens if there is a reduction in the class size or closure of the APP Fellowship program?

In the event of reduction in size or closure of ECCC NP/PA Fellowship program, the current NP/PA trainees would be assigned a full-time staff position within one of the ICUs within Emory Healthcare. Any notification regarding the closure of these programs will be disseminated publicly on the APP Fellowship website. Additionally, in the case of program closure, recruitment and admissions of additional APP fellows would cease.

Does Emory Healthcare have a sufficient quantity of physicians, fellows, and affiliate providers to supervise and train an individual taking into consideration his or her level of experience and comprehension? Are they willing to take time to teach at my level of understanding?

Yes. We ensure that each rotation is designed to provide the APP fellow with an optimal autonomous learning experience. Our dedicated staff, comprising of clinical preceptors and bedside mentors, is committed to delivering high-quality education while offering appropriate oversight and supervision during clinical rotations. Program faculty and staff operate under the supervision of an Emory Healthcare (EHC) attending physician with the necessary clinical privileges.

The program is intentionally structured to facilitate the progression of responsibility as the APP fellow gains experience, and our staff recognizes the importance of aligning the learning experience with the fellow's evolving expertise. APP fellows have the ability to reach out to their primary preceptor and the program director for any concerns. They are expected to adhere to the same communication standards with bedside mentors, clinical preceptors, and supervising physicians as the APPs follow.

Our commitment is to develop a competent critical care practitioner.

How much is the fellowship salary?

The salary undergoes an annual review determined by market analysis. Currently, the fellowship offers an annual salary of $77,500. As an employee of Emory Healthcare (EHC), the APP fellow is not subject to tuition or program fees. APP fellows enjoy the full spectrum of employment benefits, akin to staff APPs, encompassing, but not limited to, paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and health insurance.

In the event of voluntary departure or dismissal from the program, there is no financial penalty for not completing the program. However, APP fellows should anticipate standard living and transportation expenses throughout the program year.

Does Emory offer a relocation stipend or housing for APP fellows?

No.  Emory does not offer a relocation stipend or housing. However, we do have a robust alumni group and introduce our incoming cohort to our current fellows and alumni so that they can be a resource for relocation and program questions.

Is there a mentorship program?

Yes. We pair each new APP fellow with one of our alumni to provide support and be a resource during the year long program.

Is there a work commitment after graduation from the program?

No. There is no commitment to work for Emory post graduation.

If our graduates choose to stay on staff then they are eligible for an incentive bonus at the end of the their 1st and 2nd years of employment.

Do I receive benefits?

APP fellows are considered full time employees of Emory Healthcare, therefore they will be eligible for full employee benefits including health care, 401K, PTO, extended illness time, CME reimbursements, etc.

Do I get time off for conferences?

Each fellow is required to attend the SCCM conference and is allotted 3 CME days in addition to accrued PTO time. In addition, fellows are encouraged to attend any and all conferences within Emory Healthcare, however, conference time should not interfere with patient care responsibilities.

Will Emory pay back my student loans?

APP fellows are considered full time employees of Emory Healthcare, therefore they are eligible for the public service loan forgiveness program and also eligible for the Emory Healthcare Student Loan Repayment Program in which Emory will contribute $100/month to qualifying student loan debt. 

How am I evaluated?

APP Fellows are evaluated via a comprehensive approach that includes, direct observation, end of rotation exams for medical/clinical knowledge, clinical simulation observation, and end of rotation formal evaluation by bedside preceptor. All practitioners involved in the training process of the fellows will be asked to complete an evaluation form.

Is the Emory program accredited?

The Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship Program has dual accreditation as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and Accreditation – Clinical Postgraduate program status by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

What is the admissions process like?

Each applicant is expected to fill out an application and complete all application requirements. After completion of all parts of the application, the approved applicant will be contacted to schedule an interview.  After all the interviews are completed, the applicants will be notified of acceptance.

With whom will I interview?

You will interview with the APP Fellowship medical director, PA director and NP director and members of our alumni admissions committee.

What characteristics will the ideal candidate possess?

The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, flexible, devoted to critical care and have the interpersonal skills necessary to practice in the intensive care unit.

How many hours will I work per week?

On-site hours vary for each rotation. Fellows are expected to dedicate an average of 50-60 hours per week, encompassing both clinical and didactic/learning hours. The on-site hours fluctuate across clinical rotations, with an average of 60 hours per week for the 4-week core ICU rotations. In contrast, shorter rotations like ID, renal, and echo typically involve a 40-hour work week. The Grady experience, being the most extensive, entails an 80-hour work week, aligning with the APP fellows' integration into the physician fellows’ schedule. This makes the Grady experience one of the most high-yield components of the program.

What kinds of procedures are taught during the program?

The fellowship program covers a range of procedures, including but not limited to central lines, arterial lines, pulmonary-artery catheters, thoracentesis, paracentesis, pigtail catheter placement, chest tubes, lumbar puncture, intubations, moderate sedation, and non-operating room simple wound closure. These procedures are taught under the supervision of bedside mentors and clinical preceptors.

Can I work outside of the program?

APP Fellows are prohibited from external or internal moonlighting without the prior written approval of the Program Director or his/her designee.

Emory Critical Care NP/PA post graduate Fellowship program at Emory Healthcare is accredited with distinction as a Practice Transition Program by the American Nurses Credentialing Centers Commission. In March 2021, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC PA) has granted Accreditation-Clinical Postgraduate status to the Emory Critical Care APP Fellowship sponsored by Emory Healthcare, Woodruff Health Science Center.

APP Accreditation Emblem
ARCPA Accreditation

Critical Chronicles: Summer 2023


Read the latest Critical Chronicles for seasonal updates from the Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship. In this issue of the newsletter, we feature a letter from our fellowship director and highlight updates from our Spring 2023 graduating class, welcome the new cohort of fellows, and preview some upcoming events.

Read the Newsletter
Critical Chronicles Summer 2023 Issue

Graduate Testimonials

Benjamin Lassow, PA-C

"The Emory APP Critical Care Fellowship has offered me world class postgraduate training for a seamless transition from fellowship into clinical practice as a second year Physician Assistant. The clinical training, didactic education and clinical simulation has also offered me the ability to rapidly become a dependable and completely autonomous provider with the confidence to provide high quality patient care to the critically ill patient. The diverse and inclusive clinical rotation schedule that the Emory Critical Care Center provides APP fellows, allows the trainee to develop skills to treat numerous disease processes and dynamic critical care-based problems. Advanced trainings taught in the fellowship such as point of care ultrasound; advance ventilator education and team/environment-based leadership allows new fellowship graduates the opportunity to become leaders in any intensive care unit. I am unbelievably grateful to the fellowship and fellowship staff for providing me with the opportunity to participate in the best postgraduate training program for APP’s that critical care has to offer."

Benjamin Lassow, PA-C

Chelsea Miller, ACNP, DNP

The ECCC APP Fellowship provided me with the experience and knowledge required to develop into a confident well-rounded critical care advanced practice provider. The fellowship ensures you have protected space for learning including anxiety-producing simulation scenarios that we were able to draw upon in real life situations (one of the highlights of fellowship). These scenarios help you develop the skills to critically think and manage patients in high stress situations. The wide variety of specialties we are exposed to, opportunities to learn procedures and emphasis on evidence-based practice has been a huge benefit as I now work within a community hospital in Eastern Washington State and teach for a local doctor of nursing practice acute care program. In addition, I made lifelong friends and colleagues that I can rely upon throughout my career! I would highly recommend the ECCC fellowship for anyone wanting to become the strongest critical care provider possible.

Chelsea Miller, ACNP, DNP

Kayleen Gillo, PA

“Participating in the Emory PA/NP Critical Care Fellowship provided me with the foundation I needed to not only be a critical care provider, but also as an inpatient provider. With core rotations in various specialty and medical ICUs, I was afforded the opportunity learn critical care medicine from various experts in the field and develop a deeper understanding of the clinical practices of subspecialties such as anesthesiology, neurology, cardiology, etc. Our cohort was sent to several Emory campuses, which allowed me to serve and provide care for diverse patient populations. My education was further rounded out with dedicated didactic days, simulation days, and procedural skills workshops. While the critical care learning curve is steep and each rotation offered it’s own unique challenges, the Emory Critical Care fellowship gave me the support, confidence, and training to succeed as a new APP intensivist.”

Kayleen Gillo, PA

Chawn Rasheed, PA

"The Emory Critical Care APP Fellowship provides an opportunity for post-graduate PAs and NPs to establish a comprehensive foundation within critical care medicine. The community of healthcare workers within Emory and Grady hospitals make it a priority to cultivate a supportive environment for learners and are, truly, amazing! As an APP Fellow, I was welcomed by previous graduates of the fellowship who remained employed by Emory and those who traveled afar. Furthermore, the program directors and administrative staff went above and beyond to foster individualized experiences within the program. In addition to the core rotations, I was able to complete multiple rotations that were not within critical care medicine; allowing for exploration of medicine based on personal interests! I am certain that the knowledge and skills that I acquired during the Fellowship has significantly impacted my professional development and has transitioned me into a well-rounded PA!"

Chawn Rasheed, PA

Hannah Galvin, PA

Completing the Emory Critical Care APP Fellowship program was an invaluable and formative experience in my training to become a critical care PA. I am beyond grateful for the lessons learned, skills gained, and professional connections formed through this fellowship program.

Hannah Galvin, PA

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