Neurocritical Care is recognized as a highly specialized and rapidly expanding field within critical care medicine. To address the growing need for skilled advanced practice providers (APPs) in Neurocritical Care and Clinical Neuroscience (NCC), MetroHealth (MH) proudly launched the nation's first NCC APP Fellowship in 2019. This elite 12-month post-graduate fellowship is designed for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) seeking to advance their careers. Based at MH’s flagship campus in Cleveland, OH—which boasts both a Comprehensive Stroke Center and the region’s largest Level 1 Trauma Center—our program offers comprehensive training in neurocritical care.
The fellowship combines rigorous didactic coursework with hands-on clinical experience under the mentorship of a team of nationally recognized MDs and APPs. While the primary focus is on neurocritical care, the curriculum is flexible, preparing trainees for diverse careers in inpatient neuroscience, including non-critical contexts. APPs who matriculate into the program have the opportunity to contribute to innovative patient care and pioneer a program at the forefront of neurocritical medicine. Fellows can expect to learn how to: perform a nuanced neurological assessment; interpret neuroimaging studies; develop an in-depth understanding of EEG; perform and interpret bedside ultrasound; and perform bedside procedures, including endotracheal intubation, arterial line insertion, central venous catheter insertion, and lumbar puncture.
To provide a well-rounded neuroscience experience along the longitudinal care continuum, curricular elements include clinical experience in:
- Neurocritical Care
- Neurosurgery
- Neuroradiology
- Epilepsy
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Medical Intensive Care
- Hospital Neurology/Stroke
- Infectious Disease
- Outpatient Neurology
While immersion in neurocritical care is the primary goal, the curriculum is individualized for each APP fellow based on career goals and prior experience and may include additional areas of emphasis.
The APP fellow will also participate in journal clubs, morbidity and mortality reviews, ongoing quality improvement, and research projects. There will also be multidisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration in clinical care and education, involving interactions with nurses, therapists, care coordinators, ethicists, social workers, chaplains, medical students, residents, physician fellows, attending physicians, and others.
The APP fellow can expect to work shifts of varying lengths, including both day/night shifts and weekends. Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education hour restrictions will be strictly enforced for the APP fellow. Workweeks will typically range from 40 to 60 hours per week. The MH NCC Fellowship will accept one candidate each year on a competitive basis. Candidates will be selected based on a comprehensive review of graduate school transcripts, work experience, clinical rotations, leadership qualities, personal statement, and interview.
Admission requirements include:
- Graduate of an accredited PA or APRN program (Acute Care only for APRNs)
- National certification through NCCPA, ANCC, or AACN by matriculation date
- Ohio State Licensure (PA via State Medical Board; APRN/RN via Ohio Board of Nursing)
- Eligible for DEA registration, BLS certified and ACLS certified by matriculation date
- Application should include: CV or Resume, a cover letter, and two letters of recommendation
Application Cycle: Rolling
Interested candidates can contact recruitment specialist, Eloy Vazquez, at evazquez@metrohealth.org.