FAQ

Where can I find the basic details about the program: duration of program, stipend amount, number of trainees, application instructions and deadline, etc.

  • Please reference the PGAPP informational PDF

Will there be off-service rotations? Any
ability for electives?

  • We have scheduled 2.5 months of external rotations after you
    have completed Phase 1 of the program. These rotations
    include Trauma (4 weeks), Pediatric Urgent Care (2 weeks),
    Pediatric ED (2 weeks), Ophthalmology (1 week) and Obstetric
    ED (1 week). Other rotations being explored currently include
    Interventional Radiology, Anesthesia, and ICU.

Will there be ultrasound training?

  • Yes. The instructors are US Fellowship trained ED physicians. Training includes 4 hours of didactics & practicing on ED patient volunteers each month for 8 months.

How much time will be spent with didactics and how will that time be spent?

  • The program will include over 300 hours of didactics – with close to 80 hours of Boot Camp and about 20 hours per month thereafter. Didactics will be carefully paired with independent self study assignments (also totaling over 300 hours) so such sessions are optimized. Didactics will focus heavily on case vignettes with careful and deliberate discussion on the medical decision making process as impressions and treatment plans/disposition are identified

Will I be able to sit for the EM CAQ exam at the completion of the program?

  • Yes, we are specifically designing the program to ensure that all CAQ requirements are met upon completion of the program.

Will I be competing with other residents or staff members for patients, procedures, and experiences?

  • ED rotations at the primary training sites will be arranged so you alone will be partnered with either an experienced APP or ED physician. The volume of patients and procedures will be determined by your Attending Provider commensurate with level of postgraduate training, competence and confidence as to ensure patient safety and quality. While we cannot guarantee on external rotations that you will be competing with residents, fellows, and other providers, we will be continually evaluating and adjusting these rotations so that our candidates receive the best training and experience possible.

How will we as trainees be utilized in the emergency department?  Who will we be paired with for supervision and training on shift? What will be the expectations of us at each stage?

  • ED shifts and locations will be selected commensurate with the candidate’s phase of training (e.g PG-1 and PG-2). PG-1 rotations will include more pairings with experienced APPs than with ED physicians. As PG-2, there will be significantly more pairings with ED physicians and therefore more involvement with patients with higher acuity.

Will I be assigned a mentor? How is the mentorship structured?

  • Candidates will be paired with a Faculty Advisor from the beginning of the program. Faculty advisors will be expected to meet with candidates at least 2 hours per month to review/assess areas of strength and weakness, develop individual plans for growth and development, and provide support to ensure continued forward progress. Advisors will also provide guidance on the completion of the required research project Candidates will also be paired with mentors who are senior Post Grad APPs and if desired be paired with a staff APP.

How will the schedule look at each stage?

  • As a PGAPP-1, you will be working in the GREEN Zones at Allenmore and Covington EDs which are staffed with TECP APPs. While Green Zones are generally reserved for lower acuity patients, it is not uncommon that higher acuity patients will need be seen in these zones. As a PGAPP-2, you will be working in the RED Zones at Tacoma General, Allenmore, and Covington. These zones are high acuity and staffed with ED physicians.

What will be the expectations regarding the research project?

  • While we expect the research projects to vary in size, scale, and scope, candidates should strive toward a project of substantial and publishable quality.

How much pediatric EM training will I receive?

  • In addition to over 30 hours selected CME, we will arrange clinical rotations at Covington ED (25-30% pediatric patients) and Mary Bridge Children’s Emergency Department. Program target goal for clinical training of pediatric patients is 15%.

How much time commitment should I expect in an average week?

  • You should expect to work on average of 48-50 hours per week – which is consistent with other EM residency/fellowship programs. We estimate roughly 40 clinical hours per week, 4 hours of didactic training, and 4 hours independent study.

How much procedure training will I receive?

  • Our goal is to meet the standards set by leading APP organizations such as SEMPA. Training will be either through direct patient contact or simulation.

How much CME will I receive and in what formats?

  • Program goal is to complete 150 hours CME within the 15- month duration. Specific CME courses has been selected to include Original Boot Camp, Advance Boot Camp, and ATLS. Program will provide membership on EMRAP to complete the remaining CME. UpToDate is a resource available free to all providers through the hospital and will be acceptable alternative for some CME.

Will you have a simulation lab?

  • In support of the Program, we will be developing low and high-fidelity simulation options to enhance the experience and training of our APPs. We hope that the simulation lab will be able to develop competency in those procedures that are typically infrequent (e.g. cricothyroidotomy, chest tube placement).

What is the likelihood that I will be hired permanently after completion of the Program?

  • After successful completion of the Program, we sincerely hope that you would seriously consider permanently joining WECP at any of its multiple sites. We anticipate significant expansion in the next several years with multiple job opportunities for APPs. If permanently hired, your time within the Program will count towards the required eligibility period prior to enrollment into the company’s retirement plan.

For further questions, who should I reach out to?

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