Because we all have a role
in making care exceptional

The Cleveland Clinic Children’s Pediatric Acute Care Advanced Practice Provider Fellowship is an innovative 12-month program with a mission to safely transition Certified Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants into pediatric acute and critical care practice. The program provides a robust infrastructure to build clinical competency and role proficiency through mentorship, professional development, leadership training, and organizational enculturation. Fellows will graduate with the critical-thinking, diagnostic, and clinical skills needed to provide safe, efficient, evidence-based care to acutely and critically ill pediatric patients in today’s multidisciplinary, team-based care model.

 

This intensive training program provides the APP Fellow with a comprehensive, structured transition into pediatric acute care practice. Fellows begin with a boot camp to review and establish the fundamentals of practice. Each week includes protected didactic learning through case studies, lectures, and simulation, with an emphasis on applying evidence-based medicine. The APP Fellow reflects the mission, vision, and values of Cleveland Clinic, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards.

 

Throughout training, fellows are supervised and developed by APP and physician experts in each care area. Each fellow receives individualized instruction, mentorship, and progressive clinical responsibility. The fellowship also includes a structured professional-development experience focused on APP education, quality improvement, research, or another approved scholarly activity.

Cleveland Clinic Children’s

Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a premier academic pediatric healthcare center offering a broad range of specialty and subspecialty services. Fellows train in a collaborative environment alongside experienced APPs, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and other healthcare professionals while caring for children across the continuum of acute and critical illness.

Why Apply and Choose Fellowship Training

Postgraduate fellowship training provides new APPs with a structured pathway into complex pediatric practice. The Pediatric Acute Care APP Fellowship seeks motivated, compassionate, and highly engaged candidates who want to build a strong foundation across general pediatric acute care settings. Fellows learn in a supportive environment that values patient care, teamwork, leadership, innovation, and education. Graduates will be prepared to pursue APP opportunities across pediatric acute and critical care services.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner certified through the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

2. Master’s or doctoral degree in Pediatric Acute Care from an accredited school or college of nursing.

3. Current or eligible licensure as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the State of Ohio.

4. Physician Assistant candidates must hold a master’s degree from an accredited Physician Assistant program and be nationally certified and eligible for Ohio licensure.

 

All certifications, board examinations, and licensure requirements must be successfully completed within the timeframe established by the program before the start date.

 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Previous clinical experience in an inpatient, acute care, or high-acuity setting, including relevant nursing and/or clinical rotation experience.
• Demonstrated interest in pediatric acute and critical care and a commitment to developing clinical competency across multiple pediatric specialties.
• Ability to receive, incorporate, and provide constructive feedback in a professional and respectful manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and evidence-based clinical practice.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn in a variety of clinical environments, including settings with differing patient populations, workflows, and levels of acuity.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
• Demonstrated accountability, professionalism, and initiative, including the ability to recognize personal limitations, seek guidance appropriately, and take ownership of individual learning and performance.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking, clinical curiosity, and a willingness to ask questions and actively participate in clinical decision-making under appropriate supervision.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to balance clinical responsibilities, educational requirements, and independent learning.
• Demonstrated commitment to patient safety, family-centered care, and delivering compassionate care to diverse pediatric patient populations.

Education and Experience Overview

Clinical Rotations

A clinical mentor will be assigned for each care area. The anticipated rotation structure includes:

1. Hospital Medicine – three months

2. Pediatric Emergency Department – three months

3. Pediatric Intensive Care Unit – three months

4. Transition-to-Practice Placement – three months in an acute care service, based on organizational need, available positions, fellow performance, and career interests

• The final three months of the 12-month fellowship will consist of a dedicated Transition-to-Practice Phase, designed to align each fellow’s professional interests and career goals with available full-time employment (FTE) opportunities throughout Cleveland Clinic Children’s. During this phase, fellows will transition into a clinical department with an available position that aligns with their interests, allowing them to complete a structured, specialty-specific orientation within their prospective practice setting. Fellows will work alongside their designated clinical team, gradually assuming increased responsibilities while receiving individualized mentorship, education, and support. This model is designed to facilitate a seamless transition from fellowship training into independent clinical practice while supporting long-term professional development and institutional workforce needs.
• Placement during the Transition-to-Practice Phase will be based on fellow preference, departmental needs, and available FTE opportunities.

Didactic Education and Additional Opportunities

1. Pediatric Acute and Critical Care Boot Camp during the initial phase of training

2. APP Fellow core curriculum with weekly protected didactic time

3. Case-based learning and simulation

4. Service-specific conferences, lectures, grand rounds, and multidisciplinary educational opportunities

5. Quality and systems-based care education

 

Simulation and Skills Training

1. Pediatric resuscitation and emergency response simulation

2. Procedural and technical skills training based on clinical role and available opportunities

3. Point-of-care ultrasound and vascular access education, when available

Professional Development

1. Cleveland Clinic Values

2. Interprofessional teaming

3. Mentorship

4. Introduction to Quality Improvement and Research Methods

5. Communication Training

6. End-of-life Training

7. Leadership Development

Salary and Benefits

Salary & Benefits: The fellow will be hired in a full-time, salaried position not to exceed 12 months of employment. The fellow will be eligible for the full-time benefits as described in the Total Rewards Brochure. The salary will be paid on a semi-monthly basis. After successful completion of the fellowship and the termed program the fellow will have the opportunity to apply for any open position within the Cleveland Clinic Children’s. If the fellow does not secure employment within Cleveland Clinic, their employment will be terminated per the terms of this fellowship. Employment at the end of the fellowship is not guaranteed. APRN/PA learns the role of an Advanced Practice Provider under supervision of the APRN/PA preceptor and/or Physician preceptor for no longer than 12 months.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

A nationally certified and licensed healthcare provider who provides specialty nursing and medical care in a variety of healthcare settings. Functions in collaboration with a physician according to an APRN protocol, specialty certification, licensure, privileges, and institutional policies. Practice emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic health conditions.

Physician Assistant

A nationally certified and licensed healthcare provider who provides specialty medical care in a variety of healthcare settings. Functions within the collaboration agreement of a Physician, as per regulatory requirements. Performs complete histories and physicals on patients of all ages to establish and record patient’s current health status and to develop a working diagnosis and treatment plan to provide continuing medical care, including daily examinations, writing orders, chart notes, discharging patients and completing discharge summaries. This medical care may be in a variety of clinical settings. PAs in the Hospital care role provide outpatient and/or hospital based care to patients (more than 50% of their time) with complex, acute, and chronic health conditions. Outpatient/Hospital care PAs practice in a setting that requires the performance of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to manage acute and chronic health problems.

Requirements for Application

1. CV/Resume

2. Personal Statement declaring why you are interested in this opportunity

3. Minimum of 2 letters of recommendation (one from your current employer, another from your clinical faculty)

4. Eligible for DEA licensure

5. Current PALS/BLS/ACLS certification*

*If not already completed at time of application, all qualifications must be completed 6 weeks prior to the start date.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Conducts thorough medical histories, performs complete physical examinations (where indicated), initiates appropriate lab, radiology tests or other special tests required for evaluation of illness, and scrutinizes lab data to establish a record of the patient's current health status and to develop a working diagnosis and treatment plan.  Works in collaboration with the health care team.
• Performs and interprets common laboratory, radiologic, cardiographic and other routine diagnostic procedures used to identify pathophysiologic processes as credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
• Performs routine and specialized procedures as credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.
• May prescribe and monitor medications as allowed by license through applicable state board and Cleveland Clinic policies.
• Educates patients and answers questions regarding their disease, treatments, related drug and treatment side effects and hazards.
• Participates in medical team rounds; collaborates with nursing, medical and other healthcare team members regularly to ensure quality patient care.
• Refers patients to specialists as appropriate for consultation or for specialized health resources and treatment.
• Ensures continuity of care by serving as a liaison between patient and other members of the multi-disciplinary care team or with other specialty areas as necessary.
• Participates in quality monitoring thru the review of records and treatment plans for patient outcomes on a periodic basis to assure quality care.
• Facilitates appropriate length of stay, discharge planning and compliance with regulatory standards for inpatient management.
• Supports professional development of the health care team.
• Promotes translation of evidence-based practices, guidelines, and research.
• May conduct research studies.  May assists in data collection and analysis.
• May serve as clinical preceptor for students. May onboard new caregivers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Languages:

• Oral and written communication in English

Education:

APRN 

Effective 05/01/2014: MSN required upon hire or within 3 years of hire for external hires and internal hires moving from a non-APRN licensed role to an APRN licensed role. 
Graduate of an accredited APRN program. 
If in neonatal care service area Master’s Degree is required upon hire. 

PA 

Graduate of an A.R.C. approved Physician Assistant Program. 
Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies and/or higher degree obtained from a program recognized by their practicing states Licensing Board. 

Certifications: 

NP 

• Currently licensed as a Nurse Practitioner in applicable state(s). 
• Must be licensed as an RN in applicable state(s).
• National certification as a Nurse Practitioner by nationally accredited organization recognized by state Board of Nursing. 
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required. 
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) may be required based upon work setting. 
• Must have arrangements with at least one physician in accordance with requirements set forth by the State Board of Nursing in applicable states. 
• Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals.

PA

• Certification as a Physician Assistant through the NCCPA or successor organization recognized by their practicing states Licensing Board. 
• License to practice and prescribe issued by their practicing states Licensing Board.
• Current DEA License or DEA designee as required by NCQA.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Heart Association (AHA) required. 
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) through the American Heart Association (AHA); or Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) through the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); or Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) American Heart Association may be required based upon work setting. 
• If a candidate has held a license to prescribe within another jurisdiction and needs to obtain a master's degree in order to apply for prescribing privileges the candidate will be subject for review for eligibility for hiring within our system. 
• Must have a Physician Supervision Agreement and signed addendum to Physician Supervision Agreement. 
• Must be credentialed and privileged by the Medical Executive Committee and the Governing Body of the applicable hospitals. 

Complexity of Work:

• Excellent analytical and decision-making skills are required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Demonstrated competency and the ability to perform advanced assessment and diagnosis.
• Demonstrated ability to utilize the electronic medical record.
• Demonstrates a high standard of moral and ethical behavior.
• Demonstrates compassion and professionalism and a commitment to excellent patient care.
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work independently.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• Related clinical experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Typical physical demands include the ability to walk and stand for long periods of time.
• Manual and finger dexterity and eye/hand coordination to perform physical examinations.
• Requires corrected vision and hearing to a normal range.
• Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May require exposure to communicable diseases and/or body fluids.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.