About the Role

Direct Orthopedic Care is seeking Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners to join our APP Residency. This is a 12-month, full-time training program focused on developing confident, procedurally skilled clinicians within a collaborative, APP-led orthopedic and pain care model.

This is not an observership. Residents are active clinicians from early in the program, with structured mentorship, protected education time, and hands-on procedural training built into every week. 

About the Program

The DOC APP Residency was built around how high-functioning orthopedic teams actually work. Experienced APPs lead front-line patient evaluation and procedural care while working closely with orthopedic surgeons and pain physicians for operative exposure and complex decision-making. Residents train alongside experienced orthopedic and pain APP mentors across the DOC network in the Dallas Fort Worth region, with clinical responsibility increasing as competence and judgment develop.

• APP-led training model with physician collaboration and surgical exposure
• Protected didactic education four mornings per week
• Dedicated procedural workshop days throughout the year
• Surgical first assist experience and perioperative care
• Focused musculoskeletal pain management curriculum
• Structured mentorship and formal performance feedback
• 100% job placement over a six-yeartrack record

What You'll Do

• Evaluate and manage patients across acute orthopedic, sports, degenerative, and musculoskeletal pain presentations
• Perform andassistwith ultrasound-guided injections, aspirations, and fracture procedures
• Interpret radiographic imaging and manage fracture care including splinting, casting, and follow-up
• Participate in surgical first assist and postoperative orthopedic follow-up
• Attend protected didactic sessions, case-based learning, and procedural workshops each week
• Complete curriculum aligned with Orthopedic CAQ expectations
• Engage in structured mentorship and formal progress reviews throughout the year

Who We're Looking For

New PA and NP graduates seeking a structured entry into orthopedic practice and experienced clinicians transitioning into the specialty are equally well-suited. Strong candidates have a genuine interest in musculoskeletal medicine, value mentorship and accountability, and are prepared for an intensive, high-volume clinical environment.

Requirements

Candidates pending graduation: graduate of an ARC-PA accredited PA program or accredited NP program, anticipated graduation date and planned board exam, CV, personal statement, and unofficial transcripts.

Graduated applicants: NCCPA certification or applicable board certification, Texas Medical Board licensure or pending application, DEA registration, CV, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation.

Compensation and Benefits

Residents are hired as full-time salaried employees from day one with a full benefits package including competitive salary, health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid time off, CME allowance, and CME days in addition to PTO.

Where Graduates Go

100% of DOC APP Residency graduates have secured employment following completion, with the majority continuing their careers within Direct Orthopedic Care. Graduates practice across the full spectrum of orthopedic and pain settings including general orthopedics, sports medicine, spine, hand and upper extremity, pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatric orthopedics, orthopedic oncology, and orthopedic urgent care.