Inova Neurology How to apply
Advanced Practice Providers (APP) at Inova

Inova Neurosciences is a regional leader in the diagnosis, treatment and research of complex neurological conditions involving the brain, spine and nervous system. With more than twenty-five specialized programs, we have the largest and most expansive neuroscience focused programs and services in Northern Virginia. 

Our highly trained and nationally recognized physicians treat a wide range of conditions, including brain and spinal tumors, concussion, epilepsy, headache, memory disorders, multiple sclerosis and neuro-immunology, neuromuscular, neuro-ophthalmology, neurotrauma and critical care, pain management, Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders, pediatric neurology, sleep disorders, rehabilitation, spine conditions, and stroke and cerebrovascular disease.

Headache Neurology APP Fellowship Program

Physician assistants

  • DEA license
  • Graduate of an accredited PA program (or eligible at time of interview)
  • PANCE eligible through National Commission on Certification of PAs at the time of interview
  • PANCE certification by matriculation
  • VA license

Nurse practitioners

  • DEA license
  • Graduate of an accredited adult, acute care, family, or adult/gerontology nurse practitioner program (MSN or DNP), or eligible at the time of the interview
  • Board certified or eligible for board certification at the time of the interview
  • Board certification by matriculation
  • VA license

 

Objective - to provide an educational and clinical experience sufficient to enable the graduate to perform competently and productively as a headache medicine clinician, a clinical research investigator and an educator of patients and healthcare providers.

  • Training provided by an MD and APP faculty internationally recognized for expertise in clinical care, cutting edge clinical research and subspecialty training of APPs.
  • Initial didactic instruction/clinical observership followed by supervised and progressively independent direct outpatient management.
  • Training and active participation in clinical research
  • Training and active participation in headache "rescue room" (in-clinic infusion center) patient management
  • Training/participation in new paradigms for headache patient education
  • Periodic assessment exams and supplementary instruction as needed.
     

Co-Director – John Farr Rothrock, MD – Professor of Neurology
 

Co-Director – Ben Wyllie, NP – Advanced Practice Manager, Neuroscience Service Line
 

How to apply

Applications to the program are currently being accepted for the 2024-2025 academic year, with an anticipated start date of September 1, 2024 (contingent upon completion of the credentialing and privileging process). The Fellow will be fully credentialed through Inova, receive a competitive fellowship salary and be eligible for full employee benefits to include health insurance, CME allowance and PTO.

To be eligible for the Headache Neurology Fellowship Program, applicants must:

  • Have graduated from an accredited NP or PA program
  • Have national board certification as a NP or PA
  • Be eligible for licensure as a NP or PA in Virginia
  • Have a DEA number

Please submit the following application materials in a single email to John Rothrock, MD, Headache Neurology APP Director, Inova Neurology, John.Rothrock@inova.org.

Include the following materials with your application:

  • CV with statement of interest
  • License and certification (or eligibility)
  • BLS certification
  • Two letters of recommendation, one from a current program director/clinical coordinator or most recent supervising/collaborating physician or APP

Upon completion of the Neurology Headache APP fellowship program, the APP will have:

  • Didactic and clinical experience with complex headache patients
  • Interactions with large teams of APPs, physicians, nurses and other allied health professionals
  • Increasing autonomy in the diagnosis and headache patients in the ambulatory setting
  • Comfort with reporting case studies
  • Experience at local and national headache conferences

Employee benefits

  • The neurology headache APP fellow will be fully credentialed through Inova and will receive a competitive fellowship salary.
  • The neurology headache APP fellow will be offered full Inova employee benefits including health insurance, CME allowance and PTO.
     

APP fellowship applicants – commonly used terms

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) – course offering advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and management for healthcare providers through the American Heart Association.

Advanced Practice Provider – often abbreviated as APP, this umbrella term extends to multiple healthcare providers, including physician assistants/associates, nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. For the purpose of Inova’s APP fellowships, we use the term to cover physician assistants and nurse practitioners.

Basic Life Support (BLS) – course offering fundamental cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills for healthcare providers through the American Heart Association.

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) – Federal body with multiple responsibilities, one of which includes registering healthcare providers for prescribing controlled substances. Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) – course offered through the Neurocritical Care Society addressing neurological emergencies.

Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) – A two-day course offered through the Society of Critical Care Medicine that prepares physicians, nurses, pharmacists, APPs, and respiratory therapists in identifying and initial managing critically ill patients.

Nurse Practitioner (NP) – a registered nurse with advanced practice training in one of six populations (adults, pediatrics, family, women’s, psychiatric, and neo-natal). They are master’s or doctorally prepared and capable of diagnosing, prescribing, interpreting, and managing complex patient populations.

Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) – a master’s prepared provider capable of diagnosing, prescribing, interpreting, and managing complex patient populations across the lifespan.

Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination® (PANCE) – Examination required for new graduate PAs pursuing their certification. PAs may maintain their certification through the Physician Assistant National Recertifying Examination® (PANRE).