Why CHOC Specialists?  Come join an organization that is defining the future of pediatric medicine in clinical care, research and education.  We are seeking an Advanced Practice Provider (Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant) for our Neurology Division to work with our Movement Disorders Program.  This program is a unique world-leading program that treats children with severe movement disorders including dystonia, chorea, myoclonus, and tremor often caused by cerebral palsy, trauma, or neurodegenerative diseases.  

The Advanced Practice Provider will be closely involved with all aspects of the program, including the pediatric deep brain stimulation (DBS) program, botulinum toxin injection, intrathecal baclofen pumps as well as diagnosis of complex movement disorders and follow up of medical and surgical treatments.  The position is primarily responsible for clinical aspects of the organization and conduct of the DBS outpatient clinic and will have both joint and independent clinics for follow up and programming of implanted DBS stimulators; EMG-guided injection of botulinum toxin; and programming and refill of intrathecal baclofen pumps.  While experience in these techniques is preferred, it is not required.  We will provide detailed supervised training as needed to achieve full clinical expertise.  The position involves considerable interaction with families and patients with complex and sometimes life-threatening disorders, both in an outpatient and inpatient setting.  Many of the children are medically fragile with multiple medical and neurological issues.  Approximately one weekend per month of daytime inpatient coverage will be required for management of inpatient DBS patients post-surgery.  Approximately two weekday mornings per month are spent as an observer in the operating room to assist with DBS targeting and wire testing following implantation.  Emergency communication with families includes evening and night phone coverage on a rotating schedule, shared by multiple members of the team. 

As a world-leading movement disorders program, there is also considerable involvement in research, collaborating with laboratories at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) and elsewhere.  The provider will participate in laboratory meetings, providing clinical expertise, oversight, and advice to medical and graduate students participating in clinical research.  Of particular importance is supervision of non-clinically trained research personnel to ensure safe, compliant, and ethical treatment of patients and research subjects in accordance with approved research protocols.  The practitioner will assist laboratory personnel with clinical expertise required for drafting and submitting protocols for human subjects research approval.  Analysis and publication of research outcomes are encouraged, and travel to national and international clinical and scientific meetings is supported for the purpose of presenting clinical and research results.  The provider will be trained in the assessment of standardized rating scales and the use of video recording for documentation of clinical efficacy.  Prior experience and involvement with clinical research is preferred but not required, and appropriate procedures, documentation, compliance, and ethics will be taught and supervised as needed.  This is a unique position with considerable responsibility and autonomy, and the Advanced Practice Provider is expected to become a leader in the field, as part of our movement disorders team. 

We offer an excellent benefits package including competitive compensation, CME allowance, comprehensive medical/dental/vision plans and a 401k Retirement Plan with an employer contribution independent of a salary deduction.

The CHOC Specialists, a private pediatric subspecialty group, is composed of more than 425 physicians and advanced practice providers within 26 pediatric subspecialties. The group practices at Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a premier healthcare system based in Orange County, CA with a state-of-the-art freestanding children’s hospital and several satellite clinics.  Already the regional leader in pediatric care, with four centers of excellence, The CHOC Heart, Neuroscience, Orthopaedic, and Hyundai Cancer Institute, CHOC has built one of the most advanced, safest children’s hospitals in the world.

Orange County, California is famous for its warm climate, with average temperatures of over 70 degrees throughout the entire year. Orange County boasts unbeatable entertainment, shopping, and attractions, with beautiful beaches, mountains, and the desert all within short driving distance.