HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Program

The HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital Psychiatry Residency Program is a four-year, ACGME-accredited residency designed to train the next generation of psychiatrists. The program offers a comprehensive curriculum aimed at equipping residents with the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in psychiatry. The residents will experience a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders and treatment modalities.

Program Overview

The program encompasses clinical exposure to a wide array of psychiatric conditions in a variety of settings, including urban, suburban, and rural contexts. Trainees serve diverse populations, including veterans and those from the surrounding Georgia and Carolinas areas due to the hospital's proximity to the Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Such diverse exposure is crucial in developing competency in handling a range of psychiatric issues, from first-episode psychoses to chronic schizophrenia and mood disorders. Residents also engage with patients dealing with PTSD and substance use disorders, enhancing their understanding of complex comorbidities in psychiatric practice 1.

The training is structured around intensive rotations across multiple facilities, including Orange Park Hospital and various other private and public institutions. This multifaceted experience ensures that residents cultivate a rich clinical foundation by participating in geriatric psychiatry, community psychiatry, and addiction psychiatry, among other specialties 2.

Curriculum

The curriculum incorporates a blend of didactic learning and practical experience. In the first and second years, clinical rotations cover core disciplines such as family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency psychiatry, along with more specialized placements in adult psychiatry and child/adolescent psychiatry. As residents progress to their third and fourth years, the emphasis shifts towards outpatient care and elective opportunities, which foster autonomy and advanced skill development. The training includes essential experiences in community and administrative psychiatry, ECT/TMS procedures, and the option to pursue a community psychiatry fellowship certificate 2.

Research Opportunities

Integral to the residency experience, residents are encouraged to engage in research projects. Under mentorship, residents can explore diverse research interests, contribute to quality improvement initiatives, and present their findings at various meetings. This focus on evidence-based practice not only enriches the educational experience but also fosters professional growth and advocacy within the psychiatry community 1.

Didactics

The didactic curriculum is thorough and provides tailored content for different residency years, ensuring that all residents receive a well-rounded education. Weekly and monthly sessions, such as Grand Rounds, Journal Clubs, and case-based learning, address evolving psychiatric topics. Residents also receive training in legal and ethical issues, advanced psychopharmacology, and reproductive psychiatry, among other essential subjects. These sessions occur regularly to promote continual learning and skill application 2.

Call Schedule

The call schedule is structured to balance clinical responsibilities with personal well-being. Each resident's call obligations vary by year, with PGY1 to PGY3 residents participating in short call and weekend coverage, while PGY4 residents do not have call responsibilities, allowing for a more focused experience in their final year of training 1.

Salary and Benefits

Residents are considered valued hospital employees and receive competitive benefits. Key offerings include medical and dental insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, and up to six weeks of continuous leave for special circumstances during residency. Additionally, residents receive twenty days of paid time off each academic year along with support for conference attendance and professional memberships. This comprehensive benefits package is designed to ensure resident satisfaction and wellness 1.

Visa Support

The program offers visa sponsorship for international medical graduates, supporting J-1 and H-1B visa applications. This is an essential feature for international applicants looking to gain residency training in the United States 2.

Competitiveness and Application Requirements

This residency is competitive, and the program encourages applicants from diverse medical backgrounds, including DO and IMG candidates. Specific application considerations include a maximum limit on failed Step exams and preferences for applicants within a particular time range post-medical school graduation. As part of the application process, candidates are urged to utilize the ERAS system to submit their applications 1.