Director of Clinical Education, Physician Assistant Studies – Non-tenure track

Widener University is currently seeking a Director of Clinical Education in the Institute for Physician Assistant Education in the College of Health and Human Services. This role reports to the Program Director of the Institute for Physician Assistant Education.

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) in the Institute for Physician Assistant Education (IPAE) oversees all aspects of the clinical education portion of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. This position is a 12-month, full-time, non-tenure track position with an administrative role in the program. Responsibilities include development and maintenance of external contracts for clinical rotation sites; management of student rotation assignments; and completion of rotation visits. The DCE assists the Program Director in managing clinical instructional faculty who supervise students on clinical rotations and ensures that the clinical portion of the program is in compliance with all accreditation standards.

Responsibilities also include teaching clinical and didactic courses; service to the university, community, and the profession; and other duties assigned by the Program Director. A significant portion of the DCE’s annual workload is dedicated to the management and administration of student clinical training; the workload is as follows:

• 10% assigned to clinical practice
• 20% assigned to service; and
• 70% assigned to development of the clinical education portion of the program and teaching. The DCE has a 50% teaching (4-5 credit/semester) credit release from teaching expectations per semester.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Essential duties:

In Relationship to Clinical Training

• Ensure that the clinical portion of the program is in compliance with all accreditation standards, and HIPAA and FERPA policies.
• Assist the Program Director in managing and evaluating instructional clinical faculty who supervise students in clinical rotations.
• Management of off-campus clinical assignments, including developing and maintaining external contracts for clinical placement sites and completion of rotation site visits.
• Management of PA clinical contract information in Exxat.
• Provide guidance and support, as needed and requested, to off-campus clinical supervisors and serve as a resource for the PA clinical education community.
• Communicate activities, news, and other relevant information from the academic program to off-campus clinical rotation sites.
• Collect, compile and report pertinent clinical training data and information required for program evaluation, curriculum decisions, and accreditation.

In Relationship to Students

• Interface with off-campus PA clinical supervisors regarding learning objectives and student performance in order to support quality educational experiences for students.
• Prepare students for on- and off- campus clinical assignments.
• Communicate with clinical supervisors and students during on- and off-campus clinical assignments to monitor and facilitate student performance and progress.
• Address concerns related to clinical assignments, on- and off-campus, in order to support students as well as maintain collaborative relationships with clinical supervisors.
• Regularly evaluate clinical supervisors and clinical rotations through student feedback and/or observation to ensure high-quality experiences.
• Update and maintain the clinical education portion of the student handbook.

Teaching:

• Participate in curriculum development.
• Develop and teach courses in the PA Program as negotiated with the Program Director including, at a minimum, all clinic-related courses.
• Ensure courses and syllabi are current and available to all students.
• Demonstrate competency in teaching as evidenced by supervisor, peer, and student evaluations.
• Demonstration of expertise in areas of teaching responsibility and content delivery method.
• Participate in team and/or interdisciplinary teaching.
• Use faculty development opportunities and teacher effectiveness tools to improve teaching.
• Supervise students on special projects (e.g. interprofessional, research projects).
• Maintain regular office hours, guide or support students who reach out for assistance, and identify students who are struggling and need extra attention or support to be successful through use of email, phone or other appropriate means of communication.

Service:

• Attend all university academic events as required in the faculty handbook.
• Attend all University, School, and Program faculty meetings.
• Participate in student recruitment and admission activities.
• Engage with students via co-curricular activities.
• Serve as an academic advisor and/or mentor for students and/or student organizations.
• Assist in the accreditation process including preparation of documents for accreditation applications, annual reviews, and site visits.
• Serve as a mentor to new faculty members and/or adjunct faculty.
• Demonstrate the ability to support the mission of Widener University as evidenced by teaching and clinical assignments, advising, and mentoring of students.
• Participate in professional activities and service to the University, School, community, and the profession.

Scholarship/Practice:

• Engage in scholarly/clinical work related to area of interest on a regular basis and as required by expectations of the Program.
• Maintain currency of clinical and professional knowledge through regular continuing education.
• Conduct applied research as relevant.

Knowledge and Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of at least one area of PA practice and scientific knowledge base.
• Knowledge of education and health care system structures relative to PA Studies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication abilities.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Clinical and teaching experience in an academic environment.
• Knowledge of content delivery methods including web-supported classes (e.g., Canvas) and distance learning.
• Experience networking with various academic disciplines to promote interprofessional education and practice among faculty and students.
• Active participation and/or leadership in local, regional, national, or international PA organizations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• A master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies from an accredited college or university; terminal academic doctorate degree preferred.
• Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, or eligibility to apply, as a Physician Assistant.
• Minimum 5 years clinical experience as a PA; 7 or more years preferred.
• Minimum 3 years teaching and/or clinical supervision; 5 or more years preferred.

Preferred:

• Preference will be given to individuals who have experience teaching and providing clinical supervision to PA students in an academic setting and who have experience with ARC-PA accreditation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Must be able to sit, stand and move about a classroom and/or campus for extended periods of time.
• May need to lift supplies of up to 20lbs per item.
• May be required to be available to students via phone, email or other means of communication during nights and weekends.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener’s main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington.

EOE M/F/V/D