Faculty, Physician Assistant Program – Non-tenure track

Widener University is currently seeking 10-month non-tenure/clinical track faculty member for the Institute for Physician Assistant Education. This role reports to the Director of the Institute for Physician Assistant Education. The position is for a candidate who is an NCCPA certified Physician Assistant, eligible for PA Licensure in Pennsylvania, and a minimum 3 or more years (5 years preferred) clinical experience and minimum 3 (5 years preferred) years teaching experience in an institution of higher education. Preference will be given to individuals with a strong clinical and teaching background to teach courses in the didactic year and assist with advancing the clinical courses in the clinical year.

The College of Health and Human Services, which has a focus on interprofessional education, service, and research, houses programs in clinical psychology, education, human sexuality, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work. Our students represent a multitude of diverse identities. We aspire to develop a College faculty, staff, and curriculum that is anti-racist, anti-oppressive and reflects and respects our professional values. We seek to create an intentionally diverse educational community in which students, staff, and faculty perspectives are valued and meaningfully incorporated into our work.

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

Essential duties:

Teaching:

• Develop and teach courses in the PA Program as negotiated with the Program Director
• 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
• Participate in curriculum development both didactic and clinical
• Use faculty development opportunities and teacher effectiveness tools to improve teaching
• Serve as academic advisor and/or mentor for students and/or student organizations.
• Maintain regular office hours; guide or support students who reach out for assistance; identify students who are struggling and need extra attention or support to be successful.
• 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; support or guide students who reach out for assistance

Scholarship/Practice:

• Engage in clinically-based or educationally-based research with a goal to present at conferences.
• 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

Service:

• Participate in all University, College, and Program faculty meetings as well as academic events as indicated in the faculty handbook
• Participate in student recruitment and admission activities
• Serve as an academic advisor and/or mentor for students and/or student organizations
• Serve as a mentor to new faculty members or adjunct faculty.
• Serve as a student mentor for community engagement activities.
• Serve as site visitor for students on clinical rotation as needed.
• Assist in the accreditation process including preparation of documents for accreditation applications, annual reviews, and site visits
• Demonstrate the ability to support the mission of Widener University as evidenced by teaching and clinical assignments, advising, and mentoring of students and overseeing community engagement.
• Participate in professional activities and service to the University, College, community, and the profession.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• In-depth knowledge of at least one area of physician assistant practice/scientific knowledgebase.
• Knowledge of working with an interprofessional healthcare team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communication abilities.

Preferred:

• Graduated with a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from an accredited college or university.
• Preferred earned doctoral degree from an accredited college or university.
• Pennsylvania state licensure as a Physician Assistant or PA-State eligible.
• Minimum 3 years clinical experience as a Physician Assistant (5 or more years preferred).
• Academic teaching experience (minimum 3 years).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Must be able to sit, stand and move about classroom and campus for extended periods of time. Must be able to sit and work behind a computer for 2 or more hours at a time.
• May be required to be available to students via phone, email or other means of communication 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