Description

Job Summary:

The candidate for the Associate Program Director (APD) position must be a motivated PA with a proven record of success in leadership. The candidate must also be an active advocate for the PA profession and interested in advancing the future of the profession. The APD will work collaboratively with the DMSc Program Director and the faculty and staff of the School of PA Medicine. The faculty and staff are highly skilled and dedicated educators, leaders, and clinicians committed to creating educational opportunities that will expand the scope of practice and utilization of PAs worldwide.

It is the responsibility of the APD to be a collaborative leader in the doctorate curriculum under the direction of the DMSc Program Director (PD) and Dean of the College of Medical Science. In addition to being a faculty administrator for the DMSc program, the APD will also be responsible for instruction, service, and scholarship within the School of PA Medicine and the University. 

The APD will manage the administrative structure and support system of the DMSc program to effectively deliver the DMSc degree. The APD will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and institutional administrative offices as directed by the PD.

General Responsibilities:

• Supports and aligns growth, strategy, and innovative projects with program goals, policies, procedures, and curricula

• Manages full-time and adjunct faculty course assignments and workload projections in collaboration with the DMSc Program Director

• Coordinates annual program accreditation data collection, analysis, and reporting 

• Oversees faculty compliance with program expectations, policies, procedures, and goals

• Supports the coordination of program-wide policies and procedures updates and manages the impact across all areas of the program

• Supports faculty and their involvement in program-level marketing initiatives including information sessions, professional organization events, and other marketing efforts

• Coordinates faculty onboarding and ongoing development 

• Serves as the primary lead for faculty advising and instructor support ensuring program compliance and required reporting

• Supports course leaders and concentration coordinators for elevated student issues, curricula issues, and administrative needs

• Oversees and supports program committees and assigned committee duties for curricula, advising, policies and procedure, evaluation, and development

• Understands the major responsibilities of other interacting offices, departments, and individuals

• Collaborates with the PD to build and manage local, regional, and national partnerships to support DMSc program students and alumni

• Provides other essential leadership and support to the DMSc program faculty and staff as directed by the DMSc Program Director/Dean of the School of PA Medicine

• Serves on the DMSc and School of PA Medicine leadership and executive teams and contributes to project management/delegation, strategic planning, and implementation 

• Actively participates in professional organizations

• Attends professional development and professional organization meetings annually 

• Provides course instruction at the discretion of the DMSc Program Director

• Contributes to service, citizenship, and scholarship at the program, school, university, local, and/or national level 

• Course Instruction in the following concentration as applicable:

  • Advanced Professional Practice

  • Medical Education

  • Administrative Medicine

  • Evidence Based Medicine and Research courses

• Co instruction of PA Medicine courses as assigned by DMSc Program Director in conjunction with PA Medicine Program Director

  • Medical Practice course series

  • Critical Thinking in Medicine course series

  • Introduction to the Profession

  • Physical Diagnosis course series

  • Community Clinic course series instructor at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia 

  • Advanced Clinical Procedures course

Essential Qualities

• Demonstrate exceptional organizational skills

• Demonstrate ability to independently prioritize work

• Demonstrate initiative

• Demonstrate ability to utilize resources effectively

• Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills

• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrate proficient computer skills

• Demonstrate ability to adapt and adjust to new or changing situations

• Demonstrate exceptional interpersonal and communication skills

• Demonstrate the ability to maintain confidentiality

Basic Knowledge Requirements

• Understand the dynamics and objectives of the doctoral education process in regards to the PA profession and in relationship with the primary institution and participating institutions.

• Understand the management structure of the school and maintain effective relationships with supervisors and co-workers.

• Understand general human resource functions and principles.

• Understand general financial and budgetary processes and principles.

• Understand principles of record keeping and confidentiality (including HIPAA and FERPA compliance).

• Demonstrate proficiency with computer applications, online resources and equipment utilized by the school and institution.

• Participate in institutional, school, community, and/or national meetings to remain informed about current academic trends and processes.

Behavioral Skills

• Effectively receives supervision and feedback from the DMSc Program Director.

• Able to organize, schedule, and prioritize work for self and others to meet deadlines.

• Able to utilize interpersonal skills to work effectively with others. 

• Work positively to resolve issues by bringing concerns to the appropriate person(s).

• Perceive the pressures that clinical providers face and encourage students to use appropriate wellness tools.

Education/Knowledge Required:

The candidate must be a graduate of an accredited PA program, NCCPA certified, and hold a doctorate from an accredited institution. 

Current or eligible for Virginia medical license is required.

It is preferred that candidates have extensive experience as a PA in the fields of clinical practice, education, and/or administration. Preferred candidates will demonstrate progressive leadership experience, including prior experience in an administrative role. Experience with development and implementation of online curricula is strongly desired. 

Additional Software and Equipment Skills

• Windows applications

• Google Suite products

• Internet applications

• Online learning management software

• Institution/school intranet and programs

• Standard office equipment

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are similar in nature as applicable to knowledge and skills.

Qualifications

Qualifications - Experience

• NCCPA certified PA 

• Virginia PA license (or eligible) in Virginia

• Minimum of a doctoral degree in a health related field.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience

• Greater than 3-5 years of clinical experience

• Experience teaching in a PA program or Medical School required

• Experience with developing, managing, and/or teaching with online curriculum 

• Experience in communities with multicultural and multilingual students and healthcare providers

• Teaching, scholarship, and service interests in diverse communities

• Strong commitment to underserved populations and improving healthcare access

The University of Lynchburg is committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from persons of color, women, Indigenous/Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, the LGBTQIA community, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the University of Lynchburg community.