PA Program Director

Physician Assistant Program Director
Charleston Southern University

Description

Charleston Southern University invites applications for the position of Program Director of the Master of Medical Science in PA Studies (MMSPAS) program. The Program Director serves as the academic and administrative officer of the PA program, providing vision, leadership, and oversight to ensure excellence in physician assistant education in alignment with CSU’s Christian mission and the standards of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The Program Director is responsible for curriculum development, faculty and staff supervision, student performance and progression, budget management, clinical partnerships, and compliance with accreditation requirements. This individual represents the program within the university and to external partners, advancing CSU’s commitment to preparing graduates who are academically and clinically competent, professionally engaged, and dedicated to compassionate patient care.

Responsibilities

• Perform all duties of the Program Director as described in ARC-PA standards.
• Serve as an effective leader, manager, and administrator for the program.
• Set strategic priorities and manage program implementation in alignment with available budget and resources, including developing annual budgets.
• Oversee the hiring, supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of the program’s Medical Director, principal faculty, instructional faculty, and staff.
• Oversee faculty in curricular revisions, instructional delivery, and assessment to ensure compliance with ARC-PA Standards and CSU policies.
• Work with the Director of Didactic Education to develop and implement the didactic phase curriculum.
• Work with the university administrators and the Director of Clinical Education to recruit, develop, and monitor sufficient clinical rotation experiences and ensure appropriate site evaluation to ensure compliance with ARC-PA Standards and CSU policies.
• Coordinate faculty responsibilities across both didactic and clinical phases, including schedules, course directors, and assessments.
• Provide direct instruction in the didactic and/or clinical phases of the program.
• Oversee academic advising, support student success, and ensure remediation processes align with program and university policies.
• Guide and participate in student recruitment, admissions, selection, and retention initiatives.
• Lead ongoing program self-assessment, analysis, curriculum evaluation, and accreditation reporting.
• Nurture community relationships, network with local providers, and foster partnerships with regional healthcare systems.
• Use transparent communication and active listening strategies with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Participate in program committees (Admissions, Curriculum, Academic & Professionalism Progress) and university committees (Graduate Council), and ad hoc committees, as needed.
• Represent the PA program at the university level and in state and national PA organizations.
• Collaborate on interprofessional and interdisciplinary initiatives within the College of Health Sciences.
• Attend regular leadership meetings within the College of Health Sciences, the university, and the community.
• Engage in professional development activities, including scholarship, clinical practice, or other agreed-upon activities.
• Ensure professional boundaries by not serving as a healthcare provider for students, except in emergencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Janet Tankersley jtankersley@csuniv.edu

Qualifications

• PA with a master’s degree from an accredited PA program, or a doctorate from a regionally accredited institution.
• Current or emeritus NCCPA certification.
• Eligibility for licensure in the state of South Carolina.
• Minimum of three years of full-time higher education experience, per ARC-PA accreditation standards.
• Minimum of two years of full-time clinical experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of PA education, ARC-PA accreditation standards, and the role of PAs in delivering high-quality health care.
• Shared commitment to integrating Christian faith, learning, and service consistent with Charleston Southern University’s mission.

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of visionary leadership and strong interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience in PA program administration and accreditation processes.
• Experience in curriculum design, assessment, and program evaluation.
• Experience developing and managing operational budgets and staffing plans.
• Evidence of scholarly activity, professional service, or ongoing clinical practice.
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders, including higher education partners and healthcare systems.

About Charleston Southern University
Located near historic Charleston, South Carolina, CSU has a 60-year history as a comprehensive institution offering a liberal arts curriculum to over 4,000 students and offers 100 programs including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in Aeronautics, Education, Business, Criminal Justice, Organizational Management, Nursing, Christian Studies, Computer Science, or Health Sciences. CSU also houses 16 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams. The mission of the University is “promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment,” and the vision is to be a Christian University nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading and serving. Charleston Southern is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. For more information about the University, please visit www.charlestonsouthern.edu.
Expressions of interest and all applications will be confidential. Application materials should include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information of three references. Application materials should be submitted electronically on the Charleston Southern University Human Resources website.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Rank and salary are competitive and commensurate with training and experience.