Program Director, Master of Physician Assistant Program

Colby-Sawyer College is expanding its academic portfolio by adding a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program and seeking applications for a Program Director. Establishing a master’s level PA program strengthens Colby-Sawyer’s position as a regional leader in health sciences, expanding on its strong nursing and allied-health programs while fulfilling the strategic commitment to offer graduate education that is committed to building a workforce focused on community needs. Colby-Sawyer has a longstanding and established partnership as a preferred partner with Dartmouth Health, New Hampshire’s only academic health system. In addition, the Janet Udall Schaefer ‘52 Center for Health Sciences, newly opened in 2024, is a dynamic hub for academic and clinical training in nursing and health sciences. This next-generation center is equipped with the latest hospital-grade instruments and devices in a four-room simulation center, three clinical exam rooms, two skills laboratories, and two anatomy and physiology labs. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has approved our application request for entry into provisional accreditation status.

Summary 

The Master of Physician Assistant Program Director is responsible for providing effective leadership and management in the establishment of ARC-PA provisional accreditation status at Colby-Sawyer. The responsibilities of the Program Director include the supervision of the medical director, principal and instructional faculty, and staff working within the PA program, program organization, program administration, fiscal management of the program, effective communication, continuous programmatic review and analysis, completion of ARC-PA required documents, and adherence to the Standards and ARC-PA policies (ARC- PA Standards, 6^th Edition A2.09, A2.10).

This position is a full-time, 12-month position with administrative and eventual teaching responsibilities upon program launch.

All Colby-Sawyer employees are expected to evaluate decisions, actions, communications, and service delivery from the perspective of advancing the college’s mission, philosophy, values, and strategic themes, most notably in maximizing student recruitment, retention, and success.

Essential Job Functions:

General Administrative Responsibilities

·         Effectively lead the development and implementation of the achievement of provisional accreditation status 

·         Hire and onboard the required faculty positions and administrative staff roles as identified by ARC-PA standards (Section D).   

·         Supervise the medical director, faculty, and dedicated administrative staff within the PA program.

·         Collaborate with the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Associate Director of Graduate Admissions to recruit students into the program and to coordinate the admissions process

Accreditation Responsibilities

·         Effectively lead and manage the developing PA program through the initial provisional accreditation process.

·         Conduct and complete an initial self-study report in accordance with and compliant with ARC-PA deadlines and standards.

·         Ensure ongoing compliance and maintain good standing accreditation status by timely completion of provisional reports, annual reports, and any required notifications to ARC-PA.

·         Attend conferences and professional development offered by ARC-PA to ensure compliance with accreditation standards.

·         Support the Director of Clinical Education with the identification and development of clinical curriculum, preceptor, and clinical site requirements as identified by ARC-PA standards.  

Business and Financial Responsibilities

·         Collaborate with the Dean for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences to prepare and manage a program budget.

Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Responsibilities 

·         Develop course syllabi and implement a curriculum in accordance with and in compliance with ARC-PA standards and Academic Policies Committee processes.

·         Develop, implement, and conduct a program evaluation and assessment plan in compliance with ARC-PA standards and institutional assessment practices.   

·         Support and collaborate with faculty on syllabi and curriculum development to meet ARC-PA didactic standards.

·         Teach within the didactic or clinical curriculum in areas of expertise as appropriate to program needs and in accordance with institutional expectations and accreditation standards for the Program Director role.

·         Engage in scholarly and professional activities as appropriate to program needs that support ongoing growth in PA education and clinical practice, which may include educational research, clinical scholarship, contributions to professional organizations, presentations, and continuing medical education.

Engagement and Service 

·         Serve as a visible ambassador for the PA program and Colby-Sawyer College within the college, the local community, and the broader health care community.

·         Participate in college, school, and program governance, committees, and service activities as appropriate to the Program Director role.

·         Represent the PA program at regional, state, and national PA and health professions education meetings and maintain active involvement in professional organizations that support the program and the PA profession.