Director of Clinical Skills- AZ - College of Veterinary Medicine

Position Summary

The Director of Clinical Skill provides leadership for the design, coordination, delivery, and continuous improvement of the clinical skills curriculum across all eight quarters of the pre-clinical curriculum. Working closely with the Clinical Skills Laboratory Manager, veterinary technicians, course faculty, and college leadership, this individual will ensure thoughtful course sequencing, strong curricular integration of clinical skills with foundational sciences and medical knowledge, and high-quality assessment of clinical and professional competencies. The role includes oversight of laboratory experiences, simulation-based instruction, and skills assessments, with a focus on preparing students for clinical rotations and contemporary veterinary practice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for the structure, coordination, and implementation of the college’s clinical skills curriculum.
• Collaborate with the Clinical Skills Laboratory Manager and other stakeholders to support high-quality technical skills laboratories and simulation-based instruction.
• Ensure alignment of learning objectives, instructional methods, and assessments across the pre-clinical curriculum.
• Lead the development, administration, and continuous refinement of clinical skills assessments.
• Coordinate clinical skills curricular content, logistics, grading rubrics, proctor calibration, and quality assurance processes.
• Integrate clinical reasoning, communication, clinical skills, medical records documentation, and professionalism throughout the curriculum.
• Work with course directors and faculty across departments to support vertical and horizontal curricular integration.
• Manage course scheduling, sequencing, curriculum mapping, and related academic coordination.
• Utilize student feedback, faculty and technician input, learner performance data, and benchmarking to drive ongoing course improvement.
• Develop structured remediation and reassessment processes for students who require additional academic support.
• Maintain alignment with AVMA COE expectations and other applicable standards related to clinical skills training and assessment.
• Serve on relevant college committees, including those related to curriculum, assessment, and competency development.
• Partner with clinicians and faculty to coordinate clinically relevant One Health Grand Rounds for students, faculty, and staff.
• Coordinate and maintain IACUC protocols for live animal-based laboratories.
• Manage the organization, cleanliness, and functionality of the Clinical Skills laboratory, including the sourcing of teaching and training models and stocking of laboratory supplies.

Qualifications

Required

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree from an AVMA-accredited or equivalent institution.
• Experience and comfort working with a wide variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and cattle.
• Experience in veterinary or health professions teaching, course coordination, clinical instruction, and/or learner assessment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred

• Board certification or board eligibility in the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (AVBP) or another relevant specialty area.
• Experience and comfort working with exotic/zoo animals and small ruminants.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical skills training, simulation-based education, and assessment development.
• Experience teaching in a college of veterinary medicine or comparable health professions program.
• Familiarity with accreditation expectations and contemporary trends in veterinary medical education.
• Experience with curriculum mapping, student remediation, and assessment design.

Work Environment

This position primarily operates in a professional academic environment and routinely uses standard office equipment and instructional technologies, including Canvas or other learning management systems, ExamSoft, and Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Demands

This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, communicate, and use a computer for extended periods of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Reporting Relationship

This position reports to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

About Midwestern University and the College of Veterinary Medicine

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit health sciences university with campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois, and Glendale, Arizona, serving more than 6,700 students across a broad range of graduate and professional programs. The College of Veterinary Medicine on the Glendale campus is Arizona's first veterinary college and offers a fully accredited D.V.M. program grounded in One Health, hands-on learning, and student-centered clinical preparation. Students train in classrooms, laboratories, simulation exercises, and clinical environments that support progressive skills development from the first quarter forward. The program is supported by modern academic and clinical resources, including the Companion Animal Clinic, Large Animal Clinic, Diagnostic Pathology Center, and community-focused learning opportunities.

In addition, innovative renovations and strategic enhancements are underway to further strengthen clinical skills and simulation space, support this position, and help establish Midwestern University as a leader in veterinary medical education.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a letter of intent and curriculum vitae, along with the names and contact information (including email addresses) of at least three professional references, through Midwestern University's online job board.

Job board: https://www.midwestern.edu/employment-mwu

For More Information

Kathryn Wycislo, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Clinical Associate Professor

College of Veterinary Medicine

Midwestern University

kwycis@midwestern.edu

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.