Program Director, Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Faculty - Program Director

Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Full-time

Summary

Ursuline College’s Department of Physician Assistant Studies is seeking a team-oriented, motivated, and innovative leader as the program director to lead the ongoing development and growth of the Physician Assistant Program. This position will chair the department and will potentially have the opportunity to expand departmental offerings. This is a twelve-month, full-time position with rank and tenure or non-tenure track depending on qualifications. The position reports to the Dean of the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions.

The program director should possess strong leadership skills and lead by collaboration, inclusion, and engagement of faculty, staff and students. The individual should have a commitment to emphasizing patient-centered care, fostering interprofessional education, and promoting the mission and goals of the department and college. Candidates with demonstrated commitment to working with underrepresented minorities through teaching, mentoring, and research are strongly encouraged to apply.

The college affords strong senior administration support, IPE opportunities, excellent benefits and a tremendous collaborative spirit. Ursuline is committed to establishing an exceptional program with small class sizes to ensure quality education and individualized student attention.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic planning, administration and organization of the PA program and department to further its mission and goals.

2. Knowledge of and compliance with the ARC-PA accreditation standards.

3. Hiring, supervision, and evaluation of principal faculty, medical director and program staff.

4. Planning and development of PA Program curriculum, policies, and procedures.

5. Regular evaluation of the quality and integrity of the program and its graduates to ensure continuous improvement and appropriate allocation of resources.

6. Developing and managing the program budget, including anticipation of needs and events as well as the consequences of budgetary actions.

7. Proactive facilitation in acquiring external funds to enhance the mission of the program.

8. Coordination and participation in student recruitment, applicant admissions and interviewing process.

9. Supervision in identifying and developing clinical sites for student rotations while assuring the clinical sites and preceptors meet ARC-PA standards.

10. Advocacy for the physician assistant program and the development of community partners.

11. Instruction within the curriculum in areas of knowledge and expertise.

12. Supervision of the academic advising of PA students.

13. Planning and implementation of professional development activities for principal faculty.

14. Participation in student evaluation by grading written assignments, written examinations, OSCEs, practical skill competencies, and oral presentations.

15. Participation in faculty meetings and retreats, and department and college committees.

16. Providing program faculty with guidance, counsel, and mentoring for promotion and tenure.

17. Maintaining NCCPA certification.

18. Participation in appropriate local, state, and national physician assistant educational and professional associations.

19. Participation in clinical practice or research activities depending on position.

20. Maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity to be a role-model for physician assistant students.

Qualifications

1. Master’s degree required; Doctorate degree strongly preferred.

2. Current NCCPA certification.

3. Minimum of 3 years of full-time higher education; experience in physician assistant education strongly preferred.

4. Experience as a Program Director or Associate Director in a PA Program preferred.

5. Successful experience with establishing an Initial Provisional PA Program preferred.

6. Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program.

7. Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience as a practicing physician assistant.

8. Eligibility for licensure in the state of Ohio.

9. Experience with the ARC-PA accreditation process.

10. Collaborative leadership characteristics and effective communication skills.

11. Strong commitment to fulfill the mission of the PA Program and the college.

12. Experience with establishing and implementing interprofessional education.

13. Strong interest in cultural inclusion and diversity in student enrollment, hiring and instruction.

About Ursuline College

Ursuline College is a private institution that was founded in 1871. It is a small liberal arts college in a suburban setting only 12 miles from Cleveland. The campus is nestled on 62 beautiful green rolling acres on Lake Elissa. It was founded in Roman Catholic heritage as a women’s college. Currently the student population of the College is 90% female, with 59% undergraduate students and 41% graduate students. Nearly one third of the students (including 28% of the graduate student population) are members of historically underrepresented population.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send a current curriculum vitae, cover letter addressing interest in position and qualifications, and names and contact information for three references to the following email:

Patricia A. Sharpnack DNP, RN CNE, NEA-BC, ANEF, FAAN

Dean and Strawbridge Professor

Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions

Ursuline College

2550 Lander Road, Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124 psharpnack@ursuline.edu

Applications received by February 15, 2024 will receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

Ursuline College provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local laws.