Physician assistant - medical director

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POSITION SUMMARY:

The Medical Director is a member of the faculty (rank commensurate with experience). The Medical Director supports the Program Director to ensure that didactic instruction and supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) align with current practice standards for physician assistants (PAs).

This role includes active participation in developing the mission and vision, delivering instruction, evaluating student performance, and contributing to curriculum design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation. The Medical Director also plays a key role in program assessment to ensure compliance with ARC-PA Accreditation Standards.

As a strong advocate for the PA program, the Medical Director supports ongoing development and review of the curriculum and competencies to reflect evolving practice standards. They are instrumental in helping the program ensure that students achieve the Program Student Learning Outcomes necessary for PA practice. Additionally, the Medical Director engages with the clinical community in support of the program’s development of clinical partnerships.

The Medical Director also participates in activities that promote the stature of the department and the campus and abides by the mandates set by the South University Board of Trustees, University Chancellor, University Vice President ‐ Academic Affairs, Campus President, and the local Executive Committee.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide ongoing, competent medical guidance to ensure that both didactic and supervised clinical practice experience (SCPE) instruction reflect current standards of care and evidence-based practice.
• Assists program faculty in the continuous review and assessment of all phases of the PA program curriculum and supports ongoing self‐study and program improvement efforts.
• Serves as an advocate for the program and the PA profession within the medical and academic communities promoting awareness and utilization of PAs.
• Participates as a member of the Clinical Education Team by supporting clinical site development and retention.
• Ensures achievement of the program’s student learning outcomes and graduate competencies by active engagement with clinical facilities and preceptors.
• Serves as a member of the Admissions Committee by participating in student recruitment, applicant interviews, screening candidates, reviewing the admissions process, engaging in candidate selection, and supporting data-driven process improvements.
• Participates in accreditation activities and supports ongoing program evaluation, including review of the mission and vision statements and program goals.
• Provides teaching and instruction in the PA program including:
• Coordinating instructional faculty (preceptors) in SCPE/rotation courses.
• Lecturing in areas of clinical and/or professional expertise.
• Providing academic advising to students as needed.
• Supports curriculum design, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement by participating in the critical analysis of data during program meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Evaluates student performance and provides remedial instruction and support as appropriate to promote academic success.
• Participates in the evaluation of student performance during objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), lab practicals, as well as clinical reasoning, problem-solving, clinical and technical skills sessions throughout the didactic and clinical phases of the program.
• Assists the Program Director in the recruitment and evaluation of teaching faculty and clinical preceptors, including participation on search committees.
• Actively participates in Student Progress and Promotions Committee meetings, faculty retreats, student orientation, white coat ceremonies, PA Day activities, Program Advisory Council (PAC) meetings, and other faculty/student community events.
• Maintains the highest moral and ethical standards in all professional and evaluative responsibilities.
• Represents the PA Department and the program at professional organization meetings, conferences, and social functions as necessary.
• Remains current in the practice of medicine and participates in required annual faculty development opportunities as outlined in the Faculty Supplement.
• Participates in service, community engagement, campus relations, and scholarly activities appropriate to the Medical Director role.
• Assists with additional responsibilities as assigned by the Program Director, the Campus Director/Dean of Academic Affairs and Operations, the PA Department Chair, and the Dean of the College of Health Professions.
• Performs duties as assigned and outlined in the faculty job description and in accordance with the provisions of Faculty Supplement to the South University Employee Handbook.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Must be a currently or previously licensed osteopathic or allopathic physician or physician assistant.
• Must be currently or previously board certified by the appropriate certifying body.
• If currently licensed, the license must be valid and unencumbered.
• Physician Assistants must be graduates of an accredited PA program and hold current NCCPA certification or emeritus status.
• A doctoral degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Must demonstrate knowledge of current practice standards and the role of the physician assistant.
• A minimum of five years of clinical experience is required.
• A minimum of two years of healthcare leadership experience is required and a preference of at least two years of teaching experience in a graduate-level, health-related profession.
• Possess a strong commitment to the purpose and goals of South University and the Physician Assistant Program.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to build successful relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures, and perspectives can thrive.