Full-Time Program Director, Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Job Description
Ursuline College, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director, Department of Physician Assistant Studies. Ursuline College seeks a team-oriented, motivated, and innovative leader to serve 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. The position reports to the Dean of the Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions. This is a twelve-month, full-time position with rank and tenure or non-tenure track depending on qualifications.
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
- Strategic planning, administration and organization of the PA program and department to further its mission and goals.
- Knowledge of and compliance with the ARC-PA accreditation standards.
- Hiring, supervision, and evaluation of principal faculty, medical director and program staff.
- Planning and development of PA Program curriculum, policies, and procedures.
- Regular evaluation of the quality and integrity of the program and its graduates to ensure continuous improvement and appropriate allocation of resources.
- Developing and managing the program budget, including anticipation of needs and events as well as the consequences of budgetary actions.
- Proactive facilitation in acquiring external funds to enhance the mission of the program.
- Coordination and participation in student recruitment, applicant admissions and interviewing process.
- Supervision in identifying and developing clinical sites for student rotations while assuring the clinical sites and preceptors meet ARC-PA standards.
- Advocacy for the physician assistant program and the development of community partners.
- Instruction within the curriculum in areas of knowledge and expertise.
- Supervision of the academic advising of PA students.
- Planning and implementation of professional development activities for principal faculty.
- Participation in student evaluation by grading written assignments, written examinations, OSCEs, practical skill competencies, and oral presentations.
- Participation in faculty meetings and retreats, and department and college committees.
- Providing program faculty with guidance, counsel, and mentoring for promotion and tenure.
- Maintaining NCCPA certification.
- Participation in appropriate local, state, and national physician assistant educational and professional associations.
- Participation in clinical practice or research activities depending on position.
- Maintaining a high level of professionalism and integrity to be a role-model for physician assistant students.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree required; Doctorate degree strongly preferred.
- Current NCCPA certification.
- Minimum of 3 years of full-time higher education; experience in physician assistant education strongly preferred.
- Experience as a Program Director or Associate Director in a PA Program is ideal, but outstanding candidates with related leadership experience will still be considered.
- Successful experience with establishing or participating in an Initial Provisional PA Program preferred. However, we welcome exceptional candidates with a strong vision for building a new program that meets ARC-PA standards.
- Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited physician assistant program.
- Minimum of 3 years of clinical experience as a practicing physician assistant.
- Eligibility for licensure in the state of Ohio.
- Experience with the ARC-PA accreditation process.
- Collaborative leadership characteristics and effective communication skills.
- Strong commitment to fulfill the mission of the PA Program and the college.
- Experience with establishing and implementing interprofessional education.
- Strong interest in cultural inclusion and diversity in student enrollment, hiring and instruction.
The Program Director should also 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.
About the Institution
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.
The College utilizes women-focused education that plays out across our curriculum, with courses highlighting women’s issues and emphasis on women’s learning styles and women’s leadership development. An Ursuline education seeks to develop the uniqueness of each person, adapts to the needs of the time, and is open to constant learning. Students are mentored by professional faculty members, benefit from partnerships with Cleveland’s best businesses, and thrive in an environment of collaboration and discussion.
The Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions at Ursuline offers a BSN, an Accelerated Nursing Program, an RN to BSN, an MSN, an online DNP, and more. Named a national Center of Excellence, Ursuline’s Breen School of Nursing offers flexible, affordable, career-focused nursing programs. Ranked #2 among nursing colleges in Ohio and in the top 10% of all programs in the U.S., Ursuline College’s Breen School of Nursing and Health Professions is one of the most respected nursing programs in the country.
About the Community
Pepper Pike, Ohio is located just 12 miles east of downtown Cleveland. With a population of about 6,800 residents, this Cleveland suburb offers a perfect blend of suburban tranquility and vibrant community life. Known for its upscale residential neighborhoods and lush greenery, Pepper Pike provides a serene and family-friendly environment. Residents appreciate the city’s commitment to excellent, nationally recognized schools, ensuring a top-notch education for children. The community is also renowned for its beautiful parks and recreational areas, and has even been named a “Tree City USA” several consecutive years by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
Cleveland itself is a major and growing center of medicine, arts, culture, and sports. Located in northeast Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately 60 miles west of the Pennsylvania border, Cleveland is part of the Great Lakes Region.
Just nine miles from Ursuline College, Cleveland’s University Circle is an urban oasis with more than 20 artistic and cultural institutions, including: Cleveland Botanical Garden, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Western Reserve Historical Society.
Downtown Cleveland also has much to offer. Not only is it home to the city’s professional sports teams – Guardians, Browns, and Cavaliers – but it is also a cultural hub for theater, dining, and nightlife. Playhouse Square is the second-largest theatre district behind Broadway. Nearby, East 4th Street is a pedestrian-only street, featuring concert and comedy venues and world-class dining options, including James Beard award-winning restaurants. Each March, you’ll also find the Cleveland International Film Festival in the heart of Public Square at Tower City Center.
How to Apply
All correspondence relating to the position of Program Director, Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Ursuline College should be directed in confidence to the College’s executive search consultant:Erin House, Assistant Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
A complete application should include the following:- Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
- Current CV;
- Three (3) professional references with contact information, title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers (no references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate).
