Medical Education Learning Specialist School of Medicine

Overview:

The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine is seeking a dynamic Medical Education Learning Specialist to support our students in our state-of-the-art North Haven campus.

The Learning Specialist for the MD School of Medicine plays a vital role in empowering medical students to thrive academically and professionally. Through individualized coaching, comprehensive learning assessments, and evidence-based strategies, this role helps students strengthen study habits, enhance self-regulation, refine test-taking skills, and deepen clinical reasoning. As a key partner working collaboratively with faculty, deans, Academic Success Support Team, and the University Learning Commons, the Learning Specialist will lead efforts to identify students at academic risk early and provide targeted support in early intervention, and remediation.

This position bridges the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Medical Education, ensuring a coordinated approach to learning support, progression, and curricular alignment. This position contributes to advancing the school’s mission to develop physician-leaders who are self-directed, reflective, and committed to lifelong learning and success in clinical practice.

About the School of Medicine:
The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University (QU Netter), which welcomed its inaugural class in 2013, is dedicated to educating compassionate, patient-centered physicians who lead with integrity, collaborate across the healthcare spectrum, and advance the health of communities they serve.

Located on Quinnipiac’s North Haven Campus - home to the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Sciences, Law, and Education - QU Netter offers a state-of-the-art facilities designed to optimize learning. Our integrated, systems-based curriculum emphasizes active learning, early clinical immersion, and collaboration within interprofessional teams, preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing health care landscape.

With 390 medical students, six residency programs, and a faculty dedicated to innovative pedagogy, QU Netter is recognized nationally by U.S. News & World Report as #18 in the nation for graduates practicing in rural areas and as Connecticut’s top-ranked medical school for graduates practicing in primary care. QU Netter continues the inspiring legacy of Dr. Frank H. Netter by educating physicians who combine scientific excellence with humanism, service, and leadership who advance health outcomes and strengthen communities.

At QU Netter, students learn in a culture defined by respect, inclusivity, and shared purpose: to prepare future physicians to care for both our patients and our profession with empathy, skill, and social responsibility. About Quinnipiac: Quinnipiac University is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university currently has an enrollment of 9,700 students in more than 100 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Computing & Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Our 21 Division I teams have achieved remarkable success, boasting multiple conference titles. This includes a 2023 NCAA National Championship win in ice hockey, a three-time defending national champion women’s rugby team, and a trip to the Sweet 16 for our women’s basketball team. The Quinnipiac University Poll is nationally recognized as a leader in public opinion research, and the university is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Princeton Review. The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac #51 among the best colleges in the nation, and second in Connecticut, for our exceptional graduation rate, salary impact, learning facilities, career preparation and learning opportunities. The university is in the midst of program expansion and renewal for both traditional and adult learners, the development of innovative strategic partnerships, and just opened a South Quad with three new buildings. qu.edu. Connect with Quinnipiac on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and X. Responsibilities:

Individualized Academic Coaching and Assessment
• Conduct one-on-one academic coaching sessions with students to evaluate learning behaviors, study strategies, time management, and test-taking approaches.
• Design and implement personalized learning plans for students experiencing academic difficulty or preparing for high-stakes assessments (NBME exams, USMLE Step 1/2).
• Provide structured guidance on analyzing test performance, interpreting item-type errors, and applying clinical reasoning frameworks.
• Collaborate with student advisors, course directors, and faculty mentors to ensure consistency of academic support strategies.

Programmatic and Group Support
• Develop and deliver workshops and small-group sessions on effective learning, metacognition, test preparation, and cognitive resilience.
• Train and partner with the student-led peer tutoring program (Peer Fellows)
• Contribute to orientation, transition-to-medical-school programming, and Step preparation sessions.
• Partner with Student Affairs and the Academic Success Support Team to implement proactive outreach for students flagged by early-alert or assessment systems.

Collaboration and Academic Remediation
• Serve as a key member of the Academic Success Support Team and participate in case discussions regarding remediation and progression.
• Advise the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education on curricular or assessment issues affecting student performance.
• Maintain close communication with faculty and administrators to ensure confidentiality, transparency, and timely coordination.

Data Tracking and Continuous Improvement
• Maintain confidential records of student encounters and progress.
• Analyze outcomes data (exam performance, remediation rates, USMLE outcomes) to identify trends and recommend targeted interventions.
• Participate in continuous quality improvement of student success programs and LCME accreditation documentation.

Professional Development and Scholarship
• Engage in ongoing professional development in learning science, medical education, and academic coaching.
• Participate in national communities of practice such as the Medical Education Learning Specialists (MELS).
• Contribute to presentations or publications related to student learning, remediation, and academic success.

Reporting Relationships and Integration
• The Learning Specialist reports administratively to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs, ensuring coordination with student advising, counseling, and progression oversight.
• The position maintains a functional reporting line to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, ensuring alignment with curriculum design, assessment, and faculty development.
• The Learning Specialist is an active member of the Academic Success Support Team and related committees/groups focused on student learning and remediation.

Education Requirements:

• Master’s degree or higher in Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences, Cognitive Science, Instructional Design, Higher Education, or a related field

Qualifications:

• Minimum three years of experience in academic coaching, learning strategy instruction, or academic support with adult or graduate learners
• Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, metacognition, and assessment design relevant to professional education
• Experience in medical, health professions, or graduate-level education environments preferred
• Familiarity with NBME-style multiple-choice questions, Step 1/Step 2 content domains, and clinical reasoning frameworks
• Strong ability to analyze academic performance data and design individualized remediation plan
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated capacity to build rapport with diverse learners
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, administrators, and other academic support staff
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and holistic student support Training or certification in academic coaching or educational therapy preferred
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds