Director of Physician Assistant Program

JOB DETAILS:

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is a dynamic learning community grounded in academic excellence and focused on student success, diversity, inclusion and community engagement. One of 13 four-year institutions within the University of Wisconsin System, Parkside provides an educational value to our students that's unparalleled. An affordable, high-quality education is an investment in one's future, and we believe the cost of an education should not prevent any student from achieving his or her educational and professional goals. The university is the proud recipient of the 2022 AASCU Excellence & Innovation Award for Student Success and College Completion from The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), a testament to years of strategic efforts.

UW-Parkside has long been known for its strengths in science and health related programs attested to by the naming of its Pre-Health Program as a Signature program at the University (https://www.uwp.edu/learn/programs/signature.cfm). The MSPA program builds and expands upon this strength and tradition of excellence. The successful candidate will be the Founding Director of this program.

UW-Parkside is a great place to start or enhance your career. The campus is nestled in 700 acres of woodland and prairie and two miles west of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, WI. At Parkside we offer competitive pay and benefits, as well as an engaging and supportive work environment. Parkside is a community that's easy to call home. Find out why.

Position Title: Program Director of Master of Science in Physician Assistant Program (hired at the Clinical Professor, or Clinical Associate Professor, or Clinical Assistant Professor Level)

Employment Type: Full Time, Academic Staff

Reports To: The Administrative Director will report to the College of Natural and Health Sciences Dean.

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside invites applications for the position of Program Director of the Master Degree in Physician Assistant Program. The successful candidate will serve as the Founding Director of this new program and will be charged with leading the program through its initial accreditation process.

The Program Director will be responsible for the administration and operation of the program in compliance with the requirements of the University and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA). The Program Director is responsible for effective leadership and management of the PA Program and will carefully attend to issues related to personnel, program and institutional processes, and application of resources. The Program Director will employ strong communication skills in all situations, analyzes and proactively problem solves and monitors, oversees, mentors, supervises and delegates as appropriate to the individuals, setting, or issue. This is a twelve-month position with progression abilities within the Center for Health Sciences and reports directly to the Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences.

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside is seeking an individual who has the ability and interest to contribute and be an integral part of building a Physician Assistant program that creates a community committed to student-centeredness; professional development and scholarship; integrity and ethics; respect, diversity and pluralism; innovation and flexibility; and teamwork and collaboration. The successful candidate will have a vision for building a program and training healthcare professionals that reflect these values and become vital components of the communities they serve.

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Applicants should have PA education leadership experience, a minimum of three years of PA program teaching experience, and minimum of five years of clinical experience
- Applicant must be a NCCPA certified physician assistant
- Minimum Master's degree from an accredited physician assistant program

The ideal candidate will have prior experience with ARC-PA accreditation procedures.

The person hired for this position will work closely with many sections within the College of Natural and Health Sciences including the Dean, Associate Dean, Director for the Center for Health Sciences, the Advising Staff within the College, the Dean's Assistant, and the students within this College. This position will be housed within the College in close proximity to all these stakeholders. The position will report to the Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences and have a strong working relationship with the Director of the Center for Health Sciences within the College.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Oversee the program's organization and administration, providing effective leadership and management;
- Provide knowledge, insight, and overall responsibility for the accreditation process and procedures and maintaining compliance with the Accreditation Standards for Physician Assistant Education;
- Provide timely completion of ARC-PA documents;
- Oversee ongoing program self-assessment to review the quality and effectiveness of student instruction, policies and outcomes and adherence to the ARC-PA standards and policies to assure continued ARC-PA accreditation;
- Actively participate in teaching in areas of expertise as time and responsibilities allow;
- Oversee program's fiscal management as it relates to daily and long-range planning and development;
- Maintain overall responsibility for the ongoing planning and development of the program;
- Facilitate student recruitment and retention; oversee and coordinate the program admission process, including student selection, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions and in collaboration with the CNHS Associate Dean, the Director for the Center for Health Sciences, and advising personnel within the College;
- Provide oversight of the prospective student admissions process to the MSPA program;
- Provide effective leadership and strategic direction with transparent communication with faculty, staff, and students;
- Assist and collaborate with program personnel in the development, coordination and recruitment of clinical rotation sites;
- Conduct annual performance appraisals and Plan of Work exercises for faculty and staff development in PA Program;
- Oversee the PA Program committees;
- Work collaboratively and the College and University leadership to maintain and grow the program's reputation;
- Work collaboratively with the Academic Coordinator and provide instruction, guidance, and support to program staff and adjunct faculty who coordinate, supervise, instruct, and evaluate all students;
- Provide supervision/mentorship to the Medical Director, faculty, and staff in all activities directly relating to the PA Program;
- Manage faculty workload and assign teaching schedules to meet students needs consistent with College and University policies and procedures;
- Be the internal and external representative at appropriate University, State, and Community level functions and activities as needed;
- Other duties to ensure the PA program is operationally sound.

SPECIAL NOTES:

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Wisconsin System provides a liberal benefits package, including participation in a state pension plan.

Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/

Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/benefits-estimator/