Assistant Director, Physician Assistant Studies

This position primarily supports the Director of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies in ensuring ongoing compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards and assisting with overall program management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate data collection, analysis, and implementation of action plans required for accreditation.
• Maintain program documentation and support operational processes that promote program quality and efficiency.
• Monitor overall student academic performance throughout the clinical year, with particular attention to end-of-rotation examinations, clinical course grades, and preceptor evaluations.
• Collaborate with the Program Director in the development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the PA curriculum, ensuring compliance with ARC-PA standards and alignment with program goals.
• Assist the Program Director with evaluation of the curriculum, including program goals, objectives, and content, to include outcomes assessment.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, faculty, and staff in managing the ARC-PA accreditation process to ensure continuous, programmatic data collection, analysis, and implementation of action plans necessary for maintaining accreditation.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive data tables required for ARC-PA accreditation, including but not limited to student cohort performance metrics, program outcomes, and survey data.
• Analyze program-level data to identify trends, gaps, and areas for improvement in alignment with ARC-PA standards.
• Collaborate with the Program Director, staff, and faculty to implement action plans based on data analysis, ensuring measurable improvements and compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Organize and document all accreditation-related data in accordance with ARC-PA requirements, ensuring accuracy for audits, self-study, and site visits.
• Supervise and evaluate all adjunct PA program faculty, part-time faculty, the Program Coordinator, and the Clinical Coordinator.
• Prepare staff schedules and all faculty teaching assignments in collaboration with the Program Director.
• Assist the Program Director in the recruitment, selection, and orientation of program faculty and staff.
• Ensure that all clinical and observational experiences meet the expectations of the PA program and ARC-PA and contribute toward established and expected outcomes and objectives for students.
• Oversee the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of program policies, procedures, and handbook content.
• Assist with recruitment of students and maintain relationships with area healthcare providers and the community to support clinical sites, program enrollment, and program goals.
• Support the Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, and faculty with clinical site visits, on a schedule approved by the Program Director.
• Serve as an academic advisor for biomedical sciences students interested in PA studies.
• Plan, coordinate, and manage orientation programs for PA students entering both the didactic and clinical years.
• Assist the Program Director with developing the program’s cost center budget.
• Manage the PA Program Advisory Committee, including coordinating meetings, preparing agendas and materials, documenting minutes, and ensuring follow-up on action items.
• Attend continuing education programs for self-improvement and program development.
• Serve as acting supervisor for faculty and staff in the Program Director’s absence, providing guidance, support, and oversight to ensure continuity of operations and adherence to departmental and institutional policies and standards.
• Be appointed “interim” program director in the event of the current Program Director requiring extensive leave of absence or if resignation is given. In accordance with ARC-PA, an Interim Program Director can only remain for 12 months’ duration.
• May teach up to six (6) credits or eight (8) contact hours or equivalent per semester in consultation with and approval of the immediate supervisor.
• Serve on College committees as requested or designated.
• Participate in local, state, and national professional organizations.
• Assist with the preparation of grant proposals.
• Occasional driving required.
• Occasional evening/weekend hours to meet the needs of the program.

Requirements

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Master’s Degree (or higher) or a master’s degree in progress with a plan for completion within one year of hire.
• NCCPA (National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants) certification without restrictions in any state of the United States where licensing occurred.
• Current Physician Assistant license to practice in Pennsylvania.
• Three (3) years in practice as a PA.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Administrative experience.
• Experience in PA curriculum development, accreditation standards, and program evaluation.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the profession including theory and practice, current procedures, equipment and techniques used, as well as applicable regulations.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with students, staff, faculty, healthcare professionals, and the public.
• Developed organizational skills.
• Sensitivity to the expectations of students, staff, faculty, healthcare professionals, and the public.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to establish positive rapport with healthcare industries and professionals.
• Evidence of self-motivation, creativity, enthusiasm, and leadership.
• Functional ability with microcomputers and mainframe applications.
• Demonstrates an understanding of educational principles and techniques used in higher education classrooms, laboratory, and clinical settings.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid time off.
• Educational benefits for employees and dependents at Penn College and Penn State University.

Pay

Yearly salary range: $107,000 - $112,000.