Program Director for the Physician Assistant Program - Tiber Health, Public Benefit

WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2018 in the heart of downtown St. Louis, Ponce Health Sciences University is answering a need for more healthcare professionals by preparing more students for jobs with a world-class, culturally-competent education. Whether you’re an aspiring doctor or psychologist, PHSU St. Louis is focused on helping our students reach their professional goals.

Ponce Health Sciences University’s history dates back to its founding in 1977 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. We’ve been expanding our prestigious health sciences offerings since, with a focus on graduate medical programs. With campuses now in Ponce, San Juan, and St. Louis, we’re expanding our global network while staying committed to preparing students for real-world healthcare careers and clinical situations. 

OUR MISSION

The mission of Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) is to provide a world-class, culturally-competent, health sciences education to the population we serve, through innovative adaptive learning environments focused on the success of its students to become ethical practitioners and scientists.

OUR VISION

The PHSU vision is to build on its reputation as a prestigious academic and research leader educating underrepresented diverse populations while focusing research efforts on solving global health disparities.

PHSU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE 

PHSU St. Louis opened its new School of Medicine in August 2022. With the expansion of our medical program in St. Louis, we will put action behind our vision of providing real education and research opportunities in a community dedicated to addressing and impacting health disparities on local and national levels. PHSU is thrilled to continue our mission to give more students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds access to high-quality medical education and careers. PHSU is a fully U.S. accredited medical school, accredited through LCME.

PHSU St. Louis also currently offers PsyD and MSMS programs.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Physician Assistant Program Director is a member of the faculty (rank commensurate with experience) who also holds an administrative appointment related to managing the PA program. The Program Director is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of the Physician Assistant Program. It is expected that the Program Director provides effective leadership towards ensuring the program consistently meets program and student learning outcomes and follows LCME Accreditation Standards. The Program Director’s responsibilities include classroom instruction, day‐to‐day program operations, assisting students toward successful program completion, and staffing the classroom with instructors who support the mission of PHSU. The Program Director is responsible for the fiscal well‐being of the program as it relates to education and helping to maintain/grow enrollment.

The Program Director also participates in activities that promote the stature of the Department and the campus and abides by the mandates set by the University Board of Trustees, the University President, the University Dean of Academic Affairs, Dean for the School of Medicine, and St. Louis Campus Director.

Principal Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Oversees accreditation activities and assures full compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body standards (LCME) and regulations, as well as adhering to all policies and procedures.
• Provides teaching and instruction in the PA program during the academic year.
• Designs and delivers instruction in alignment with the PHSU model.
• Oversees continuous program evaluation and analysis, curriculum evaluation, analysis and revision, and mission statement review.
• Responsible for providing appropriate support for the accurate completion and timely submission of internal/external reports (e.g., audits, accreditation, credentialing, course observations, and annual Faculty/staff evaluations), programmatic fees and documentation, and university processes as necessary.
• Oversees faculty coordination by effectively managing coursework, clinical site development, and workload of all PA program faculty through demonstration of program organization according to the policies and procedures of the University, supervising the daily operations, which includes the recruiting/interviewing of faculty and scheduling of instruction.
• Provides effective management and leadership through responsiveness to issues related to personnel, strong communication skills, and proactive problem solving with resolutions according to PHSU policies and procedures.
• Oversees program development and planning with proper fiscal management in collaboration with the Campus Leadership Team.
• Administers the program, program/department initiatives designed to achieve student outcomes, and Campus/community relations.
• Relates professional/clinical experience to learning by continuing professional/ clinical skills development and introducing professional/clinical perspective into courses.
• Promotes student success by showing flexibility and exhibiting a passion for teaching and students while ensuring a positive educational experience.
• Notifies expected or unexpected substantive change within the program and of any change in institutional accreditation status or legal authority to provide postsecondary education.
• Engages in service, community and campus relations, and scholarly activities appropriate to the role of the Program Director.
• Participates in faculty development opportunities each year as required in the areas of teaching and academic administration and advocates for faculty professional development.
• Manages the operations of student professional organizations, as appropriate by program.
• In the absence of a Department Chair for the PA program, the Program Director is co-responsible with the Dean of the School of Medicine for accreditation activities on his/her campus which are normally handled by the Department Chair.
• A minimum of 80% of time is devoted to academic and administrative responsibilities in support of the PA program.
• Adheres to university policies and performs instructional duties as assigned and outlined in the job description and in accordance with the provisions of Faculty Supplement to the PHSU Employee Handbook.
• Communicates consistently and effectively with Supervisors, University Administrators, Faculty, and other PHSU Departments.
• Manages the learning environment through keeping accurate records and enforcing academic policies consistent with the University, College/School, and Campus.
• Assists with other responsibilities as determined by the Campus Director, Dean of the School of Medicine, and, if applicable, the Department Chair.

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual must be dependable, team-oriented, and have good inter-personal and communication/ organization skills and the ability to interact effectively with employees, students, and leaders. Excellent written, verbal communication. Excellent organizational skills. Time management and the ability to meet deadlines and multi-task are required. Critical thinking skills when reviewing documents, spreadsheets, and other data points.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Listed below are the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position, as well as the Physical Demands and Work Environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Master’s Degree, Terminal Degree is preferred from an accredited institution in the discipline to be taught, with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline) required.

• A minimum of three years of successful performance in a full-time university-level teaching role and prior management experience in higher education or in another organization within the program director’s discipline.
• At least 3 years of full-time higher education experience at the time of appointment is required.
• Successful record of increasing responsibility or project/initiative leadership within a university or industry setting.
• Practical experience in PA Education and knowledge of current best practices in medicine.
• Ability to develop and complete projects without continued direct supervision.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret accreditation criteria, state agency regulations, and academic journals.

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have general knowledge of computers including Microsoft Office Applications such as Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel. Experience with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, and MSFT Teams. Experience in academic platforms such as Canvas.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Active, valid, and unencumbered PA state licensure in Missouri and NCCPA certification or emeritus status are required. Membership in a professional association tied to the area of instruction (preferred).

NOTE: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed the employee will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor. An employee is expected to assist and provide coverage for coworkers during peak periods, vacation days or sick days.

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity.  Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability, or veteran status.  Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance its values consistent with the PHSU mission.  This policy applies to admission, students, employment, and access to and treatment in PHSU programs and activities.  This is a commitment made by the PHSU and is in accordance with federal, state and/or local laws and regulations.