Director of Didactic Education, PA Studies

Location: Hickory, North Carolina

Position Description

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program faculty have primary responsibility for design and implementation of the educational curriculum, facilitation of all aspects of student learning and student advisement for achievement of educational goals. This principal faculty position has additional administrative duties that support the assessment of student learning and progress during the program’s didactic education phase.  The director of didactic education works with the PA Studies program director, PA Studies faculty, and the didactic year team to ensure the didactic year student learning outcomes are met. All positions are based on enrollment and subject to available funding.  

Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff, and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation, and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.

Type of Appointment

Faculty: Assistant Professor (or as determined by Provost of Academic Affairs); promotion per the Lenoir-Rhyne University Faculty Handbook, with appointments and privileges comparable to other faculty with similar academic responsibilities in the institution. 12-month, Full time

Position Location

School of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health Sciences, Hickory, NC, in-person

Reporting

The Lenoir-Rhyne University PA Studies program faculty report to the Program Director.

Qualifications

1. A master’s degree in a medical science related field is required, with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in content relevant to physician assistant education. A master’s degree from an accredited physician assistant program is preferred.  
2. A minimum of two years of relevant academic experience or clinical practice experience is required.
3. Candidates must be currently NCCPA certified or emeritus.
4. Applicants must hold a valid PA license in the State of North Carolina or be eligible to obtain licensure.
5. Teaching experience in PA education, either in the clinical setting or classroom is preferred.
6. Candidates must possess strong organizational, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills.
7. A record of professional, academic, and administrative achievement is preferred.
8. Active participation or leadership in local, regional, or national PA organizations is preferred.  
9. Experience with curriculum development, review, and revision is preferred.

Essential Position Duties and Professional Responsibilities

1. Support program by contributing to the development, review, and continual improvement of the program’s mission, goals, and competencies in alignment with accreditation standards and institutional priorities.  
2. Contribute to instruction and assessment as course coordinator, lecturer, laboratory instructor, and/or small group discussion facilitator in areas aligned with clinical experience and academic preparation; assist with remedial instruction as assigned.
3. Support curriculum operations including the planning, development, delivery, mapping, and continual improvement of program content.
4. Participate in all program operations including participation in admissions and recruitment, as well as instructional, evaluative, administrative, and accreditation-related activities as directed by the program director.
5. Provide academic advising and mentorship to students throughout the duration of the program.
6. Engage in shared governance and other service on program, college, and university committees, other university governance bodies, and through other service to the institution and community.
7. Demonstrate professional leadership through active involvement in relevant physician assistant organizations.
8. Maintain required professional licensure and certification as applicable to the role.
9. Pursue continuing professional development relevant to clinical, educational, and academic responsibilities.  
10. Maintain confidentiality entrusted to you by students, colleagues or university.
11. Foster a respectful and welcoming campus environment.
12. Adhere to ethical principles and professional responsibilities designated by the university faculty handbook.  
13. Perform additional duties as assigned by the program director.

Administrative Duties

In addition to the Essential Duties and Responsibilities outlined above, the Director of Didactic Education is responsible for the following, under the direction of the program director of the PA Program:

1. Serve as the chair of the PA Studies Program Curriculum Committee.
2. Oversee the management of the PA Studies program’s curriculum review.
3. Maintain the PA Studies program’s curriculum map based on the NCCPA curriculum blueprint, ARC-PA Standards of Accreditation, and PA Studies Program Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies in conjunction with annual course objective review.
4. Provide semester-by-semester ongoing analysis of outcome assessments for didactic courses to the program director.
5. In collaboration with the program director and course directors, coordinate the scheduling of instruction (full-time faculty, part-time faculty, adjuncts and others).
6. Orient faculty to the policies and procedures applicable to the didactic components of the PA Studies program.
7. Serve as a mentor to faculty; review and provide feedback to faculty for didactic course materials including course syllabi, instructional materials, instructional resources, evaluation methods, and remediation activities.
8. Provide oversight and support to faculty with respect to advising, instruction, student success to support and optimize student performance and remediation efforts during the didactic phase of the program.
9. Serve as the course director for Didactic Summative.
10. Collaborate with director of clinical education and clinical year team to optimize transition to the clinical phase of the PA Program.

Position requirements in the role description outlined above indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities deemed necessary to perform the job competently. Role descriptions are an overview of the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of the position. Employees may be required to perform other job-related assignments as requested and acquire new skills and responsibilities. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify, add, remove, or waive the responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position.

Application Process

While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:

• Letter of Application specifically discussing how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position.
• Curriculum Vitae, including the names and addresses of three professional references

About College of Health Sciences

The College of Health Sciences provides current and practical knowledge and skills that prepares students for success in differing health science careers. The college offers four undergraduate degrees in exercise science, nursing, public health, and sports management. At the graduate level, the college offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP/FNP).

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir-Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.  

LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.  

To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.  

LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.  

Apply