Director of Didactic Education

The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) 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 in the M.S. in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program has additional administrative duties that support the assessment of student learning and progress during the PA Studies program’s didactic education phase. The Director of Didactic Education works with the PA Studies Program Director, didactic PA Studies faculty and the didactic year team including didactic instructional faculty to ensure the didactic year student learning outcomes are met. All positions are based on enrollment and subject to available funding.

Type of Appointment

Faculty: Assistant Professor (or as determined by Provost of Academic Affairs); promotion per the Lenoir-Rhyne University "Faculty Handbook."
12-month; Full-time

Position Location

School of Physician Assistant Studies, College of Health Sciences, Hickory, N.C. campus, in-person

Reporting
The Lenoir-Rhyne University MSPAS Program Faculty report to the Program Director.

Essential Faculty Duties and Responsibilities

1. Developing, reviewing, and revising as necessary the mission statement, goals, and competencies of the Program
2. Contribute to student instruction and evaluation as course coordinator, lecturer, laboratory instructor and/or small group discussion facilitator in areas appropriate to clinical experience and educational preparation including actively taking part in assuring the availability of remedial instruction as assigned by the Program Director
3. Contribute to the management of curriculum planning, development, delivery, mapping, and review.
4. Contributes to admissions process and student recruitment, instructional or evaluative processes with clinical and/or didactic, administrative and accreditation activities of the MSPAS Program, as directed by the Program Director.
5. Provide academic advising support to students throughout the educational program.
6. Support governance activities of the MSPAS Program, department and university by serving on standing and ad hoc committees, task forces and other university governance bodies.
7. Participate in service activities to the MSPAS Program, university and community appropriate to experience and areas of interest.
8. Participate in leadership within professional organizations appropriate to experience and educational preparation.
9. Conduct scholarship and/or research in areas of academic interests.
10. Maintain professional licensure and/or certification.
11. Participate in professional development activities appropriate for areas of professional expertise.
12. Perform other duties deemed necessary by the Program Director of the MSPAS Program.

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, PA Studies program:

1. Serve as the chair of the PA 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 on-going analysis of outcome assessment for didactic courses to the Program Director.
5. In collaboration with the Program Director and course directors, coordinate the scheduling of instructors (principal faculty, adjunct faculty, didactic educators and guests).
6. Orient course instructors to the policies and procedures applicable to the didactic components of the PA Studies program.
7. Serve as a mentor to instructional 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 the PA Studies faculty advisors, course instructors and student success team 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 Studies program.

Qualifications

1. Required master’s degree at a minimum; a master’s degree earned from an accredited physician assistant program is preferred or have at least a master’s degree in a medical science related field and content knowledge to instruct graduate PA Studies students
2. Required minimum of two years of relevant experience or clinical practice experience
3. Required to be a PA and have current NCCPA certification 
4. Required to have a valid PA license in the State of North Carolina or eligibility to obtain such licensure 
5. Preferred teaching experience in PA Studies education in the clinical setting and/or classroom
6. Required to possess strong organizational, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills
7. Preferred record of professional, academic and administrative achievement
8. Preferred active participation/leadership in local, regional or national PA Studies organization
9. Required to have a strong commitment to achieve the missions of the MSPAS Program and Lenoir-Rhyne University
10. Preferred experience with curriculum development, review and revision

Behavioral Expectations

• Maintain high integrity, confidentiality and ethical standards.
• Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
• Maintain and contribute to a professional, respectful, courteous, diverse, equitable and inclusive environment.
• Treat other individuals with dignity, respect and kindness.
• Adhere to all university policies, procedures, standards, values and comply with all federal state, and local laws.

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 for 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.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are integral to the university’s commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience engaging with diversity and equity through activities such as fostering an inclusive environment, working with faculty and/or students from diverse backgrounds and/or incorporating diverse perspectives in their current or previous positions.

About Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private masters comprehensive liberal arts institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a town of more than 40,000. The university has additional off-campus instructional sites in Asheville, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina. The university now offers more than 50 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 a sense of community, and promote responsible leadership for service in the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne promotes diverse campuses open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

About College of Health Sciences

The College of Health Sciences at Lenoir-Rhyne University provides current and practical knowledge and skills that prepares students for success in differing health science careers. The college offers four undergraduate degrees: Exercise Science, Nursing, Public Health and Sports Management. At the graduate level the college offers: Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Public Health, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy

Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, disability status, genetics, pregnancy or veteran status.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy extends to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluations, compensation and benefits as well as the education setting. Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to providing an environment that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.

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