Director of Didactic Education, Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA)

The Director of Didactic Education (DDE) provides effective leadership for all aspects of the didactic phase of the MSPA program. The DDE is responsible for oversight of the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Program's didactic curriculum. The Director of Didactic Education must possess prior teaching experience in PA education, as well as strong leadership and organizational skills. This full-time position reports directly to the Program Director and works collaboratively with MSPA program faculty and staff.

Education and Experience

The successful candidate must be or possess the following:

• Graduate of an ARC-PA accredited program.
• Master's Degree or higher in a field related to the PA profession.
• Minimum of three years of experience working in a clinical setting as a Physician Assistant.
• Current certification through the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
• PA licensure (or eligibility for licensure) in the state of California.
• Minimum of one year of full-time experience in a PA program (or the equivalent).
• Will consider two years of part-time PA education experience (or the equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Oversee the design, development, implementation, coordination, evaluation, and maintenance of the didactic curriculum, which includes ensuring full compliance with ARC-PA Standards.
• Contribute to initial and ongoing accreditation activities by serving as the content expert for all aspects of the didactic phase.
• Lead the comprehensive assessment of the didactic phase, including data collection and thoughtful analysis.
• Develop the teaching schedule and workload for the didactic phase.
• Provide student instruction in areas of clinical expertise using active learning methods.
• Counsel and mentor students related to academic and professional development.
• Serve as a part of the program's leadership team by providing mentorship and support to new faculty.
• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and evaluation of instructional faculty and preceptors for the didactic phase of the program.
• Collaborate with the Program Director and MSPA program faculty to perform programmatic evaluation.
• Develop, review, and revise as necessary the mission statement, goals, and competencies of the program.
• Foster relationships with key stakeholders and community partners to strengthen the didactic phase, as well as create valuable experiential learning and community service opportunities.
• Coordinate instruction (i.e., Course Director) within specified courses.
• Evaluate student performance and provide remediation/reassessment as needed.
• Manage student academic progression, retention, and completion strategies for the didactic phase.
• Participate in the MSPA program's admissions process, including recruitment, application review, interviews, and final selection for admission.
• Evaluate and collaborate with third-party vendors for equipment, software, and services needed to enhance the student experience during the didactic phase.
• Engage in ongoing faculty development, including continued clinical practice and/or educational programs related to clinical medicine or PA education.
• Work collaboratively with academic programs at CSUSB and partner institutions.
• Serve as an active member of MSPA program committees and relevant CSUSB committees.
• Engage in active service and scholarship as defined by the workload policy.
• Perform other duties as determined by the Program Director.

Key Qualifications

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (including being a good listener) to interact and communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies, both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills.
• Advanced time management and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently in a fast-paced organization with competing priorities and distractions.
• Excellent teaching skills, including the ability to engage students.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical, research, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Ability to use high-level discretion and maintain a high level of confidentiality in handling problems of a sensitive nature and security of confidential records.
• Working knowledge of applicable state and federal employment and education laws and regulations.
• Working knowledge of and ability to operate standard office equipment and technology including, but not limited to, desktop computer, laptop, copier, fax machine, scanner, and printer.
• Demonstrated proficiency and ability to effectively use common computer and technology programs and related computer software packages (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, etc.) in the course of assigned duties.

Preferred Qualifications

The following qualifications will also be considered when reviewing applications. However, the qualifications below are not required in order to apply.

• Prior experience in successfully leading and managing a team and/or large-scale project.
• Doctoral degree in a related field (e.g., DMSc, DHSc, PhD, EdD, M.D., D.O.).
• Additional years of clinical practice and/or full-time teaching experience in a PA program (or the equivalent) beyond the requirements.
• Prior experience with curriculum development within a PA program (or the equivalent).
• Ability to incorporate active learning and utilize current educational technology into teaching.
• Prior experience working within a diverse campus community.

About CSUSB

California State University, San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in Inland Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, the university serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. CSUSB reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire. Seventy percent of those who graduate are the first in their families to do so.

At CSUSB, you can:

• Build your future
• Work with the best
• Be your authentic self
• Focus on you
• Make a lasting impact
• Work for a purpose that is greater than your own
• Bring everything you are, become everything you want

About the Program

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is developing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program to help meet the current and future healthcare needs of the region and state. The MSPA program is projected to start in 2025 pending accreditation. To date, CSUSB has received nearly $14 million in funding to support the development of this exciting new program and its facilities. The program will make a lasting impact on increasing access to quality care through an innovative curriculum, involvement in the community, and strategic healthcare partnerships. The program is also committed to diversifying the PA profession so its graduates will more closely mirror the communities they will serve. For more information, please visit csusb.edu/mspa.

Accreditation Status

California State University - San Bernardino has applied for Accreditation - Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). California State University - San Bernardino anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2025, pending achieving Accreditation - Provisional status at the March 2025 ARC-PA meeting.

Accreditation - Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program's ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. The California State University – San Bernardino is fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The MSPA program has been approved by the CSU Board of Trustees to be developed at CSUSB. The program is currently in development and will be submitted to the Chancellor's Office for full approval in Spring 2024.

Compensation and Benefits

Anticipated Hiring Range: $130,000 - $150,000 annually

The CSU system provides a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental and vision plans, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), sick and vacation time, and 14 paid holidays a year. Eligible employees are also able to participate in the fee waiver education program. A summary of benefit information can be found here.

Required Materials for Application

• CV, cover letter, and diversity statement

To view the full job description and apply online, please visit CSUSB Job Opportunities. This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed beginning March 6, 2023.