Assistant Professor and Director of Academic Education

Department Summary

Founded in 1997 and located in the heart of Fort Worth's Cultural District for more than 25 years, the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at HSC is home to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Our program has a long history of preparing skilled, compassionate physician assistants who make a meaningful impact in their communities. Through a commitment to academic excellence, Interprofessional Education, and hands-on experiential learning, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and clinical experience needed to succeed in one of the nation's top healthcare professions. Strong performance on the national certifying exam reflects our dedication to student success and preparing graduates to excel as healthcare providers.

Position Overview

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is seeking a PA educator for an open rank faculty position with an administrative appointment as Director of Academic Education (DAE). The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience in teaching and scholarship, and proficiency with common software applications. Responsibilities include preparing and delivering instruction, assessing student performance, participating in program evaluation and student recruitment activities, mentoring students in their professional development, conducting research related to PA practice or education, pursuing grant opportunities, and engaging in other scholarly activities. Faculty are given release time to maintain clinical skills through clinical practice opportunities and enjoy a collaborative academic environment, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

In addition to a PA Faculty role, the Director of Academic Education (DAE) collaborates closely with the Program Director, Curriculum Committee, Student Performance Committee, Communication Committee, and Accreditation Committee to oversee and maintain curricular coherence. The DAE secures adequate classroom and laboratory space and scheduling, ensures curricular alignment with ARC-PA accreditation standards and the overall mission of the program, and facilitates cross department communication while acting as a liaison between departments on campus to coordinate education and testing for PA Students. The DAE works with course directors and the Director of Clinical Education to design, implement, coordinate, schedule, and evaluate educational activities taking place in the didactic and clinical phase of the curriculum. The DAE is directly responsible for the scheduling of the semester orientation meetings, didactic courses, course sequencing, and evaluating student performance. The DAE provides oversight and direction to course directors on course content, methods used to deliver course content, instructional faculty, student assessment, and evaluation of student assessments. Major changes are coordinated between the DAE, PAS-CC, and the PD. The DAE is responsible for ensuring that didactic courses are evaluated by course directors at the end of each semester and tracks the effectiveness of changes made to those courses. This position may be assigned additional duties and may be required to participate in special projects, consistent with the responsibilities and objectives of the position and the needs of the department, college, and university.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master's degree in PA Studies or a related field is required.
• Three or more years of highly relevant, full-time professional experience to be considered for the Assistant Professor position.
• Five or more years of highly relevant, full-time professional experience to be considered for the Associate Professor position. Candidates who have served as an Associate Professor for at least five years or Professor to be considered for the Professor position.
• Applicants must currently hold or be eligible for PA licensure in the State of Texas.
• Current NCCPA certification is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate the PA profession's competencies to other in an educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in higher education is preferred but not required.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

• Applicants must currently hold or be eligible for PA licensure in the State of Texas.
• Current NCCPA certification is required.

Job Duties

• Preparing instruction, delivering instruction, and assessing student performance.
• Participating in the programs self-evaluation processes.
• Participating in student recruitment, interviews and selection.
• Mentoring students in their professional development.
• Conducting research related to PA practice or education.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit - and takes actions to prevent - discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.