2022 Volunteer Opportunities
Interested individuals are asked to apply by October 29, 2021.
*Please check back occasionally for additional positions that may open during the year.
Mission Advancement Commissions
The Mission Advancement Commissions (MACs) advise the PAEA Board of Directors on strategic issues related to their mission area. Each year, the MACs work in partnership with the Board of Directors to develop areas of focus for the year. MACs are responsible for making strategic recommendations related to mission critical areas, providing regular mission-area updates, and keeping PAEA leadership apprised of important developments.
Meeting Commitments: Each group will be funded for one in-person meeting annually. Members will also participate in regular conference calls as needed to accomplish their work.
Faculty Development Mission Advancement Commission (FDMAC)
2 Member Positions Available
Position Description: The FDMAC is seeking two volunteers to join the commission to advance faculty development in alignment with the strategic priorities outlined by the Board of Directors and the Association’s mission of leadership, innovation, and excellence in PA education. The FDMAC works as a collaborative team to highlight best practices, share innovative ideas, foster scholarship, provide guidance on products and services, and serve as faculty role models. To be eligible, the candidate must be a program representative at a member program or institutional colleague member. All candidates for steering committee or board positions must sign the Statement of Eligibility for Service and Conflict of Interest at the time of application.
Meeting Commitments: FDMAC members are expected to virtually attend monthly meetings and serve on working subgroups as needed. FDMAC members are also invited to attend an annual leadership meeting and the annual PAEA Education Forum. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: The MAC members will serve a two-year term starting January 1, 2022, and ending December 31, 2023. There is an opportunity to renew for one additional term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong leadership skills
- Experience as a PA educator
- Interest in mentoring new PA educators
Leadership Mission Advancement Commission (LMAC)
4 Member Positions Available
Position Description: The LMAC is seeking four volunteers to join the commission to advance leadership among PA educators in alignment with the strategic priorities outlined by the Board of Directors and the Association’s mission of leadership, innovation, and excellence in PA education. The LMAC works as a collaborative team to highlight best practices in leadership, develop leadership skills among faculty, foster scholarship, provide guidance on products and services, and serve as faculty role models. To be eligible, the candidate must be a program representative at a member program or institutional colleague member. All candidates for steering committee or board positions must sign the Statement of Eligibility for Service and Conflict of Interest at the time of application.
Meeting Commitments: LMAC members are expected to virtually attend monthly meetings and serve on working subgroups as needed. LMAC members are also invited to attend an annual leadership meeting and the annual PAEA Education Forum. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: The MAC members serve a two-year term starting in January and ending in December of the following year, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong leadership skills
- Experience as a PA educator
- Interest in mentoring new PA educators
Research Mission Advancement Commission (RMAC)
4 Member Positions Available
Position Description: The RMAC is seeking four individuals to join a group of other volunteers in their charge to recommend research priorities for the Association, encourage the dissemination of PA educational research, foster faculty scholarship, and educate faculty regarding Association and other data sources that support research. In collaboration with the PAEA Research team, RMAC members will identify strategic opportunities and generate new ideas to advance PA research and faculty research capacity; mentor and develop research resources for PA faculty; and periodically provide guidance on the work of the PAEA Research team, including the revision of survey instruments.
Meeting Commitments: Successful candidates will be expected to participate in meetings as needed. Furthermore, the members may be asked to attend and actively participate in leadership meetings. RMAC members are also invited to attend an annual leadership meeting and annual PAEA Education Forum. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: Successful candidates will serve a two-year term starting January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong leadership skills with a facility for galvanizing a group into action
- Interest in mentoring and guiding newer PA researchers
- Experience as a PA educator
- Research track record, including a demonstrated history of publishing
Supplemental Statement (750 words or less):
- Please write a brief statement sharing your vision for PA research – where should PAEA invest its time and energy and what are the biggest gaps? Please also address the role that you see RMAC playing and how RMAC should interface with PAEA and its research team.
- Please enter a statement of interest highlighting the skills and strengths you would bring to PAEA and the RMAC.
Diversity and Inclusion Mission Advancement Commission (DIMAC)
1 Member Position Available
Position Description: The DIMAC is seeking one individual to join a group of other volunteers in their charge to cultivate an inclusive, equitable learning environment in PA education. The DIMAC works as a collaborative team to identify strategic opportunities and generate new ideas to increase the diversity and inclusion of PA faculty and students. To be eligible, the candidate must be a program representative at a member program or institutional colleague member. All candidates for steering committee or board positions must sign the Statement of Eligibility for Service and Conflict of Interest at the time of application.
Meeting Commitments: The successful candidate will be expected to participate in meetings as needed. Furthermore, the members may be asked to attend and actively participate in leadership meetings. Typical travel includes one annual in-person DIMAC meeting, PAEA’s Education Forum, and possibly other meetings as requested. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: The successful candidate will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Strong leadership skills with a facility for galvanizing a group into action
- Experience as a PA educator
- Interest in mentoring new PA educators
Supplemental Statement (500 words or less):
- Please include a statement of interest highlighting the skills and strengths you would bring to PAEA and the DIMAC.
- Please write a brief statement sharing your vision for promoting an inclusive environment in PA education (i.e., where are the largest gaps in support and/or where should PAEA focus its resources).
Steering Committees, Review Committees, and Boards
The steering committees and boards (i.e., steering groups) are functional groups providing guidance, advice, recommendations, and insights from the PA education community on a specific area, project, or initiative. The work of these groups contributes directly to the ongoing work of PAEA, manifested in specific products, services, and activities.
Meeting Commitments: Each group will be funded for one in-person meeting annually. Members will also participate in regular conference calls, as scheduled. See position descriptions below for additional commitments. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: Members of all steering committees and boards are eligible to serve two two-year terms from January 1 to December 31. Members must have chair support to continue into their second two-year term.
Awards & Honors Review Committee
2 Member Positions Available
Position Description: The Awards and Honors Committee (AHRC) is responsible for promoting and recognizing outstanding contributions to PA education by developing PAEA’s national awards and recognitions. The committee establishes the criteria for the PAEA awards, considers opportunities for future recognition, carefully evaluates submitted nominations for award recipients, and oversees the Pi Alpha Honor Society. Committee members often collaborate with other PAEA groups. All committee members must maintain confidentiality of the awards process and nominations.
Meeting Commitments: AHRC members are expected to virtually attend monthly meetings and serve on working subgroups as needed. AHRC will have one day-long committee meeting. This meeting is currently virtual.
Terms of Service: AHRC members serve a two-year term starting on January 1, 2022 ,and ending on December 31, 2023, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Experience as a PA educator
- Interest in establishing PAEA awards criteria and evaluating submitted nominations
Finance Steering Committee
1 Member Position Available
Position Description: The Finance Steering Committee (FSC) monitors PAEA’s finances, strategically reviews PAEA’s annual budget, and makes recommendations to PAEA’s Board of Directors to ensure growth and stability of PAEA’s revenue base. Since PAEA’s budget is driven by its strategy, members become well-versed in the goals and direction of the Association. Members are intimately aware of the fabric of the Association, including its products and services, and are among the first to know of any new initiatives with financial implications. Members should have experience with creating budgets and the ability to understand financial statements. Members are not expected to create financial statements or PAEA’s detailed line-by-line budget but will participate in a strategic review at the committee’s annual meeting. Members should maintain confidentiality of all committee materials.
Meeting Commitments: FSC members are expected to attend one annual day-long committee meeting. This meeting is currently virtual. Additionally, ad-hoc virtual meetings or conference calls will be held as needed. Meetings most likely will not occur more than one per quarter each year.
Terms of Service: FSC members serve a two-year term starting on January 1, 2022, and ending on December 31, 2023, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Experience as a PA educator
- Experience with creating budgets and ability to understand financial statements
Future Educator Development Steering Committee
1 position available
This steering committee, serving as the voice of PA students and early career PAs, works to bridge resources to develop diverse and inclusive clinician to preceptor and educator pipelines. This committee oversees, initiates, and strategizes student engagement initiatives within PAEA. The steering committee is responsible for the strategic planning of the Future Educator Fellowship, which is designed to explore foundations in teaching, expose students to the current educational environment, and expand professional development and leadership opportunities for students. Members will work to annually attract, review, and identify students to attend PAEA’s competitive fellowship. They will also provide strategic input on content development and design, facilitate programming, and serve as a resource to students during their fellowship experience.
Terms of Service:
- Selected FEDSC members will serve a two-year term from January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2023, with the option for reappointment for a second two-year term.
Skills and Abilities of Member:
- Commitment to leadership, teaching, and education, and the ability to provide a leader/educator perspective
- Experience with mentorship, volunteer leadership, and innovation in early educator training
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion
Exam Development Boards
6 positions available
The Exam Development Board members write and review items for the maintenance and enhancement of PAEA’s suite of exams: PACKRAT®, End of Rotation™, and End of Curriculum™ examinations. Exam Development Board work follows a challenging but rewarding production schedule that involves:
- Writing 20–30 exam questions each year following specific blueprint guidelines
- Reviewing colleagues’ questions in small groups
- Reviewing comments provided by colleagues and editors to revise your work
- Participating in a large group peer-review meeting to approve content for exams administered to more than 70,000 PA students nationwide each year
Successful applicants will be assigned to an Exam Development Board in accordance with the need of the boards.
Additional Application Requirement:
Letters of interest must address three specific areas:
- Why you are interested in exam development work specifically
- Experience you have working as part of a team
- How you would advance diversity and inclusion in this role
Candidates must also submit three sample exam questions. The questions should address the following content and task areas:
- Endocrinology, Scientific Concepts
- HEENOT (head, ears, eyes, nose, oral cavity, and throat), Clinical Therapeutics
- Hematology, Diagnostic Studies
Please refer to the PAEA Assessment website for more information related to content and task areas. Questions may be written for any exam that the applicant deems appropriate.
Meeting Commitments: Exam Development Board members are expected to attend the Exam Development Summit in March of each year for a four-day in-person peer-review meeting. The next Summit is scheduled for March 17-20, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina (or virtually if circumstances require). All applicants should hold these dates on their calendar; travel booking information, including the explanation of participant support, will be sent shortly after appointment confirmation.
Terms of Service: EDB members are eligible to serve unlimited three-year terms that begin March 1 and end following the Exam Development Summit of their final year of service.
Skills and Abilities: Applicants must demonstrate skill in multiple-choice and vignette-style item writing, a commitment to service and collaboration, and the ability to engage in a rigorous item development and review process. Members may not hold item writing or review responsibilities outside the requirements of their faculty role (e.g., NCCPA, NBME, and other test and test-preparation services and publications). Members will be asked to sign an additional volunteer agreement if appointed.
Government Relations Steering Committee
2 positions available
This steering committee plays a crucial role in developing PAEA’s advocacy priorities and supporting the organization’s advocacy initiatives on key issues ranging from clinical site availability to student loan and loan repayment policy. Committee members contribute meaningfully to the development and execution of PAEA’s advocacy agenda through monthly meetings and ongoing engagement with the legislative and executive branches.
Specific responsibilities for the member position include:
- Attending advocacy meetings with your elected representatives and congressional staff
- Reviewing potential PAEA nominees to federal advisory committees
- Evaluating applications for the annual Student Health Policy Fellowship
- Providing input on PAEA’s advocacy agenda and policy priorities
- Advising other PA educators on federal and state policy issues
Term Exception: Members are eligible to serve one three-year term and one two-year term.
Skills and Abilities: Applicants must demonstrate awareness and understanding of federal policies, legislation, regulatory activities, and political issues.
The Grants and Scholarship Review Committee
The Grants and Scholarship Review Committee (GSRC) evaluates grant applications from PAEA faculty members for three research grant solicitations each year. Volunteer reviewers are asked to rate the core criteria and provide detailed feedback to applicants on methodology, analysis, and research design. PAEA also periodically facilitates mentorship requests from applicants who have specific questions pertaining to their research projects.
1 chair position available
Position Description: The GSRC is seeking a chair to lead a group of other volunteers in their charge of reviewing applications for PAEA’s research grants, which include the Don Pedersen Research Grant, the Faculty-Generated Research Grant and the Support to Advance Research (STAR) Program.
Meeting Commitments: The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with PAEA staff on the selection of awardees after consideration of all of the application reviews conducted by GSRC members. Furthermore, the chair may be asked to attend and actively participate in leadership meetings. Typical travel includes PAEA’s Education Forum, and possibly other meetings as requested. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: The GSRC Chair term will begin January 1, 2022, and end December 31, 2024. Chairs have the option serving an additional term, for a maximum of two three-year terms.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Proficiency in qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, research design, survey design, statistical analysis, and topical issues (i.e., workforce studies, wage gap issues)
- Interest in mentoring and guiding newer PA researchers
- Leadership experience in both PA education and among PA researchers
- Strong research track record, including a demonstrated history of publishing and reviewing research
Supplemental Statement: Please write a double spaced 1–2-page statement describing your research qualifications and experience as well as the perspective and skills that you will be bring to the position as PAEA Research seeks to expand the scope of PA research, grow the PA research community, and create an inclusive environment for all PA researchers. brief statement describing your research qualifications and experience as well as the perspective and skills that you will be bring to the position as PAEA Research seeks to expand the scope of PA research, grow the PA research community, and create an inclusive environment for all PA researchers.
3 member positions available
Position description: The GSRC is seeking three volunteers to review applications for PAEA’s research grants, which include the Don Pedersen Research Grant, the Faculty-Generated Research Grant, and the Support to Advance Research (STAR) Program.
Meeting Commitments: The successful candidate will be expected to rate the core criteria and provide detailed feedback to applicants on methodology, analysis, and research design. Furthermore, members may be asked to attend and actively participate in leadership meetings. Typical travel includes PAEA’s Education Forum and possibly other meetings as requested. In the current COVID-19 environment, some or all of these meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
Terms of Service: The GSRC member’s term will begin January 1, 2022, and end December 31, 2023. Members have the option of serving an additional term, for a maximum of two three-year terms.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Commitment to PAEA’s mission, vision, and values
- Vested interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Proficiency in qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, research design, survey design, statistical analysis, and topical issues (i.e., workforce studies, wage gap issues)
- Interest in mentoring and guiding newer PA researchers
- Extensive experience as a PA educator
- Strong research track record, including a demonstrated history of publishing and reviewing research
Supplemental Statement: Please write a double-spaced 1–2-page brief statement describing your research qualifications and experience as well as the perspective and skills that you will bring to the position as PAEA Research seeks to expand the scope of PA research, grow the PA research community, and create an inclusive environment for all PA researchers.
Journal of Physician Assistant Education
JPAE is a quarterly, peer-reviewed publication dedicated to advancing PA education by publishing scholarly manuscripts germane to PA educators and providing a forum for the sharing of ideas and innovations that will enhance the education of PA students.
JPAE Editorial Board
PAEA is seeking applications for two open positions on the Editorial Advisory Board for the Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE), PAEA’s scholarly, peer-reviewed, indexed journal. Successful applicants will have a strong publishing record and a history of achievement in scholarly work.
Responsibilities
Each member of the editorial board performs critical work and offers leadership to advance the journal’s core mission to publish ethically produced, scholarly manuscripts that enhance PA education and foster innovation. Editorial board members engage in content acquisition, peer review, fact-checking, writing, editing, and promoting journal content. The editorial board convenes regularly to support journal operations and meets, generally twice a year, to set strategy and collaborate with the journal’s publishing partners. Specific expectations of editorial board members include:
- Write and solicit manuscripts. This activity could include encouraging submissions from authors, accepting commissions to write editorials, reviews, and commentaries, and mentoring authors.
- Peer-review manuscript submissions regularly throughout the year, providing timely and comprehensive critical appraisals and substantive feedback to authors.
- Promote journal content and be a brand ambassador for JPAE at professional meetings (within and outside of the PA profession, in presentations, and/or on social media.
- Attend and actively participate in editorial board meetings and on committees.
- Advise the editors on journal strategy and engage in discussions that inform the future direction of the journal and ensure it meets the evolving needs of the PA education community.
- Declare and comply with journal management plans for any conflicts of interest, which will be publicly available.
- Collaborate with the editors as a guest editor for a journal supplement or for a special issue.
- Comply with standards and best practices for journal editors adopted by JPAE (i.e., ICMJE).
Qualifications
- Have an established publishing record, including publication in JPAE.
- Demonstrate a history of achievement in research and scholarly work.
- Be willing to work with the editor in chief and editorial staff to uphold the high standards and practices of the journal.
- Possess unique skills, perspectives, or contributions that you could bring to the journal.
- Demonstrate a capacity for editing with an attention to detail, quality, consistency, and readability.
Terms and Funding
Terms run for three years beginning January 1, 2022, with annual reappointment reviews by the editor in chief. There is also the possibility of one 3-year term reappointment. Board members are supported for one annual in-person meeting in Washington, D.C. They also are expected to attend, if possible, the editorial board meeting at the Education Forum each fall, although funding for this meeting is not provided.
To Apply
Interested individuals are asked to submit the following by October 29, 2021:
- Letter of interest explaining why you would like to serve on JPAE’s Editorial Advisory Board and what unique skills and perspective you could bring to the journal
- Biosketch or 2-page CV
- At least one paper that has been published within a peer-reviewed journal or other scholarly media
JPAE Feature Editor
4 Positions Available
The Journal of Physician Assistant Education (JPAE) is seeking feature editors for four feature categories, with terms to begin January 1, 2022:
- Academic Law
- Global Perspectives
- Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
- Best Practices in PA Education (NEW)
Feature Descriptions:
Academic Law – Articles related to legal issues that affect those working in academic environments.
Global Perspectives – Articles about global issues relevant to PA education. Topic areas might include international clinical student placements, development of PA-type programs in other countries, global or immigrant health care curriculum issues, and first-person reports of international PA educational activities.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Articles addressing issues relating to ethnicity and diversity and how PA programs address these issues in such areas as recruiting and retaining faculty and in educating PA students for practice in an increasingly diverse and culturally aware world.
Best Practices in PA Education – This new feature will highlight brief descriptions and reviews of specific practices, strategies, or techniques that relate to educational or assessment activities leading to a high-quality PA program. This includes reviews of unique or non-traditional methods to instruct or evaluate students, provide community outreach, or create a welcoming learning environment. Topics might include effective, unique, and creative recruitment, admission and retention strategies; application of technology; approaches to teaching or assessment; remediation; and other aspects of PA education that will enlighten peers and colleagues. An evidence-based approach to subjects is desirable.
Responsibilities: Feature editors are responsible for contributing two articles per year relevant to their feature subject, written by either the feature editor or another author. If the article is written by another author, then the feature editor is expected to work with that author to ensure that the article submitted is of interest to members, well-written, and basically ready for publishing with minimal additional editing required.
Qualifications:
- Have an established publishing record, including publication in JPAE.
- Demonstrate a history of achievement in scholarly work, particularly in the topic area of the feature.
- Be prepared to devote the necessary time to either writing or soliciting quality, relevant feature articles to be submitted — by the deadline —for publication in the journal.
- Be willing to work with the editor in chief and editorial staff to uphold the high standards and practices of the journal.
- Possess unique skills, qualities, or contributions that you could bring to the feature and to the journal in general.
Terms/Travel: The two-year term for each feature editor position will begin January 1, 2022, and end December 31, 2023. Feature editors are eligible for a one-term reappointment at the discretion of the journal’s editor in chief. Feature editors are not required to participate in any meetings, but they are encouraged to attend the PAEA Education Forum and the journal’s Editorial Advisory Board meeting held during the Forum. In the current COVID-19 environment, meetings may be held in a virtual format, obviating the need for travel.
To Apply: Interested individuals are asked to submit the following by October 29, 2021:
- Letter of interest explaining why you would be a good fit for this feature editor position
- Brief 2-page CV
- Writing sample demonstrating the ability to write clear, interesting, and descriptive text