Director of Didactic Education, School of Physician Associate Practice in Fort Smith, Arkansas at Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

About Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private, non-profit, graduate-level health sciences institution located on over 500 acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas. ACHE’s service-driven mission is to educate and train a diverse group of competent and compassionate healthcare professionals; to create health and research support facilities; and to provide healthy living environments to improve the lives of others. Founded in 2014, ACHE has experienced rapid growth and is poised to be a leader in healthcare education for years to come. ACHE is the first and only private institution in Arkansas that is dedicated solely to healthcare and wellness, and maintains a strong commitment to the surrounding community.

About Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley

Fort Smith is a vibrant community of around 90,000, with a low cost of living and ample recreational opportunities. Located in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley at the foothills of the Ozark mountains, Fort Smith is nestled between the Ozark-St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests. The region provides hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hang gliding, whitewater rafting, and camping all within a short drive. In addition, the city supports a variety of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, an award-winning symphony, and two historic entertainment districts.

LOCATION

This position is fully on-site and requires a regular presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Didactic Education (DDE) must be a motivated individual. In coordination with the Program Director or designee, the DDE participates in the effective planning, coordination, delivery, and ongoing evaluation of academic courses, learning outcomes, goals, and competencies. The DDE will be committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and continuous improvement of the program. The DDE will collaborate with the faculty, staff, and students as directed by the Program Director or Designee.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Didactic Education

• In collaboration with the Clinical Director, responsible for the oversight of the design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the didactic curriculum
• Assists in the preparation of administrative reports as requested and assigned by Program Director
• Is responsible for the coordination and scheduling of all didactic courses and classes
• Maintains and coordinates the didactic schedule with staff support
• Reviews all course syllabi with didactic instructors and faculty
• Reviews, maintains, and coordinates didactic content of PA Student Handbook annually
• Responsible for the development, administration, and reporting of all didactic examinations with participating faculty
• Provides for continuous review and update of all didactic course materials and learning objectives
• Is responsible for the development, administration and reporting of all didactic assessments
• Develops, revises, updates and maintains instruments for student and faculty evaluations of didactic courses
• Provides continuous program evaluation, analysis, and improvement of didactic coursework
• Provides for ongoing faculty development and peer review of all didactic course instructors
• Schedules and assists with student remediation as needed
• Provides security for all course and examination materials
• Coordinates, assists, and assesses the function of didactic adjunct faculty and instructors
• Assists in the preparation and review of administrative reports and accreditation documents as requested and assigned

Principal Faculty

• Responsible for developing, reviewing, and revising as necessary the program’s mission statement, goals, and competencies
• Responsible for interviewing and selecting applicants for admission to the PA program
• Provide student instruction in area(s) of expertise
• Responsible for evaluating student performance
• Responsible for programmatic academic counseling of students
• Responsible for assuring the availability of remedial instruction for students
• Participates in designing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating courses
• Participates in the continuous evaluation of the program
• Instruction in Medical Practice Series as assigned
• Problem-Based Learning/Team-Based Learning facilitator as assigned
• Simulation instruction and curriculum design
• Participate in Clinical Procedures course
• Attends all required program and institution mandated meetings
• Is accessible to PA faculty and staff
• Works effectively with ACHE faculty, other ACHE administrators and academic support offices to ensure consistent and sound implementation of academic policies and procedures
• Contributes to the improvement of ACHE’s image and reputation within the educational community and beyond
• Performs service activities that advance the program and the profession, including assisting in the recruitment, selection of applicants for admission, orientation, and retention of students
• Other duties as assigned by Dean, School of Physician Associate Practice or their designee

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Arkansas PA License or eligible
• Graduate of an accredited PA program
• Current NCCPA certification status
• Master’s Degree
• Three years of experience in clinical practice and/or higher education

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in Health-Related Field
• Greater than five years of clinical experience
• Greater than two years of full-time higher education experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills, i.e. Microsoft Office.
• Display professionalism for the college in all communication and interaction.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to prioritize and organize numerous and varied assignments.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the college.

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Vice President and Chief People Officer, at 479.308.2290 or hr@achehealth.edu.

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer.