Academic Affairs - Cardiovascular​/Clinical Perfusion, Program Director

Summary

The Program Director serves as the founding academic and administrative leader responsible for the design, approval, accreditation preparation, and launch of the University’s Cardiovascular/Clinical Perfusion program. Reporting to senior academic leadership, the Director will provide strategic vision, academic leadership, and operational oversight from initial program development through the successful enrollment and support of the inaugural cohort.

This position requires a highly motivated leader capable of advancing multiple work streams simultaneously, including curriculum development, accreditation preparation, faculty and clinical partnership development, and student recruitment, in response to workforce demand and institutional priorities.

The Successful Candidate Will Be Expected To Lead The Design, Approval, Accreditation Preparation, And Launch Of The Program On An Accelerated But Achievable Timeline, Working Collaboratively Across Academic, Clinical, And Regulatory Stakeholders.

Within the First 3 Months

• Finalization of program structure, curriculum framework, and admissions standards
• Securing institutional approvals and initiating required state review processes
• Establishment of initial clinical partnerships and advisory structures

Within 6 Months

• Submission of accreditation application materials and self-study documentation
• Hiring of key faculty and clinical coordination personnel
• Completion of clinical affiliation agreements and simulation infrastructure planning
• Launch of student recruitment and admissions activities

Within 9 Months

• Admission and onboarding of the inaugural student cohort
• Completion of accreditation site visit preparation, if applicable
• Finalization of course schedules, clinical rotations, and student support systems

Within 12 Months

• Program launch with active enrollment of the inaugural cohort
• Ongoing engagement with accrediting bodies and implementation of continuous improvement processes
• Stabilization of academic and clinical operations in preparation for subsequent cohorts

Academic Leadership and Program Development

• Design and implement a comprehensive curriculum that integrates didactic instruction, simulation-based learning, and supervised clinical education consistent with contemporary perfusion education standards
• Establish program policies, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement processes
• When appropriate, lead adjunct faculty recruitment, onboarding, development, and evaluation

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the primary lead for all internal, state, and specialized accreditation processes
• In coordination with the Division of Institutional Effectiveness, prepare and submit materials for CAAHEP accreditation through the Accreditation Committee on Perfusion Education (AC-PE), including self-study documentation and site visit coordination
• Ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation standards, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements

Clinical Partnerships and Experiential Education

• Utilizing the University’s CORE system, develop and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with regional healthcare systems
• Oversee clinical education, including preceptor engagement, evaluation processes, and student readiness
• Ensure simulation and clinical resources support program outcomes and accreditation expectations

Student Success, Recruitment, and Engagement

• In coordination with the Division of Enrollment Management, design admissions processes, recruitment strategies, and applicant evaluation
• In coordination with the Division of Student Affairs, implement student orientation, campus support structures, professionalism standards, and certification-readiness initiatives
• Represent the program to prospective students, clinical partners, and professional organizations

Operations and Program Launch

• Offer insight to facilities planning, equipment acquisition, and operational logistics
• Ensure scheduling, documentation systems, and operational readiness are in place for program launch
• Lead program evaluation and refinement following inaugural cohort enrollment

• Teach in the program (as needed and aligned with expertise)…