Director of Clinical Education Department of PA Studies

Director Of Clinical Education For The Department Of Physician Assistant Studies

The Director of Clinical Education for the Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies plays a pivotal role in shaping the clinical training and educational experiences of PA students. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of clinical education programs to ensure alignment with accreditation standards and industry best practices. The director collaborates closely with clinical preceptors, faculty, and healthcare partners to facilitate high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for successful careers in healthcare.

Additionally, the role involves strategic planning to expand clinical placement sites and enhance student support services, ensuring a comprehensive and effective clinical education environment. Ultimately, the director ensures that the clinical education program produces competent, compassionate, and well-prepared PA graduates who meet the evolving needs of the healthcare community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies from an ARC-PA accredited program.
• Current certification as a Physician Assistant (PA-C) with active licensure or livense-eligible in the state of Georgia.
• Minimum of five years of clinical experience as a practicing PA.
• Experience in clinical education, including coordination or leadership roles within PA or health professions programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation standards for PA education (e.g., ARC-PA).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (e.g., EdD, PhD, DSc) in health professions education or a related field.
• Experience with curriculum development and assessment in health professions education.
• Strong background in interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
• Proven success in building and maintaining clinical partnerships and preceptor networks.
• Experience with educational technology and learning management systems.

Job

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develop, coordinate, and manage all aspects of the clinical education curriculum for the Department of PA Studies (DPAS) PA program.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with clinical sites and preceptors to secure diverse and high-quality clinical rotation opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies related to clinical education.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to clinical faculty, staff, and preceptors, including training and evaluation.
• Supervise the clinical staff and discuss issues with the Chair/PD and/or Assistant Program Director (APD).
• Monitor student progress during clinical rotations and address any academic or professional issues that arise; assess students' readiness for completion of the program and graduation.
• Collaborate with program leadership to integrate clinical education with didactic coursework to enable students to meet overall program goals and student learning outcomes.
• Develop clinical education budgets and manage resources and scheduling to optimize program efficiency.
• Participate in program assessment, data collection, and reporting to support ongoing self-assessment and continuous quality improvement.
• Serve as instructor for the clinical courses (rotations) and other didactic courses, as assigned.
• Assess student progress in courses, prepare and submit final grades, communicate with students' faculty advisors notifying APD and/or Chair/PD of any "at-risk" students.
• Evaluate student performance in clinical courses and clinical simulation formative and summative examinations.
• Assist with student tutorial/remediation sessions, as required.
• Serve as advisor to students, as assigned, bringing student issues impacting successful progress in the program to the Chair/PD, Assistant Program Director, and/or the Continuous Self-Assessment Committee and/or Committee on Student Progress, as appropriate.
• Participate in ARC-PA accreditation reviews and visits.
• Attend and appropriately contribute to university, ICHS, and departmental faculty meetings.
• Participate in the development, revision, and updating of the program's mission…