At West Coast University, we share a passion for students and transforming healthcare education! As a faculty member for a certified Great Place to Work, you will join a collaborative, student-centric culture valuing academic integrity, mutual respect, student learning, service, responsiveness, innovation, diversity, and stewardship.  As a part of this team, you will guide students to do more than change their own lives – you will help change the lives of every patient they care for throughout their career. 

The Director of Academic Education for the Physician Assistant Program assists with the development of the program including the development of the program curriculum which includes content, syllabi, delivery and assessment of the didactic portion of the Physician Assistant Program. The Director of Academic Education will oversee and develop policies and procedures relevant to the academic environment. Assists with program compliance according to state specific as well as Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) Standards.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• The Director of Academic Education will perform essential duties of a principal faculty member, additionally providing leadership, exceptional academic instruction, assistance with curriculum oversight and academic policies alongside the Program Director to the faculty and students.
• Assists designing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating the didactic component of an approved curriculum to meet degree requirements. Assists with the review modification and evaluation of syllabi, textbooks, and learning outcomes across the program. Ensures consistency of practice, protocols, and processes with respect to University academic practices.
• Assists with the organization, monitoring, assessment, and implementation of a professional Physician Assistant (PA) Program (Master of Physician Assistant [MPA] degree) in accordance with the accreditation standards and requirements of the ARC-PA.
• May serve as the co-chair of the West Coast University MPA Program Curriculum and Assessment Committee.
• Performs ongoing curriculum review and analysis through curriculum mapping and programmatic assessment of the didactic phase of the program.
• Designs and implements action plans to address any areas in the curriculum that needs improvement or updating in response to changes in the entry level clinical knowledge requirements, changes in state licensure requirements or ARC-PA requirements.
• Coordination of instructional content to students in coordination with MPA Program staff, faculty, and adjunct faculty.
• Serves as a liaison to adjunct faculty members teaching and performing duties in the MPA Program.
• Oversees maintenance of course files consistent with ARC-PA Standards.
• Must be knowledgeable of:
  • Database performance reports and manages, analyzes, interprets and reports performance databases and the processes of data collection and analysis for the didactic portion of the West Coast University MPA Program,
  • Reviews and interprets exam statistics throughout the didactic year courses.
  • Oversees didactic remediation processes for students.
  • Collects and reviews semester exam schedules.

Preferred Education, Certifications and Licensures

• Doctoral degree that is awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body is preferred.

Required Education, Certifications, and Licensures

• Physician Assistant graduate from an ARC-PA accredited Physician Assistant program.
• Master's degree in PA studies or other discipline.
• Candidate should hold current NCCPA Certification and be licensed to practice in the applicable state.

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum of three years (five years preferred) in the field of physician assistant, including documented clinical practice as a physician assistant.
• At least three (3) years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post-secondary level.
• Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulations relating to programs, governmental compliance and other regulatory standards such as Title IV, WASC, ARC-PA, APTA, CAPTE and other accreditation standards.

Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people’s lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.

At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates’ professional growth.

West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.