Overview
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies at Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania invites applications for Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies at the Mansfield campus location.
The home campus for this position is Mansfield with the expectation of serving a multi-campus University within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
About the Department The Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at Commonwealth University houses the nationally recognized Physician Assistant (PA) Program. Founded in 1996 as the Lock Haven University PA Program, and graduating its first class in 1998, this program is recognized as the first PA Program within Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Following five years of success at the Lock Haven campus, the PA Program was expanded to the Clearfield campus location in 2001 with classroom instruction delivered using state-of-the-art distance education technology. In 2010, the PA Program was again expanded to offer instruction at campus locations in Harrisburg and Coudersport. We are currently seeking approval for the prior Coudersport cohort to be seated at the Mansfield campus. Graduates of the program enjoy a 93% first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). The Department of PA Studies consists of on-site faculty at each campus location where the program is offered. On-site faculty serve as instructors for both classroom and lab-based instruction as well as advisors for both first-year (didactic phase) and second year (clinical phase) students. The curriculum for the PA Program utilizes a team-teaching approach to a modular-based design with didactic instruction following an organ-based and medical specialty-focused approach. Faculty in the department have clinical expertise in a variety of settings including family practice, pediatrics, women’s health, inpatient medicine, emergency medicine/urgent care, and surgery.
About the College The College of Health Professions (COHP) comprise of the Departments of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Health & Exercise Science, Physician Assistant and the Breiner School of Nursing which houses the Undergraduate and Graduate Nursing Departments. COHP offers several bachelors, masters, and two doctoral programs, the Doctor of Audiology and Doctor of Nursing Practice. COHP aims to prepare competent and caring health care professionals to serve communities and the health care industry.
Duties
- Deliver classroom instruction across multiple campus locations using distance education technology within a team-based modular format.
- Provide on-site instruction for small group, physical diagnosis, and clinical skills lab activities.
- Travel to other campus locations for on-site instruction as assigned.
- Supervise and complete site visits on second year PA students as needed.
- Develop learning outcomes for physician assistant students.
- Develop, implement, and administer competency assessments of physician assistant students.
- Acquire data on the efficacy of didactic and clinical instruction provided to PA students.
- In concert with other designated program personnel and appropriate departmental committees, analyze, draw conclusions, and implement educational strategies to foster an environment of continuous quality improvement.
- Develop, coordinate, and provide instructional support for didactic and clinical year PA students.
- Attend and participate in committee, program, and departmental meetings.
- Assist with day-to-day activities at the Mansfield campus location including assistance with classroom technology, lab preparation/clean-up, inventory of supplies, etc.
- Assist the Program Director and Department Chair in reviewing, planning, and analyzing compliance with ARC-PA standards of accreditation.
- Actively participate in the University community and professional service.
- Engage in academic and professional scholarship activities.
The successful candidate will need to complete distance education training programs as made available by the University within two years of hire for the purpose of teaching in a multi-campus environment with remote teaching needs.
Qualifying Experience and Education (Minimum/Preferred)
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree or higher as a physician assistant or in a health-related discipline.
- Must have a current NCCPA certification (or board eligibility in a related field) as well as eligibility to practice within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Must have a valid PA drivers license and reliable transportation.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 or more years of experience in clinical practice as a PA
- Experience with developing learning outcomes, defining competencies, and supervising PA student clinical experiences
Special Instructions to Applicants
A complete application includes a cover letter, curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, professional licenses/certifications, teaching philosophy, and a diversity statement. Applications must be received by May 1, 2024 for full consideration. Position will remain open until filled. Questions may be directed to Search & Screen Committee Chair, Jacqueline Borst, [email protected]
Supplemental Information
Finalist(s) for this position must communicate well and successfully complete an interview process and teaching demonstration as judged by the department faculty.
Recommendation for hiring is needed from a majority of the regular, full-time department faculty.
Title IX/Clery
The University prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, marital or family status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability in any decision regarding admissions, employment, or participation in a University program or activity in accordance with the letter and spirit of federal, state, and local non-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments Act, the Equal Pay Act, and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.
The University also complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Title IX prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination. VAWA imposes additional duties on universities and colleges to investigate and respond to reports of sexual assault, stalking, and dating or domestic violence, and to publish policies and procedures related to the way these reports are handled. The University has designated the Title IX Coordinator (Jennifer Raup, Elwell Hall, ORL, 570-389-4808, [email protected] or [email protected]), to coordinate the University’s compliance with Title IX and VAWA and to respond to reports of violations. The University has directed the Police Department to coordinate the University’s compliance with the VAWA-related Clery reporting requirements. Additionally, inquiries concerning Title IX and its implementing regulation can be made to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, Region III, The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East – Suite 505, Philadelphia, PA 19107; Phone: (215) 656-6010; Fax: (215) 656-6020.
About Commonwealth University of PA
The Power of Three Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities have joined forces to boldly transform higher education in our region and beyond. While we are uniting as Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, you can expect a college experience that is anything but common.
We’re Honoring our History by preserving the founding principles of each campus and continuing our vibrant on-campus student experience, serving as pillars of our communities, supporting students and our neighbors alike.
We’re Investing in Today by answering the greatest challenges facing higher education: accessibility, cost, quality, and relevance through the combined strength of our storied institutions.
We’re Building a Powerful Tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs in our region, across Pennsylvania and beyond.
Open Date mm-dd-yyyy
02/02/2024
Open Until Filled: Yes
At Commonwealth University we recognize our responsibility to continuously support a living, learning, and working environment that values the diverse contributions from all members of our campus community. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion enriches our campus community and is instrumental to our institutional success. Commonwealth University strives to cultivate a campus climate that allows all members to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as we achieve success both in and out of the classroom, in our work responsibilities, and in our professional lives beyond Commonwealth University. We uphold our commitment to DEI by:
· Actively supporting and promoting the intellectual and personal growth of our students, inside and outside of the classroom.
· Providing workshops, trainings, programs designed to broaden the knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion within our campus community.
· Ensuring that all learning and living environments throughout our campus are welcoming and capable of serving all individuals.