Director and Chair Physician Assistant Program

Director and Chair Physician Assistant Program

Salus University, in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, is seeking a Director and Chair for their Physician Assistant Program. The program resides in the College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) that also includes programs in occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, blindness and low vision, post-baccalaureate, and biomedicine. The Director and Chair will provide strategic academic and operational leadership with responsibility for the Program’s planning, organization, fiscal management, curriculum, continuous assessment, and accreditation process. The position is a full-time, 12-month appointment reporting to the CHER Dean.

Salus University:

Salus University, founded as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1919, today is a diversified, globally recognized professional academic center of learning that offers a wide range of degree programs in the professions of Optometry, Audiology, Physician Assistant, Public Health, Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Biomedicine, Occupational Therapy and Speech-Language Pathology. Salus operates four clinical facilities in the Philadelphia area that provide highly specialized vision, hearing and balance, and speech-language pathology services. The University has more than 1,100 students, including PhD candidates, and more than 12,500 alumni worldwide. For more information, please visit www.salus.edu.

The Salus Credo: 

We believe our first responsibility is to our students. We strive to provide them with the highest quality education through on-going innovation in our learning strategies. We believe in the importance of integrating theory and practice in our educational programs.We have a responsibility to our alumni to continually engage them in the development of the University. We are committed to providing them with the highest quality post-graduate education, which enhances continued competence throughout their careers. We must support the professions they represent in order to maximize their potential and to advance the mission of the University.

We have a responsibility to our employees. We value their contributions to the University. We seek to create and maintain an environment where all are treated with dignity and respect.

We have a responsibility to the communities we serve. We believe in high quality and compassionate care for the patients and clients in our clinical facilities.

We have a responsibility to the broader community. We believe in transparent stewardship of University resources. We believe that all of our endeavors should have enduring impact beyond the confines of the University.

Qualifications: The Program Director must be a physician assistant and should possess the following:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited PA program; Doctoral degree or willingness to pursue a doctoral degree preferred;
• Current or emeritus NCCPA certification status and licensure;
• Minimum five years of clinical practice is required;
• Minimum of three years of full-time higher education experience at the time of appointment;
• Minimum of three years administrative experience to include program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budget planning;
• Team-building, leadership, problem-solving, organizational, oral, written and technology skills;
• Interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with students, faculty, staff, healthcare professionals and the public;
• Evidence of interest in research/scholarly activities preferred;
• Active participation/leadership in local, regional, or national PA or other medical organizations preferred;
• Knowledge of the assessment process and requirements of continuing accreditation status maintenance;
• Commitment to inter-professional education and collaborative patient care;
• Ability to network with external organizations and facilities;
• Ability and availability to travel;
• Evidence of interest in research or scholarly activities preferred.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the development and refinement of the mission statement and goals of the program;
• Conduct analysis of program outcomes in meeting the program’s mission and established goals;
• Provide effective leadership and management for the program;
• Formulate and revise policies and procedures related to the program; 
• In conjunction with the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Education, and Rehabilitation, Admissions Office, Academic Council, Medical Director and principal faculty, establish the criteria for student admissions, curricular content, and performance outcomes;
• In a concerted effort with the Admissions Committee and Office of Student Affairs, manage the recruitment, selection, and orientation of physician assistant students;
• Recruit, mentor, and retain qualified faculty and staff;
• Directly supervise the medical director, principal and instructional faculty, and staff;
• Guide and support faculty professional development and promotion;
• Prepare and responsibly manage the annual fiscal budget for the program;
• In collaboration with the faculty, Educational, Policy, and Curriculum Committee (EPCC), Dean, and Provost, manage the organization, design, coordination, implementation, ongoing evaluation and modification of the program’s curriculum;
• Teach in areas of expertise;
• Develop and revise program assessment tools;
• Monitor and evaluate student performance;
• Ensure that academic counseling is provided to students in a timely manner;
• Assure the availability of remedial instruction when indicated;
• Verify that each student has successfully met all requirements for graduation;
• Provide oversight of the program’s ongoing assessment process and maintain the continuing accreditation status;
• Delegate authority and responsibility consistent with faculty and staff strengths and interests within the context of department needs and available resources; 
• Support program efforts in the procurement and maintenance of clinical sites;
• Participate in committee meetings at the programmatic and University levels;
• Utilize release time to pursue clinical practice, professional development, service and scholarly activities;
• Attend conferences and designated programs pertinent to physician assistant education and clinical practice.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the Director and Chair’s position at Salus University should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive recruitment consultant:

Mr. Jamie Marcus, Senior Associate Vice President

Scott Healy & Associates

jamiemarcus@scotthealy.com

The full and complete application should contain the following information:

1) A cover letter highlighting your professional experience;

2) A complete CV outlining your career in higher education and within health-related areas; and

3) The names of five professional references including their relationship to you, their position, email, and direct phone numbers. References will be contacted only after written permission by the candidate.

Applications submitted by June 28, 2021, will receive priority consideration. This search will remain open until the position is filled.

Salus University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women/Minorities/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability or other legally protected status.