Physician Assistant Education, Clinical Principal Faculty

The Physician Assistant Department at Point Loma Nazarene University invites applications for a non-tenure track faculty position as Academic Principal Faculty beginning in the Summer of 2022. This faculty member serves full-time with rank appropriate to the applicant’s experience.

The primary responsibility of the Clinical Principal Faculty member is to support the evaluation and implementation of the clinical curriculum in concert with the Director of Clinical Education.  Specific tasks include the following:

• Propose policy revisions and update clinical year manual for students as appropriate
• Working with other clinical faculty, orient students to requirements of the clinical year
• Implement plans to recruit and retain adequate numbers of clinical rotation opportunities for students
• As a representative of the Program, visit and evaluate potential preceptor sites
• Conduct site visits of students and preceptors during the clinical year
• Maintain a database of visit findings; review periodically with other faculty
• Communicate Program mission and training goals to potential preceptors
• Collect and submit all required documentation for potential preceptor to Director of Clinical Education and the Department Chair
• Work with other clinical coordinators and staff to insure good preceptor relationships
• Work closely with Director of Clinical Education to develop opportunities for training of potential and existing clinical preceptors to insure quality educational experiences for our students
• Participate in orientation of students to individual clinical sites or rotation experiences
• Counsel PA students with regard to PA Program expectations and clinical year learning objectives

Clinical Year Evaluation

Assure the appropriate evaluation of PA students during the both core and elective phases of the clinical year.  Engage in ongoing evaluation of the clinical curriculum and clinical student activities to insure professional competency and high quality education outcomes:

• Participate in the formal evaluation of students’ clinical year performance
• In conjunction with the DCE design/develop appropriate testing methodologies to assess acquisition of program competencies
• Develop and revise as necessary evaluation instruments
• Review written subjective and objective evaluation data from each student’s preceptor for each assigned rotation during the clinical phase
• Monitor both individual and group performance during the clinical year
• Encourage the promotion of feedback to PA students from clinical preceptors
• Meet formally with student advisees during the clinical year to review progress and assess strengths and weaknesses prior to advancement to preceptor phase of training
• Direct students to keep appropriate tally of clinical patient experiences and procedures for each rotation.  Review these documents to ascertain student progress
• Based upon the aforementioned evaluation tools, assign grades for each rotation and maintain complete and up-to-date records of student performance.  Provide a written and oral presentation of student progress to members of the Progress and Promotions Committee each semester.  Submit grades to University Registrar when completed each semester
• Provide lectures and serve as a lab instructor to the first year students on topics in areas of expertise and interest. 

General Responsibilities

1. Participate in faculty meetings, Progress and Promotions Committee, Curriculum Committee and Admissions Committee.
2. Follow the academic progress and provide academic counseling and recommendations for assigned learning community students
3. Review and critique patient databases/work-ups submitted by advisees as part of their course work.
4. Submit rotation grade reports to the Registrar’s Office and post grades for all students.  Ensure PA faculty receive a progress report on their advisees.
5. Participate in faculty development and other related course work, seminars, workshops to remain current.
6. Support and participate in state, national organizations to promote the profession and strengthen network resources.
7. Maintain credential to practice (state, national) i.e., CME.
8. Counsel and advise approximately 7-9 students per class year regarding

1. academic performance and clinical performance
2. program related concerns
3. selection of clinical electives

Qualifications

• Graduate of an accredited physician assistant program
• Minimum of a master’s degree – doctorate preferred
• NCCPA certified
• Licensed (or eligible for licensure) as a physician assistant in California.
• Prior academic experience preferred but not required

Application Process

• Applications must be submitted through the PLNU job site.
• At a minimum, the application should include:
• A letter of interest
• A CV or resume
• Statement of Personal Faith
• Unofficial transcript for highest degree obtained
• Philosophy of Teaching in Christian Education

For more information contact Dr. Dana Sayre-Stanhope, Search Committee Chair, at dsayrest@pointloma.edu

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The Point Loma Nazarene University community is, and intends to be, a decidedly Christian community, as exhibited by our shared beliefs, corporate practices, and Christlike character.

Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide quality educational and employment opportunities, PLNU actively encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups in higher education.