Dean of the School of Physician Assistant Studies

 Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) invites applications for the position of founding Dean of the School of Physician Assistant Studies. This position will serve as the chief architect and leader of an emerging area of studies at a vibrant institution filled with mission-focused faculty, staff, and students.

 ACHE is poised to be a national and international leader in healthcare education and the Dean of PA Studies will be a vital campus leader in that thriving future. At this institutional moment, the Dean must be an exceptional communicator and inspirational leader with a demonstrated and deep understanding of PA studies curriculum as well as the academic environment of a highly innovative and energized institution. The charge of the Dean will be to create and sustain an innovative PA Studies program and to partner with and leverage the deep resources of this innovative community including regional partnerships, research excellence, housing and retail development, and health and wellness initiatives.

 Founded in 2014, ACHE is a private, non-profit, graduate-level health sciences institution located on over 500 acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas. ACHE is the first and only private institution in Arkansas that is dedicated solely to healthcare and wellness and maintains a strong commitment to the surrounding community. ACHE's service-driven mission is to educate and train a diverse group of competent and compassionate healthcare professionals that especially impact underserved communities and to provide healthy living environments to improve the lives of others. With the forthcoming completion of the Research Institute Health and Wellness Center, ACHE will be a recognized leader in health research initiatives.

 JOB SUMMARY

The Dean of the School of Physician Assistant Studies will design, develop, and launch ACHE’s Physician Assistant Program. This position will be instrumental in the recruitment, retention, and development of faculty and staff and will ensure that resources, facilities, faculty, staff, and affiliations are present and energized to deliver on the mission of ACHE and the PA Program. He/she will be responsible for addressing all phases of the accreditation process with Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) and assuring successful outcomes. Through his/her leadership and management skills, the Dean will position ACHE’s PA Program to be recognized among the nation’s best.

 To achieve these vital outcomes, the Dean will prioritize the following:

• Development of a vibrant and innovative curriculum that adheres to all aspects of the ARC-PA accreditation standards
• Hiring and mentorship of faculty and staff
• Effective and influential communication
• Academic policy and procedure acumen
• Financial acumen to develop and manage program budgets
• A celebration of “ACHE” culture and servant leadership

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for all aspects of leadership, management, and organization of the program.
• Plan and develop a program which adheres to and meets all aspects of the ARC-PA accreditation standards.
• Develop strong partnerships with clinical training sites and health providers to educate and train PAs to serve the community, state, and service area as defined in ACHE’s mission.
• Continuous programmatic review and analysis.
• Fiscal management of the program, including the establishment of the program’s budget.
• Responsible for the recruitment, development, and retention of faculty and staff.
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of the medical director, principal and instructional faculty, and staff.
• Leads the efforts to identify, recruit, matriculate, and develop students.
• Collaborates with campus leaders to maximize the use of facilities and resources for the benefit of ACHE students.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an ARC-PA accredited PA Program
• Current NCCPA Certification status in good standing
• Active PA license with eligibility for licensure in Arkansas
• Three years of full-time higher education experience
• Experience as a practicing PA
• Progressive experience in an academic-based role including experience:
  • With patient simulation including standardized patients, simulators, and training models
  • With program outcomes including review, assessment and analysis
  • Supervising faculty and staff in an academic environment
  • Preparing for and/or participation in ARC-PA site visits
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and verbal/written communication skills

 Preferred Qualifications

• Earned doctorate
• Previous experience as an Assistant/Associate Program Director
• Knowledge with the Accreditation Standards for PA Education
• Five years of clinical experience as a practicing PA
• Demonstrated record of scholarly research
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Advising undergraduate students into professional programs
  • Managing program budgets
  • Developing and implementing curriculum in a PA or related program
  • Strategic planning and implementation

 Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Proficiency in computer skills, i.e., Microsoft Office.
• Professionalism for the college in all communications and interactions
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to prioritize and organize numerous and varied assignments.
• Productive, versatile, self-directed.

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary. The following are essential abilities and physical requirements for all positions at the college.

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staffs at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off-campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

 If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Human Resources Manager, at 479.308.2287.

 Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer.