[Hiring] Director of Medical Science @Franklin Pierce University

Role Description

The Program Director provides academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for the College of Health and Natural Sciences’ online Doctor of Medical Science (doctoral-level Physician Associate program). The Program Director is responsible for ensuring the program maintains high standards of academic quality, clinical education, faculty performance, learner achievement, and continuous program improvement.

The successful candidate will be a practicing or experienced Physician Associate with a doctoral degree in Physician Associate Studies, Medical Science, Education, or a closely related field. The Program Director should have substantial experience in physician associate/assistant education, particularly within an entry-level or doctoral-level PA program, and a strong understanding of the academic, clinical, accreditation, and professional expectations associated with PA education.

The Program Director will lead and support full-time and adjunct faculty, collaborate with college and university leadership, oversee ongoing program assessment, and use learner and program outcomes data to promote continuous improvement and program success.

Qualifications

• Current NCCPA board certification as a Physician Associate/Physician Assistant.
• Doctoral degree in Physician Associate Studies, Medical Science, Education, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of clinical experience as a Physician Associate/Physician Assistant.
• Demonstrated experience working within entry-level Physician Associate/Physician Assistant education, preferably in an academic PA program.
• Demonstrated understanding of the curriculum, educational standards, clinical education requirements, and learner outcomes associated with entry-level PA education.
• Experience providing leadership, coordination, mentorship, or supervision of faculty and/or academic programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, learners, clinical partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively lead and support faculty in an online academic environment.

Requirements

• Previous experience as a Program Director or Associate/Assistant Program Director of a master's-level or doctoral-level Physician Associate/Physician Assistant program.
• Experience with the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of PA program curricula.
• Experience with PA program accreditation, accreditation reporting, or preparation for accreditation review.
• Demonstrated research experience and scholarly productivity, including peer-reviewed publications, presentations, funded research, or other scholarly contributions.
• Experience supervising and evaluating full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Experience with online, hybrid, or technology-enhanced graduate or doctoral education.
• Experience with program assessment, outcomes assessment, and data-driven continuous improvement.
• Active engagement in national, state, or regional professional organizations related to Physician Associate/Physician Assistant education or practice.
• Experience mentoring faculty and/or students in scholarly activity and research.

Benefits

• Competitive wages and benefits packages, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA.
• Life insurance, short- and long-term disability.
• Educational benefits (for employee and qualifying dependents).
• Pet insurance, accident insurance, critical illness coverage.
• Travel discounts.
• 160 hours of paid time off (PTO), with additional paid sick time for your well-being.
• Paid holidays.

Leadership Competencies

• Academic leadership: Ability to establish a strong academic vision and advance program quality.
• Faculty leadership: Ability to develop, support, and effectively lead diverse full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Strategic thinking: Ability to align program priorities with institutional mission and evolving healthcare workforce needs.
• Assessment expertise: Ability to interpret learner and program outcomes and translate findings into meaningful improvements.
• Collaboration: Ability to build productive relationships across academic, clinical, and administrative environments.
• Innovation: Willingness to explore effective approaches to online doctoral education and PA professional education.
• Professionalism: Commitment to ethical practice, academic integrity, inclusive excellence, and the advancement of the Physician Associate profession.

Application Deadline

Confidential screening of applications will continue until the position is filled. This is a remote position.

Candidates should submit a cover letter, résumé, and contact information for three references (references will not be checked until the finalist stage of the search). FPU is committed to enhancing the diversity of its community in many realms and is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO).

Find out more at www.franklinpierce.edu .