Part Time Principal Faculty, Physician Assistant

Principal Faculty Member – Physician Assistant Program (Part‑time)

Position Summary

The Principal Faculty member is a part‑time faculty instructor responsible for course instruction and/or course coordination within the didactic and clinical phases of the Physician Assistant Program. The role focuses on effective course design, delivery, and evaluation, supporting students to achieve the program’s learning outcomes and PA practice competencies. Under program leadership guidance, the faculty member contributes to curriculum development, program assessment, and continuous quality improvement in accordance with ARC‑PA Accreditation Standards.

The role includes active participation in program planning, academic support, and other activities that foster student and programmatic success. The faculty member holds a faculty appointment (rank commensurate with experience) within the Physician Assistant Program.

Primary teaching responsibilities include serving as the primary instructor and course coordinator for the Medical Anatomy and Physiology lecture and laboratory series, overseeing cadaver‑based dissection and on‑campus laboratories, and leading hands‑on anatomical instruction in a collaborative, clinically integrated learning environment.

Additional teaching duties involve supporting other didactic courses as assigned, contributing to a comprehensive, systems‑based curriculum aligned with the program’s learning outcomes and PA practice competencies.

The position requires working 20 hours per week with a teaching workload as assigned to meet the program’s needs annually, as defined in the Faculty Supplement.

Key Job Elements

• Provides teaching and instruction in the PA Program as assigned based on program needs:
  • Coordination of instruction of courses as assigned based on program needs.
  • Teaching in areas of clinical and/or professional expertise.
  • Serving as small group facilitator and student faculty advisor as needed.
• Assists the Director of Didactic Education in the administrative coordination of the didactic phase of the program.
• Assists the Director of Clinical Education in the administrative coordination of the clinical phase of the program.
• Contributes to curriculum development, including the design and implementation of courses within the program.
• Participates in ongoing curriculum evaluation and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Evaluates student performance during objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), lab practicals, clinical reasoning sessions, problem‑solving activities, and technical skills training and assessment during both didactic and clinical phases.
• Reviews and evaluates student performance on submitted assignments, projects, and presentations ensuring use of quality evidence‑based resources and citations.
• Develops course examinations and maps exam questions to ARC‑PA accreditation standards and the NCCPA Content Blueprint to ensure alignment with program learning outcomes.
• Provides input to assist with accreditation efforts, program self‑assessment, and periodic review of the program’s mission and goals.
• Participates in the program’s admissions process to include student recruitment, open houses, application review, candidate interviews, and student selection.
• Engages in service, community and campus outreach, and scholarly activities appropriate to the role of a part‑time Principal Faculty member.
• Participates annually in faculty development opportunities focused on teaching effectiveness and staying current in medical knowledge.
• Assists with clinical site development, monitoring, and relationship management as needed to support the clinical phase of the program.
• Provides remedial instruction to support student academic success and progression through the program.
• Assists with other responsibilities as determined by the Directors of Didactic and Clinical Education, Program Director, or campus leadership.
• Performs duties as assigned and outlined in the Faculty job description and in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Supplement to the South University Employee Handbook.

Job Requirements

• Terminal degree in healthcare disciplines such as physician‑assistant, pharmacy, medical doctor, or public health. Minimum of a Master’s degree required.
• Eligibility for professional licensure/certification in the applicable state and healthcare discipline (if applicable) or holds an active, valid, and unencumbered state license.
• 1–2 years of teaching experience in a graduate health‑related profession highly preferred.
• 2 years of clinical experience required, if applicable.
• Experience in PA/medical classroom teaching preferred.
• PAs must have graduated from an accredited PA program and have current or emeritus NCCPA certification.
• Emeritus clinicians are not required to hold active licensure.

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills with student and staff populations.
• Superior organization, prioritization, and self‑motivation skills.
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite, ExamSoft, and WebAdvantage.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student, and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures, and perspectives can thrive.