Accommodations Administrator - The Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

Accommodations Administrator

The Dean's Office is the central administrative unit that provides leadership to Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. Cummings School provides DVM, master's, and PhD degrees. We have internationally recognized research programs in animal and human health, comparative biomedical research, clinical research, infectious disease, and global health. The school has approximately 115 faculty members, 400 employees, and 450 students. Cummings School and Tufts University are committed to diversity and inclusion.

Cummings School of Veterinary is seeking an individual to help with administration and ongoing maintenance of our internal accommodations management system, maintenance and periodic review of our technical skills standards for DVM degrees to support our educational program and accreditation standards, delivery of accommodation assessments and services for students and trainees with disabilities. The Accommodations Administrator will play a key role as a primary resource to educate, train, and guide the school in understanding and providing disability access, rights, and responsibilities for students and others, especially in a clinical environment.

Responsibilities include a direct service responsibility to determine eligibility for and the development of individualized accommodation plans. The Accommodations Administrator will collaborate with staff and faculty around accommodation plans, and consultation with faculty and staff colleagues around best practices, reasonable accommodations and support of students needing accommodations. The key responsibilities of the Accommodations Administrator are to: administer and continuously improve the accommodations program and process for the Cummings School, lead the periodic review and revision of technical standards for DVM candidates, collaborate with faculty in developing a return to duty policy, receive requests for accommodations from students and to work with the student. Determine, in conjunction with appropriate academic input, if accommodations are required and reasonable, identify and develop appropriate relevant, reasonable, and appropriate accommodations that comply with accreditation standards for students especially in clinical environments, and to communicate these decisions to the student and those who need to know in order to implement the accommodations in a way that supports the student's privacy and accommodation, particularly but not exclusively in the laboratory and clinical environments.

• Performs intake interviews to gain a foundational understanding of individual needs and evaluates information from medical and/or psychological professionals to determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Primarily responsible for the interactive process, including consulting with the student, school personnel, health care professionals, and with faculty and other relevant staff on a need-to-know and confidential basis to develop reasonable accommodations, where possible, and communicate the information to those requiring the information. Receives and works to address and resolve concerns pertaining to the disability accommodation process or provision of approved accommodations, including referring matters to the OEO, as appropriate.
• Create and manage a HIPPA protected environment to maintain confidential student medical, religious, and health-related documentation in accordance with applicable laws and university policies.
• Develop and provide programs, resources, and services to ensure the accessibility of the school academic environment for students. Educate the campus community regarding support for individuals and facilitate compliance with the ADA/ADAAA and related regulations and University policies including the Tufts Accommodations Policies on Religion and Disability and other accommodation policies
• Educate the campus community regarding support for students with disabilities and facilitate compliance with the ADA/ADAAA and related regulations and University policies
• Periodically review the technical standards and collaborate with faculty in developing return to duty policies for the DVM program and ensure that these are kept current and in compliance with accreditation standards.

Basic Requirements: Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent relevant education and experience (no other special licenses required)
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Must be highly organized, efficient, detail-oriented, and able to adhere to timelines.
• Must have excellent computer skills, including word processing (Microsoft Office), spreadsheet management, and basic office machinery skills.
• Committed to supporting and developing a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Must have discretion and an awareness of HIPAA and other privacy guidelines
• Integrity, supported by a proven record of delivering results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A DVM (or equivalent) degree. Other clinical training will be considered (e.g. PA, CVT, OD, RN)
• Previous experience with implementing accommodations is considered an asset
• Previous experience in an academic environment, or a similar group environment
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA).
• Knowledge, understanding, and experience in veterinary, clinical, and/or laboratory environment.
• Appreciation of the importance of animals, veterinary medicine, animal and human health, and research.
• A strong understanding of accommodations
• Able to work with diverse populations.

Pay Range: Minimum $74,000.00, Midpoint $92,500.00, Maximum $111,000.00 Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.