Associate Professor

The Clinical Team PA faculty member plays a vital role in all aspects of the clinical phase and in supporting the PA program. Key responsibilities include ensuring equitable, high-quality clinical education; coordinating student placements; maintaining clear, prompt communication with students and preceptors; conducting site visits; evaluating both preceptors and clinical-year students; and advising and monitoring student progress. Additionally, this role involves teaching, participating in patient assessment and clinical skills workshops, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards, assisting with accreditation and program evaluation, and contributing to the program’s overall growth and success. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player who fosters a positive work environment through strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to supporting the clinical team’s and program’s objectives.

• 12-month Faculty Appointment
• Tenure Contract Eligible

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate clearly and regularly with the Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Director of Clinical Development, Clinical Coordinator, and clinical year

faculty/preceptors, staff, and students.

• Collaborate with clinical team members to ensure compliance with accreditation standards across the clinical phase.

• Assist with coordinating, implementing, monitoring, developing, and enhancing the clinical curriculum.

• Assist with the evaluation of students, preceptors, and sites.

• Assist with the recruitment of clinical sites and preceptors.

• Problem-solve collaboratively and/or independently with clinical sites and students regarding scheduled placement changes, time-off requests, and other

concerns/questions.

• Assist with overseeing and maintaining online portals/files to ensure accurate, timely, and well-organized clinical year records.

• Ensure the availability of prompt feedback and remedial learning activities.

• Track and monitor student progress through various means, including student evaluations, patient logs, competency logs, exam scores, etc.

• Participate in student progress committee meetings as needed.

• Share responsibility for covering the PA Clinical Team phone.

• Participate in training and evaluating students in physical exam workshops, laboratory, and clinical skills sessions.

• Teach in the didactic phase and/or assist with Masters Capstone activities as the Program Director assigns.

• Serve as an Academic Advisor across the didactic and clinical phases.

• Attend program meetings, including but not limited to clinical team, departmental, etc.

• Serve on university and program committees or task forces as requested, including but not limited to Admissions, Student Progress, and Self-Assessment Committees.

• Participate as a clinician at community health fairs, interprofessional clinics, and other outreach projects, supervising PA students as requested.

• Foster academic collaboration with other MBKU programs or departments.

• Attend faculty development workshops or conferences at least once a year.

• Participate in scholarly and professional activities in alignment with the SPAS T&P guidelines and the University Faculty Handbook.

• Collaborate with the Program Director and other faculty to review/revise the mission statement, goals, and student competencies as needed.

• Participate in activities related to ongoing program assessment and data analysis.

• Attend special student or program events, including White Coat Ceremony, graduation, program retreats, student interviews, Masters Capstone Presentations, etc.

• Other program duties assigned by the Program Director.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements below specify the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Demonstrate excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrate effective instructional and presentation skills.

• Engage in open, collaborative, and collegial interactions with others.

• Motivate students and others to achieve the goals and objectives of the program.

• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

• Work independently and within a team.

• Demonstrate organizational skills with the ability to prioritize work and maintain efficiency.

• Perform work with care and attention to detail.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).

• Possess a willingness to learn and utilize new technology and software.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

• NCCPA-Certified Physician Assistant with a current California State license.

• Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience as a physician assistant and/or other health professional degree preferred.

• Previous teaching or administrative experience preferred.

SEE YOURSELF HERE

Located on a beautiful, seven-acre campus in Fullerton, California, MBKU is an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution. MBKU is home to the Southern California College of Optometry, the School of PA Studies, College of Pharmacy and the Doctor of Medical Science Program (DMSc) . MBKU owns and operates three health care centers at their clinical teaching facility, Ketchum Health, providing a vision center and PA medical clinic practice in Orange County and second vision center in Los Angeles.

A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE SINCE 1904

In 1904, Marshall B. Ketchum, MD, opened the Los Angeles School of Ophthalmology and Optometry in Los Angeles. Dr. Ketchum was a visionary entrepreneur and prominent leader in the optometric profession. He made very significant and long-standing contributions in his field of care, in California and throughout the nation.

In the early ‘70s the College moved to its current home in Fullerton, CA and was renamed Southern California College of Optometry. But even the pioneering Dr. Ketchum could not have envisioned his school would grow to become Marshall B. Ketchum University, an independent, private, non-profit, accredited educational institution encompassing multiple disciplines.

BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION

Marshall B. Ketchum University offers career opportunities that will put you at the forefront of health care education. You will be provided with learning and advancement opportunities, as well as a culture that recognizes the importance of fun, employee appreciation and a work-life balance.

Our mission is to educate caring, inspired health care professionals who are prepared to deliver collaborative, patient-centric health care in an interprofessional environment. By joining our family, you can help us reimagine the future and inspire future health care leaders.

INTERPROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE LEADERS

At Marshall B. Ketchum University, we have led the way in interprofessional healthcare, building on a century of experience as an optometry school. In 2012, the first Physician Assistant program in Orange County was added, followed by the College of Pharmacy program in 2014. Most recently in 2024, we expanded our offerings with the addition of the fully-online Doctor of Medical Science(DMSc) program. Side-by-side in group discussions, community service, and clinical experience, our OD, PA, PharmD and DMSc students learn what it means to deliver patient-centered health care as a collaborative team of professionals.

BENEFITS

MBKU provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance, free vision exams, short and long term disability, generous paid time off plans, a university-sponsored retirement plan. See our website under Employment for more details regarding benefits of working for MBKU ( ).

MBKU is an equal opportunity employer; requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

MBKU is committed to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, it is University policy to prevent the unlawful discrimination against students, applicants for admission, employees, applicants for employment and patients requesting treatment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. The University also prohibits sexual harassment and harassment on any of the above bases (please refer to the Title IX page for more information).