Assistant Professor and Director of Academic Education

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Assistant Professor and Director of Academic Education

Employee Classification: Assistant Professor

Campus: University of North Texas Health at Fort Worth

Division: HSC-Provost & Exec VP

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Texas Coll of Osteopathic Med

Department: HSC-Physician Assistant Studies-300840

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and rank

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at

Department Summary

Founded in 1997 and located in the heart of Fort Worth's Cultural District for more than 25 years, the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at HSC is home to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. Our program has a long history of preparing skilled, compassionate physician assistants who make a meaningful impact in their communities. Through a commitment to academic excellence, Interprofessional Education, and hands-on experiential learning, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and clinical experience needed to succeed in one of the nation's top healthcare professions. Strong performance on the national certifying exam reflects our dedication to student success and preparing graduates to excel as healthcare providers.

Position Overview

The Department of Physician Assistant Studies is seeking a PA educator for an open rank faculty position with an administrative appointment as Director of Academic Education (DAE). The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience in teaching and scholarship, and proficiency with common software applications. Responsibilities include preparing and delivering instruction, assessing student performance, participating in program evaluation and student recruitment activities, mentoring students in their professional development, conducting research related to PA practice or education, pursuing grant opportunities, and engaging in other scholarly activities. Faculty are given release time to maintain clinical skills through clinical practice opportunities and enjoy a collaborative academic environment, competitive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.

In addition to a PA Faculty role, the Director of Academic Education (DAE) collaborates closely with the Program Director, Curriculum Committee, Student Performance Committee, Communication Committee, and Accreditation Committee to oversee and maintain curricular coherence. The DAE secures adequate classroom and laboratory space and scheduling, ensures curricular alignment with ARC-PA accreditation standards and the overall mission of the program, and facilitates cross department communication while acting as a liaison between departments on campus to coordinate education and testing for PA Students. The DAE works with course directors and the Director of Clinical Education to design, implement, coordinate, schedule, and evaluate educational activities taking place in the didactic and clinical phase of the curriculum. The DAE is directly responsible for the scheduling of the semester orientation meetings, didactic courses, course sequencing, and evaluating student performance. The DAE provides oversight and direction to course directors on course content, methods used to deliver course content, instructional faculty, student assessment, and evaluation of student assessments. Major changes are coordinated between the DAE, PAS-CC, and the PD. The DAE is responsible for ensuring that didactic courses are evaluated by course directors at the end of each semester and tracks the effectiveness of changes made to those courses. This position may be assigned additional duties and may be required to participate in special projects, consistent with the responsibilities and objectives of the position and the needs of the department, college, and university.

Minimum Qualifications

• A master’s degree in PA Studies or a related field is required.
• Three or more years of highly relevant, full-time professional experience to be considered for the Assistant Professor position.
• Five or more years of highly relevant, full-time professional experience to be considered for the Associate Professor position. Candidates who have served as an Associate Professor for at least five years or Professor to be considered for the Professor position.
• Applicants must currently hold or be eligible for PA licensure in the State of Texas.
• Current NCCPA certification is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate the PA profession’s competencies to other in an educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in higher education is preferred but not required.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

• Applicants must currently hold or be eligible for PA licensure in the State of Texas.
• Current NCCPA certification is required.

Job Duties

• Preparing instruction, delivering instruction, and assessing student performance.
• Participating in the programs self-evaluation processes.
• Participating in student recruitment, interviews and selection.
• Mentoring students in their professional development. 
• Conducting research related to PA practice or education.

Physical Requirements

• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.