The posting
Job Description
Full-time, 12-month, multi-year renewable notice (non-tenure) position to begin on or about October 1, 2026, the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) provides administrative, educational, and clinical leadership for the clinical phase of the Physician Assistant Studies program. The DCE oversees development, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of clinical education; supports clinical site and preceptor development; monitors learner performance and progression; and collaborates with faculty and staff to promote student success and compliance with applicable accreditation standards. The DCE also contributes to the didactic and clinical curriculum through teaching, assessment, advising, and clinical learning activities.
Primary Responsibilities
- Provide administrative leadership, coordination, and guidance to faculty and staff involved in the clinical phase of the Physician Assistant Studies program.
- Provide clinical education oversight, including clinical curriculum, site development, learner performance monitoring, and accreditation compliance.
- Create, update, and evaluate syllabi, instructional objectives, and learning activities for clinical rotations and ensure alignment with program competencies, current clinical practice, and applicable ARC-PA standards.
- Manage clinical-phase learner assignments, assessments, progression, and remediation in collaboration with faculty, the clinical year team (CYT), and program leadership.
- Establish, maintain, and evaluate review clinical sites and preceptors in collaboration with clinical and didactic education team members.
- Develop and implement clinical rotation scheduling in collaboration with the Clinical Coordinator and clinical/didactic team.
- Collaborate with the Clinical Coordinator regarding clinical placement, affiliation agreements, clinical documentation, scheduling, learner records, and clinical education operations.
- Ensure clinical faculty and preceptors are oriented to learner assessment, program expectations, and evaluation of student achievement of clinical competencies.
- Schedule, organize, and conduct clinical site visits to evaluate clinical learning environments, learner experiences, preceptor support, and access to appropriate supervision.
- Schedule, organize, plan, and implement clinical orientation activities, learner evaluations, End-of-Rotation activities, and other clinical-year educational programming.
- Lead, organize, and facilitate clinical callback sessions to support integration of didactic and clinical learning, strengthen clinical reasoning and decision-making, address identified learner needs, and promote preparation for clinical practice and the PANCE.
- Lead and facilitate Clinical Year Team meetings, establish priorities, coordinate discussion of student performance and clinical operations, document action items, and monitor follow-through.
- Provide effective advising and mentoring to learners regarding clinical rotations, clinical performance, professional development, and preparation for clinical practice.
- Teach within the didactic and clinical curricula, including clinical cases, clinical reasoning, patient care, skills, and other content consistent with professional expertise and program needs.
- Collaborate with faculty, staff, the Medical Director, and other program stakeholders to integrate didactic and clinical education and address learner needs.
- Monitor clinical learner performance, including clinical evaluations, EOR examination performance, clinical competencies, remediation, and progression.
- Conduct and/or coordinate data collection and analysis related to the clinical phase and use findings to support continuous quality improvement.
- Facilitate clinical contract completion and coordinate with appropriate College personnel, contract specialists, and legal counsel as needed.
- Ensure that accurate clinical education records, including schedules, evaluations, learner documentation, immunizations, certifications, site information, and preceptor qualifications are maintained
- Maintain and update clinical site and rotation information to ensure accuracy in designated clinical education management and accreditation portal.
- Work with Clinical Coordinator to monitor that required documentation demonstrating preceptor qualifications and other clinical education requirements is accurate and up to date.
- Collaborate with appropriate College personnel and Clinical Coordinator regarding preceptor compensation and related documentation.
- Participate in learner academic and professional progression processes, including the Academic Progress, Promotion, and Remediation Committee (APPRC), as assigned.
- Serve as a member of the Admissions Committee and participate in applicant review and interviews.
- Serve as a member of the Curriculum Review Committee and contribute to curriculum review, mapping, assessment, and continuous improvement.
- Serve as a member of the Executive Committee and contribute to program planning, strategic priorities, operational decisions, and continuous quality improvement.
- Participate in faculty meetings, program assessment, accreditation activities, and other committees or initiatives as assigned by the Program Director.
- Collaborate with program faculty and staff to strengthen clinical education processes, policies, procedures, and performance.
- Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position and needs of the Physician Assistant Program.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Physician Assistant Studies, Health Professions Education, Medical Education, Health Sciences Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership/Administration or another closely related health professions or education discipline.
- If a PA, current NCCPA certification and licensure in the State of New York within six months of start date. If not a PA, current professional license/certification in the State of New York within six months of start date appropriate to the professional discipline, when applicable.
- Three years of professional preparation and experience appropriate to assigned clinical and instructional responsibilities.
- Demonstrated clinical expertise sufficient to provide clinical education and instruction.
- Demonstrated ability to provide clinical instruction, supervision, assessment, and learner feedback.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree
- Previous clinical precepting or teaching experience in an accredited Physician Assistant program, medical school, or other health professions program.
- Prior experience in clinical education leadership or administration.
- Experience developing, evaluating, or coordinating clinical education programs.
- Experience with clinical site and preceptor recruitment, development, evaluation, and compliance.
- Experience with student remediation, academic advising, and learner assessment.
- Experience with accreditation, continuous quality improvement, curriculum development, and assessment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
- Effective leadership and collaborative skills.
- Competent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, due dates, and clinical education operations.
- Commitment to learner-centered education and student success.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and a culture of care.
- Passion for Physician Assistant education and development of future healthcare professionals.
- Ability to work collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, clinical partners, preceptors, and healthcare professionals.
PA Program Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion Statement
The Ithaca College PA Program uses an equity framework to guide our work that seeks to be representative of all people including those impacted by systematic disadvantages and marginalization. Program activities and topics will enhance the capacity of our faculty, staff, and learners to communicate across differences in productive ways. The activities and topics in our program can be applied in the workplace, classroom and clinic, interpersonal relationships, and community engagement. The Ithaca College PA Program will provide a brave place for healthy discussions while respecting and caring for each other.
Salary Range
$116,000-$123,000, commensurate with experience. Associate Professor level considered, depending on experience.
Application Instructions
Interested applicants must apply online and submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or [email protected].
Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages applications from individuals whose experiences contribute to the diversity and excellence of the College.
Visa sponsorship may be provided for this position.
We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:
• Healthcare including vision and dental
• Generous Paid Time Off Policies
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution
• EAP
• Flexible Work Plans
• Educational Benefits
• Career-Enhancing Trainings
• For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness.
In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon review of the criminal background check.
About Us
At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.
We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.
We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.
When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.
Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.
In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of College resources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements of the law and prudent practices, conduct criminal background investigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of the criminal background check.
To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu
