SUMMARY:

The Assistant Program Director is a member of the faculty (rank commensurate with experience) is responsible in conjunction with the Program Director for the oversight of all aspects of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.  Responsibilities include: classroom instruction, clinical site maintenance, day-to-day program operations, assisting students toward successful program completion and staffing the classroom with instructors who support the mission of the University. The Assistant Program Director is responsible to assist the Program Director and the Campus Dean of Academic Affairs for the fiscal wellbeing of the program as it relates to education and helping to maintain/grow enrollment. 

The Assistant Program Director also participates in activities that promote the stature of the department and the campus.  The incumbent must assure that the South University philosophy is considered in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of this position, which includes quality services to clients; development, growth, involvement, and recognition of employees; sound economic principles; and maintenance of an environment which is conducive to innovation, positive thinking, and expansion. In the event of a Program Director vacancy the Assistant Program Director is responsible for assuming the role of interim Program Director.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:

• Perform instructional duties as assigned as outlined in the faculty job description and in accordance with the provisions of Faculty Supplement to the South University Employee Handbook.
• Select and develop Program Advisory Council (PAC) that meets at least once per year.
• Participates in faculty development opportunities each year as required in the areas of teaching and academic administration.
• Select, train, develop, manage, and lead regular and adjunct faculty according to the guidelines provided by the Campus Dean of Academic Affairs, the College Dean and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the University/Campus.
• Oversees with the Program Director accreditation activities and assures full compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body standards (CAEHEP) and regulations, as well as adhering to all policies and procedures.

• Effectively administer and grow the Anesthesiologist Assistant program including curriculum development, student registration/advisement, community relations and campus relations.
• Support University programs designed to achieve student completion rates as outlined in the five-year strategic plan.
• Collaborate with other academic (Assistant) Program Directors within the College of Health Professions and the AA Department Chair regarding scheduling, sharing faculty, resources, curriculum, department operations, and other activities.
• Provides effective management and leadership through responsiveness to issues related to personnel, strong communication skills, and proactive problem solving as a liaison with administration when indicated.

• Assures full compliance with federal, state and accrediting body standards and regulations, as well as adhering to all policies and procedures.
• Facilitates the submission of required programmatic compliance documentation, including reports of graduation rates, performance on state licensing or certification examinations and employment rates.
• Participates in the program’s admissions process to include student recruitment, applicant evaluation (through application review and candidate interview), and student selection meetings. 
• Engages in service, community and campus relations, Program Advisory Council (PAC), and scholarly activities appropriate to the role of the Assistant Program Director.
• Ensure that continuous and competent medical guidance for the clinically related program components is provided, so that:
  • Supervised clinical instruction meets current standards of acceptable practice
  • Anesthesiologist assistant students learn, develop, and practice the knowledge and skills essential to successful professional interactions with physicians in the medical workplace.

• Ensure that continuous and competent educational guidance is provided, so that the didactic demands placed by the clinical educational environment are adequately addressed by classroom curriculum design.
• Other responsibilities as determined by the Program Director.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be Anesthesiologist Assistant certified by the NCCAA or its successor.
• Have the requisite knowledge and skills to administer the classroom/academic aspects of the program
• Ability to read, understand, interpret and implement accreditation criteria and state agency regulations.
• Ability to resolve inquiries and complaints from employees, students, regulatory agencies, or members of the academic or business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to faculty, academic and campus leaders, corporate leaders, and public groups.
• Experience with computerized administrative systems. Proficient with the use of standard office applications on personal computers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The individual must be able to travel out of the local area with an occasional overnight stay to participate in a variety of conferences and meetings. 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds. The vision requirements include ability to adjust focus and close vision.

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.