AA - Director of Program/Chief Academic Officer

The Director of Program of the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (MHSA) Program will serve as the administrative leader responsible for establishing and overseeing all aspects of the program. This role requires visionary leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence to ensure the program meets accreditation standards and delivers high-quality education.

• This position is Exempt.
• This position reports to the Dean and Executive Vice President/Chief Academic Officer of the School of Health Professions.

• Assist in facilitating the programmatic accreditation process and ensuring compliance with accreditation standards in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.  
• Provide effective leadership and strategic management of the MHSA program, with careful attention to operations, faculty and staff oversight, and fiscal management to ensure a solid operational foundation.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the MHSA program per accreditation standards, institutional policies, and best practices.
• Recruit, supervise, evaluate, and manage department faculty and support staff that are in direct support of the MHSA program.
• Oversee all aspects of the program, including but not limited to curriculum development, admissions, and recruitment processes, program outcomes, student learning outcomes, clinical site placement coordination, and community relations, in compliance with accreditation standards and college policies.
• Organize, administer, and continuously review, plan, and develop processes that ensure the effectiveness of didactic education within the program.  Ensure didactic demands align with clinical education requirements. 
• Ensure that continuous and competent medical guidance is provided for all clinically related components of the program to support high-quality, supervised clinical instruction that meets the current standards for practice. Foster student development in the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required for professional interaction with physicians and healthcare teams in clinical environments.  
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• The Director will have a faculty appointment and will be responsible for activities required of all faculty, including exemplary teaching, curriculum development, student recruitment and advising, professional attainment, and service to the college. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong team player
• Commitment to company values
• Basic computer proficiency 
• Ability to analyze and proactively solve problems
• Excellent teaching and communication skills
• Dedication to professional attainment
• Commitment to quality improvement
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team is required.

• A graduate degree from a CAAHEP-accredited Master’s program in anesthesiology assistant studies.
• Must be a Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ clinical experience, administrative and organizational capabilities required. Documented experience in graduate teaching and advising in sciences.
• Experience preferred in leading or participating in CAAHEP / ARC-AA program accreditation activities is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or other recognized institutional accreditors' standards.
• Must have the requisite knowledge and skills to administer the classroom/academic aspects of the program.
• Must have requisite knowledge and skills to administer the operation of the overall program, including budget, staffing, and related tasks. 

Working Conditions and Efforts:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• This job is conducted in an office work environment.
• Approximately 90% of this position’s duties require the use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.
• Travel may be required.

Work Schedule:
• Typically, Monday through Friday, 8 am-5 pm
• May occasionally require evenings and weekends.