Physician Assistant Department Chair - Samuel Merritt University

Lead with purpose at Samuel Merritt University, where education and compassion drive healthcare transformation. SMU is hiring a Physician Assistant Department Chair in Oakland, CA, to shape innovative programs and support a diverse faculty in advancing health equity. This hybrid role combines leadership in curriculum and accreditation with flexible work options, including community clinic engagement. Recognized with the Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award, SMU is a top-ranked institution committed to reducing disparities and empowering the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Another Source's client, Samuel Merritt University, is recruiting a Physician Assistant Department Chair to join their team in Oakland, CA. This is a hybrid role with lots of flexibility to work remotely every week including the ability to work one day a week in a community clinic!

About Samuel Merritt University:

Samuel Merritt University graduates improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for all members of our communities. We have spent more than a century preparing outstanding healthcare professionals through immersive learning and community engagement and are deeply committed to transforming healthcare through diversity and inclusion. At the College of Nursing (CoN), we are at the forefront of educational innovation in theory and practice to prepare highly competent professional nursing leaders who are engaged in the advancement of nursing practice and the improvement of health for diverse populations/peoples. Our motto is education plus compassion which we proudly demonstrate in the ways that we serve our students, faculty, staff, and in our local communities.

Ranked #1 in California for preparing graduates to secure jobs with a 97% placement rate within one year of graduation, SMU offers one of the few podiatric medicine programs in the U.S. and is proud to be a recipient of the Innovations in Professional Nursing Education Award.

Benefits at Samuel Merritt University (SMU):

SMU offers a robust and flexible benefits package to support employees' well-being and financial security:

Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans (including no-cost options) and employer-funded HSAs.

• Retirement Savings: 403(b) plan with up to 7% employer contributions and a 457(b) plan for additional savings.

• Insurance Coverage: Free life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance; optional short-term disability, legal services, and pet insurance.

• Work-Life Balance: Generous vacation, sick leave, paid holidays (including a Christmas-New Year's break), and volunteer days.

• Additional Perks: Tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, employee discounts, and a supportive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

The salary range for this role is budgeted at $160,000 - $190,000.

Learn more about SMU's benefits here.

About the role:

As the Department Chair, you will provide academic leadership in the development and operation of a graduate program for the preparation of physician assistants. You will have the opportunity to lead department development efforts, including faculty recruitment, determination of curricula and academic policies, and development of initial clinical affiliations. You will advise on admission student recruitment and marketing strategies, provide leadership in achieving and maintaining professional accreditation status and manage the capital and operational budget for the department. Additionally, you will direct program evaluation, guide quality management systems, assess the equivalency of student learning and campus services for all cohorts, and mentor junior faculty to develop effective teaching strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Teaching responsibilities (25%):

• Physician assistant courses, as assigned.

Program responsibilities (75%):

• Recruit and retain program faculty.

• Develop a five-year plan for the program and contribute to the development of the College's strategic plan.

• Manage the operational and capital budget for the program.

• Maintain collaborative relationships with regional colleges and clinical agencies for both the recruitment of students and development of clinical placements.

• Develop new clinical contracts to enable students to meet program objectives in collaboration with University leadership.

• Represent the department on Academic Leadership Team and other University committees as appropriate.

• Provide leadership in advancing the mission and values of the College/University, incorporating principles of quality management for continuous improvement.

• Guide the Department in achievement and maintenance of professional. accreditation; maintain compliance with ARC-PA Standards.

Annual duties, including:

• Set goals for the department for each new academic year.

• Evaluate department faculty and staff.

• Implement a faculty development plan based on individual and department needs.

• Develop the capital and operational budget for the department.

• Provide annual reports and survey data.

• Coordinate assessment of outcomes from all cohorts, assess and assure equivalency across multiple sites.

Qualifications:

• National certification as a physician assistant.

• Master's degree in Physician Assistant. Doctorate in a health science or related field preferred.

• Teaching experience required and administrative experience strongly preferred; at least 3 years full-time higher education teaching experience required.

• A minimum of four years of experience as a practicing physician assistant.

• Knowledge of curriculum development and department management in higher education.

• In-depth knowledge of the roles and requirements of physician assistant.

• Ability to develop annual and strategic plans to accomplish department goals: business plan, five-year academic plan, marketing plan.

• Ability to identify and negotiate clinical affiliations with physicians, health maintenance organizations, and other appropriate clinical settings.

• Knowledge of budget development and management for an academic department.

• Clinical expertise as a physician assistant.

Another Source works with their clients, on a retained project basis. We are committed to building inclusive candidate pools as we partner with hiring teams. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. As you read through the job posting and review the list of qualifications (required and/or preferred), please do not self-select out if you feel you do not meet every qualification. No one is 100% qualified. We encourage you to apply and share your story with us.

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