Summary: The Program Director (PD) for Anesthesiology Studies reports to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy and is a 12-month, non-tenure position. The PD is responsible for planning, organization, administration, and continual monitoring and development of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in order to assure its efficient operation. The PD is responsible for assuring compliance with university policies and accreditation standards (CAAHEP, ARC-AA). The PD assures that the curriculum is current, relevant, and meets the curricular goal of placing students into a favorable position of passing the NCCAA board examination and practicing in a professional, ethical, and optimal manner.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Program Director include:
General
- Work closely with the Dean to assure College and student success.
- Supporting all daily operations of the College and performing other duties as assigned by the Dean.
- Direct or oversee staff support activities for the Office of Academic Affairs and assure performance is at the highest standard possible.
- Participate in teaching, scholarship, and service-related activities.
- Represent the College at the local, state, and national level.
Anesthesiology Assistant Program
- Work with appropriate committees and individuals to assure that both SACS and CAAHEP accreditation standards are being met for the program.
- Collaborate with the faculty and other key stakeholders to assess programmatic and curricular outcomes of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program.
- Work alongside the Medical Director, Dean, and faculty to oversee the M.S. in Anesthesiology Studies curriculum, which includes:
- Academic schedules
- Assessment strategies.
- Maintain records of the academic program and student progression
- Grade point averages
- Individual and Program results on licensure examinations (e.g., NCCAA)
- Remediation
- Academic recovery contracts and re-admission requirements
- Assist faculty as a resource for implementation and assessment of new pedagogical approaches utilized within the teaching environment.
- Assist faculty as a resource for new technology utilized within the classroom or clinical settings.
- Plan for appropriate staffing that meets the needs of the curriculum and students, and establish acceptable teaching loads in accordance with the policies of the University.
- Establish a strategic plan for the Anesthesiologist Assistant Studies program in conjunction with the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
- Direct faculty recruitment efforts in consultation with the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
- Supervise faculty and evaluate their performance.
- Recruit and supervise support staff and evaluate their performance.
- Complete application and descriptive report for provisional accreditation of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program through CAAHEP and ARC-AA.
- Develop Policies and Procedures for the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program in conjunction with the program faculty, Medical Director, and the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
- Develop and manage the program annual budget in consultation with the Dean of the College of Pharmacy.
- Interacts with the College and University chairs and deans, faculty and administration to promote the Program's goals and academic development and to ensure the integration of the Program into the activities of the College and University.
- Assist in the acquisition and development of clinical teaching sites.
- Serves as resource to the local medical community on issues regarding Anesthesiologist Assistants and use of advanced practice providers.
- Participates in local and national organizations to ensure Program excellence and appropriateness of the curriculum and instruction.
- Participates in scholarly activities in order to ensure personal growth.
- Assume a teaching load commensurate with administrative responsibilities.
- Oversees accreditation requirements and ensures AA program compliance.
- Serves on committees as requested or designated.
- In conjunction with the Office of Graduate Admissions, oversees the recruitment, selection and orientation of Anesthesiologist Assistant students. Conducts interviews.
- Based upon the evaluation and recommendation of the faculty, is responsible for the overall evaluation of the students' performance, monitors academic progress and certifies students for graduation, by ensuring competent educational guidance is provided in the classroom coursework to further ensure clinical educational success.
- Assist in the recruitment, development and maintenance of principle faculty, adjunct didactic faculty, clinical faculty and staff.
- Promotes an atmosphere of collaboration and mentoring among and between classes of students and Alumni of the AA program.
- Regularly evaluates student progress and ensures that there are follow up studies on the placement and achievement of Program graduates.
- Interacts with the University administrators and various students' services to ensure the availability of needed services for the students of the Program.
Committee Responsibilities
The PD serves on the following College committees as assigned by the Dean:
- Anesthesiologist Assistant Academic Progression Committee
- Anesthesiologist Assistant Curriculum/Assessment Committee
- Library and Technology Committee
- Leadership Team
Supervisory Responsibilities
Provides supervision, mentoring, and oversight to the faculty and staff of the Anesthesiologist Assistant Program
Education and Experience
- Graduate of an accredited Anesthesiologist Assistant Program (Masters level degree or higher);
- Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice as an Anesthesiologist Assistant;
- Qualify for the academic rank of Associate Professor or above;
- Higher education administrative and leadership abilities and experience;
- Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
Licensure and Certification
Licensure with the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners and the NCCAA
Job Related Skills
The ideal candidate should possess:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
- Vision and collaborative skills to build partnerships;
- Excellent interpersonal and group communication skills;
- Excellent problem-solving skills;
- Ability to read and interpret scientific literature or financial reports;
- Ability to develop business plans and create contracts or other legal documents;
- Able to effectively present information in oral or written form to local, state, and national stakeholders;
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw conclusions to solve problems and plan strategic initiatives;
- Ability to interpret and create technical business plans and negotiate financial arrangements.
Budgetary Responsibility
The candidate is expected to provide budgetary oversight for expenditures, salaries, and other financial statements within the Anesthesiology Assistant Program.
Confidentiality
The candidate will be exposed to confidential matters such as student records, health information, organizational plans, financial statements and salaries. It is University policy and Federal law in certain areas that the candidate maintains confidentiality on these matters.
Other qualifications
Demonstrated spiritual maturity, ethical conduct, professionalism, interpersonal skills, and leadership and management abilities. Understanding of current professional trends in anesthesiology and vision to foresee future opportunities and challenges in the profession. Demonstrate professional leadership and service within national, state, and local anesthesiology organizations.
5 years: Graduate of an accredited Anesthesiologist Assistant Program (Masters level degree or higher);
Minimum of 5 years of clinical practice as an Anesthesiologist Assistant;
Qualify for the academic rank of Associate Professor or above;
Higher education administrative and leadership abilities and experience;
Demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
(required)
Lipscomb University
Apr 29, 2025