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Physician Assistant Program Director

Physician Assistant Program Director

Westfield State UniversityWestfield, MA
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Physician Assistant Program Director Category : Faculty / Librarians Subscribe : Department : HEALTH SCIENCES Locations : Westfield, MA Posted : Jul 15, 2025 Closes : Open Until Filled Type : Full-time Salary Type : Annually Position ID : 190434 Share

About Westfield State University :

In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

  • Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
  • Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
  • Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
  • Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
  • Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
  • Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.

Job Description :

Campus Title : Physician Assistant Program Director

State Job Title : Associate Professor / Tenure Track

Department : Health Sciences

Job Code : HA3100

FLSA Status : Exempt

Funding : TBD

Bargaining Unit : MSCA

Job Type : Full-time Permanent

Timeframe : 52 Weeks

Shift : Monday-Friday 9 : 00am-5 : 00pm

Regular Days Off : Saturday and Sunday

Supervision Received :   This positionreports to the Chair, Department of Health Sciences and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Education

Supervision Exercised : All full-time and part-time PA Program faculty, staff, guest lecturers, and the Medical Director

Salary : $130,000.00-$145,000.00 (Salary to commensurate with education and experience) and an additional summer stipend

About the PA Program

Westfield State University is home to the first and only Physician Assistant Program at a public institution in New England. Launched in 2018, the program has graduated six cohorts. With a history of success, the most recent graduating class achieved a 97% first-time PANCE pass rate with a 100% overall pass rate. It holds Accreditation-Continued status from the ARC-PA through 2032 and enrolls 30 students annually. Faculty are tenure-track and represented by the Massachusetts State College Association (MSCA). The university offers comprehensive benefits and requires faculty participation in teaching, scholarship, and service.

General Statement of Duties / Position Overview

  • The Program Director is a key academic leader responsible for the overall administration and quality of the Physician Assistant Program. This includes :
  • Ensuring compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards
  • Overseeing curriculum development, delivery, and evaluation
  • Managing budgetary and operational planning
  • Leading faculty and staff supervision and performance evaluation
  • Supporting student advisement and remediation
  • Maintaining clinical site relationships and preceptor recruitment
  • Providing direct instruction within the PA curriculum, consistent with MSCA workload requirements

    • Duties and Responsibilities :

    Duties include but not limited to :

    Essential :

    Administrative Leadership

  • Direct all daily operations of the PA Program
  • Manage program budgets, data systems, and strategic planning
  • Convene and lead regular faculty and staff meetings
  • Monitor student advising and academic support systems

    • Curriculum & Instruction

  • Develop and maintain curriculum aligned with ARC-PA standards
  • Evaluate course effectiveness and student learning outcomes
  • Provide classroom and / or clinical instruction in PA core courses
  • Support students in remediation and academic advising

    • Faculty & Staff Oversight

  • Assign teaching and administrative duties in coordination with the Department Chair
  • Supervise and evaluate full- and part-time faculty, staff, and the medical director
  • Lead hiring and onboarding of new program personnel
  • Encourage faculty involvement in scholarship, research, and service

    • Accreditation & Compliance

  • Lead and manage all aspects of ARC-PA accreditation, ensuring full and ongoing compliance
  • Serve as the primary liaison with ARC-PA and coordinate all communication and reporting
  • Oversee the program's self-study and continuous quality improvement efforts, including curriculum, assessment, admissions, clinical education, and student outcomes
  • Submit required accreditation documentation, including annual reports, interim updates, and notices of programmatic changes
  • Lead preparation for ARC-PA site visits, including narrative writing, evidence collection, and team coordination
  • Maintain awareness of current and evolving ARC-PA standards and integrate them into program practice and policy

    • Clinical & External Relations

  • Provide oversight on the development and maintenance of clinical rotation sites
  • Recruit and retain clinical preceptors and affiliated partners
  • Ensure students meet clinical performance benchmarks and graduation requirements

    • Service & Scholarship

  • Represent the PA Program in university, local, and national forums
  • Participate in leadership activities that advance PA education and professional development
  • Serve on university committees and engage in institutional initiatives
  • Attend relevant professional conferences and events
  • Perform additional duties as assigned by the Deans

    • Requirements :

    Minimum Qualifications

  • Graduate of an accredited Physician Assistant Program
  • Master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution
  • Current NCCPA certification
  • Eligible for licensure as a Physician Assistant in Massachusetts
  • At least three (3) years of full-time experience in higher education
  • Demonstrated knowledge of ARC-PA accreditation standards and the self-study process
  • Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and organizational skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data management systems
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Valid U.S. driver's license
  • Understanding of Westfield State University's mission and public service values

    • Additional Information :

    Salary :

    Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the .

    Employee Benefits :

    Benefits are an important component of an employee's total compensation package.

  • Health Insurance : Westfield State offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
  • Retirement : the MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
  • Tuition Waivers & Discounts : eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
  • Paid Time Off : employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.
  • Additional information regarding employee benefits is available on the University's .

    • Disability Accommodations

    Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

    Background Check

    Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

    Application Instructions :

    An online application is required. A complete application includes :

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Unofficial copy of transcripts of highest degree
  • Statement of teaching philosophy with areas for continuing scholarship
  • Contact information for three reference letter providers

    • Notes :

  • In your cover letter please include the ways in which you would advance diversity and inclusion in your classroom and at the university.

    • Application deadline : Review of applications will begin July 28, 2025. The job will remain open until finalists have been selected.

    NOTE : If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online . The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.

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    Assistant Program Director • Westfield, MA