Recruitment Period: 06/09/2022 - Until Filled

Status: Full Time

Applicants for all positions will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 during the hiring process. Valid medical or religious exemptions will be considered.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and Master of Arts in Medical Science enrolling over 550 students annually with plans to develop other programs and/or colleges. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five state region.

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

General Summary:

The Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences School of Dental Medicine (PNWU SDM) invites qualified applications for a full-time faculty position at the level of Associate Dean to join the PNWU School of Dental Medicine, effective October 1, 2022. This position will be appointed as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and will work closely with the Dean, the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, and critical university leadership to develop and implement a unique, cutting-edge didactic and clinical curriculum designed to train primary care dentists for practice in rural and underserved communities in the Pacific Northwest. The program will include a heavy emphasis on interprofessional education and a three-year clinical training component at community partner sites in Washington. The PNWU SDM is looking for an individual with the drive and desire to be part of the team developing the new dental school and overseeing the ongoing academic program.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is responsible for establishing a vision and strategic plan for the future of the Office of Academic Affairs in consultation with the dean and aligned with SDM and the University, preparing CODA accreditation standards and ensuring the preparation of materials and documentation required for initial and continued accreditation of the SDM by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and other accrediting agencies (state and regional), and ensuring the curriculum includes IPE, leveraging educational partnerships with other PNWU programs and with other regional higher education institutions as appropriate. In collaboration with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, ensures the consistency of education across the school’s extramural clinical sites and that faculty are calibrated according to accepted standards. This person is responsible for managing the operations of the Office of Academic Affairs, building, and maintaining internal and external strategic partnerships to support the community based, integrated model of dental education, and collaborating with the other PNWU associate deans and program directors in developing an integrated SDM. The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs promotes a highly collaborative community, highlights student success, faculty, and staff accomplishments, and embodies a climate that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Essential Job Functions:

· Serves as the senior educational officer and is responsible for planning, developing, and managing the predoctoral dental education program leading to the DMD degree

· Responsible for implementing academic policies related to the DMD curriculum, including instruction, student evaluation, advancement, and graduation

· Provides leadership for assessing, evaluating, and continuous quality improvement of an innovative curriculum

· Maintains a solid supportive relationship with other administrators, faculty, staff, and students to facilitate a humanistic and inclusive learning environment for a diverse student body, providing focus, and ensuring educational compliance with accreditation standards

· Responsible for preparing outcome measure data supporting the educational program related to the Commission on Dental Accreditation Standards

· Participates in the development of the SDM’s strategic plan, implementing and assessing those aspects related to education and the DMD program

· Serves as an advocate for student learning and, in conjunction with the University, provides academic support and tutoring services

· Continually updates, implements, and enforces the policies and procedures in the DMD student handbook

· Serves as an Ex-officio member of the SDM’s curriculum committee and chairs the Student Performance Evaluation Committee

· Engages in preclinical/clinical or didactic teaching consistent with their area of expertise

· Understands accreditation standards and expectations specific to the unit and adheres to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards

· Conducts self appropriately and consistently in accordance with the philosophy and mission of PNWU

· Other duties as assigned

Education:

• Required: Must possess a DDS/DMD or an equivalent degree; candidates eligible for a dental license in the State of Washington will be encouraged to secure a license once hired

Experience:

• Required: Experience in devising, implementing, and enforcing Commission on Dental Accreditation standards and an outstanding record of dental education and curriculum development accomplishments

• Required: Educational experience of at least seven years with a strong record of scholarly and professional achievement

• Academic leadership abilities at a CODA-accredited College/School of Dental Medicine

• Commitment to collaboration with partner Federally Qualified Health Centers and other community health providers

• Preferred: A track record of scholarship

• Commitment to public health, rural communities, and evidenced-based care

• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging

• Commitment to excellence and innovation in dental education, primary care integration, and interprofessional education

• Demonstrated passion for rural and underserved communities as well as underrepresented population

Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Ability to foster and develop relationships and build consensus with the faculty and staff; authentic, collegial, and collaborative; strong organization, interpersonal, and planning skills; strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances; ability to problem solve by analyzing issues and creating action plans; ability to manage projects and people and prioritize and self-direct workflow; ability to work with and manage different computer programs (i.e., basic Microsoft Office Suite Programs); ability to schedule activities and/or meetings as applicable; and ability to build successful teams and form consensus while advancing projects and strategic priorities in collaboration with others

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

• Detailed curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description, but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.