Academic Program Specialist - Medical Education

Penn State University • Tallahassee, FL

20h

About The Position

The Academic Program Specialist for the Office of Medical Education plays a pivotal role in overseeing the operations of the clinical curriculum within the MD Program at the College of Medicine. This position is integral to supporting students engaged in clinical experiences both on-site and at affiliated partner locations. The role ensures the successful implementation of programs that contribute to student development, accreditation standards, and educational excellence, particularly in clerkships and clinical electives. The Academic Program Specialist is responsible for organizing curricular materials and activities, orienting practice sites and preceptors to student learning objectives, and supporting program evaluation and assessment. As part of the clinical curriculum design team, this individual fosters strong relationships with medical educators, clinical faculty, and affiliate sites, while applying innovative solutions to enhance program delivery. The role requires independent judgment, effective communication across Penn State Health and College of Medicine systems, and a deep understanding of medical education processes and procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 3+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience accepted

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with clinical faculty and key stakeholders to implement curriculum updates, teaching modalities, and competency-based objectives.
• Partner with the Assistant Dean for Education in the Clinical Learning Environment to oversee Core Clerkships, including:
• Leading, training, mentoring Clerkship and Elective Coordinators through regular meetings and providing coverage when needed.
• Managing and evaluating the Phase II curriculum.
• Oversee National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) exam logistics including off cycle, remediation and accommodations examinees.
• Compiling and maintaining accreditation requirements
• Track off cycle learner completion of Phase II and III curricular requirements.
• Collaborate with Physician Assistant Program and MD/PhD program.
• Generate, maintain and distribute annual Phase II and III schedules.
• Organize the annual Clinical Education Partnership Retreat, including:
• Maintain clinical curriculum webpages and contact information
• Plan and coordinate the Transition to Clerkships course, ensuring effective simulation sessions and evaluations.
• Plan and coordinate the Intensive Review of Medical Knowledge course.
• Collaborate with the Foundations of Patient Centered Care Course Directors, Associate Dean for Learner Assessment and Program Evaluation and Assistant Dean for Education in the Clinical Learning Environment to create and oversee Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to assess student preparation to enter Year 4.
• Assist with Transition to Internship course.
• Support the monthly Clerkship Director meetings.

Benefits

• Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being.
• In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time.
• One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level