Academic Specialist, Physician Assistant Studies

Saint Joseph's University•Philadelphia, PA

21h

About The Position

The Academic Specialist provides essential academic and administrative support for the Physician Assistant (PA) program. This role helps maintain high academic standards by coordinating curriculum delivery, supporting faculty, tracking student performance, assisting with continuous quality improvement (CQI) and accreditation processes, and supporting the admissions process. This position supports the Program Director, Director of Academic Education, and Director of Experiential Education.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required (Education, Health Sciences, Data Science or related field preferred).
2-3 years of experience in higher education, academic support, or program coordination.
Strong organizational, communication, and data management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, and Learning Management System (Canvas).
Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students.
Proficiency in basic data manipulation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with higher education systems such as Banner, CourseDog, EXAAT, DegreeWorks.
Familiarity with higher education admissions and student services issues
Experience working in an inclusive environment
Excellent organizational and training skills
Excellent verbal/written communication skills
Excellent problem-solving skills
Skills in the development, implementation, and execution of programs.

Responsibilities

Assist with course creation and scheduling in the SJU scheduling systems, including day/time assignments, admissions, enrollment management, instructor assignments, and course and section inventory.
Manage student progression including data, periodic degree audits, DegreeWorks exceptions/overrides, transfer credits, academic standing, program-specific progression letters, and graduation application and clearance.
Coordinate faculty advising and student academic success program.
Assist students with registration, curriculum checklist questions, university policies and procedures, and profile management in the Nest.
Provide administrative support for experiential education
Coordinate clinical affiliation agreements and ensure documentation is current and compliant.
Maintain an updated database of clinical sites, schedules, and student placements.
Communicate rotation assignments, site requirements, and expectations to students in a timely and professional manner.
Ensure students meet all pre-clinical requirements (e.g., immunizations, background checks, drug screens, certifications).
Maintain confidential student records and ensure FERPA compliance.
Maintain documentation in accordance with ARC-PA standards and assist with data collection for accreditation reports and self-studies.
Support the evaluation of clinical sites, preceptors, and student performance during rotations.
Assist with catalog and website updates related to the Physician Assistant studies.
Maintain class rosters, including email listservs and appropriate attributes and concentrations, for both pre-PA and professional PA students.
Work in collaboration with the SHP Director of Data Analysis and Assessment to collect and analyze student performance data to support program outcomes management and accreditation reports creation.
Support program compliance with ARC-PA standards and PANCE blueprint alignment.
Facilitate onboarding into the professional phase of all programs, including welcome letters, arranging for IDs/parking passes, answering questions, liaising between programs, and students.
Serve as a liaison to the undergraduate program to answer questions related to admissions.
Perform other duties, as assigned.