Director of Clinical Skills Education

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

About The Position

The University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine seeks a veterinarian to lead clinical skills education, competency development, and curricular implementation within its OnWard veterinary medical curriculum. This full-time educational role is in the Department of Medical Sciences and does not include a clinical appointment within UW Veterinary Care. The Director coordinates and delivers clinical skills education across all four years of the DVM program, helping students progressively develop, practice, and demonstrate competencies expected of entry-level veterinarians. The role has primary responsibility for the three-year Clinical Skills course and contributes substantially to the Surgery and Anesthesia course and other hands-on instructional areas. The Director works with faculty, instructional specialists, the Office of Academic Affairs, and the Director of Assessment to integrate clinical skills and competency development across the curriculum. This includes implementing workplace-based and competency-based assessment, such as Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS) and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs), and aligning instruction and assessment with the AAVMC Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) framework. The successful candidate is supported by the School’s Curriculum and Educational Support team, which provides expertise in educational design, pedagogy, assessment, instructional technology, and curricular innovation. Applicants with experience in general practice, large- or small-animal practice, or specialty practice are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or equivalent.
At least 5 years in practice.
Eligibility for veterinary licensure in Wisconsin by the start date.
Experience with or demonstrated interest in veterinary clinical education.
Demonstrated ability to teach clinical skills relevant to veterinary students and coordinate instruction involving faculty from multiple clinical disciplines.
Strong organizational, communication, and collaborative skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching veterinary students in clinical, laboratory, simulation, or skills-based settings.
Experience with curriculum development, competency-based veterinary education, or assessment of clinical performance.
Familiarity with CBVE, EPAs, workplace-based assessment, or similar competency-based educational frameworks.
Experience coordinating complex instructional activities involving multiple instructors, disciplines, or learner groups.
Board certification in a veterinary specialty, such as DABVP, DACVIM, or DAVCS; welcomed but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, administration, coordination, and delivery of the Clinical Skills course across small- and large-animal areas.
Provide hands-on clinical skills instruction and coordinate participation by faculty and other instructors with relevant clinical expertise.
Develop, refine, and maintain clinical skills learning activities, instructional materials, models, simulations, and assessments.
Sequence clinical skills intentionally across the curriculum so students can learn, practice, receive feedback, and demonstrate increasing proficiency.
Work with the Director of Assessment to integrate DOPS, EPAs, and other competency-based assessments across the curriculum and clinical learning environment.
Align clinical skills instruction, assessment, and curricular outcomes with the CBVE framework and expectations for entry-level veterinary practice.
Contribute to planning, coordination, and delivery of the Surgery and Anesthesia course, particularly its hands-on and clinical skills components.
Collaborate with course directors, module leaders, clinical faculty, and other educators to identify clinical skills development opportunities throughout the OnWard curriculum.
Coordinate the logistical and instructional needs of clinical skills teaching with the Director of Instructional Specialists and the instructional specialist team, including scheduling, facilities, equipment, supplies, models, and teaching personnel.
Partner with the Office of Academic Affairs, particularly the Associate Dean for Professional Programs and clinical assessment leadership, in curricular planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement.
Use student performance data, faculty and student feedback, and educational best practices to evaluate and continuously improve clinical skills and competency development.
Participate in other teaching and curricular activities consistent with the needs of the professional veterinary medical program.
Facilitate classroom, online, and/or laboratory instruction and assess student performance.
May supervise student employees involved in developing or delivering instruction.
Develop and design course curricula and instructional materials.
Collaborate with department faculty and staff to develop discipline-relevant teaching strategies.
Contribute to teaching and learning scholarship, including publications and presentations.
Contribute to strategic development of curriculum and academic content across various mediums.
Advise students on academic and career direction within a specific field of study.