Learning Specialist

WVU Medicine

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Learning Specialist will assess and teach cognitive/affective skills to students pursuing a Medical Doctorate (M.D.) degree. The Learning Specialist will assist and equip medical students to achieve academic and professional success through a variety of activities including academic coaching, life skills support, and other services. The Learning Specialist will also link students to services as appropriate, such as the Peer Assisted Learning Service (PALS).

Requirements

Masters Degree in higher education, science education, educational psychology, social work, student affairs, special education, basic sciences, or related field.
Valid WV driver’s license
Three (3) years of educational work experience
Demonstrated leadership, organization and management skills
Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with senior management across organization orally and in writing
Advanced analytical, evaluative, and objective critical thinking skills
Knowledge of the structure and operations of a major university
Ability to perform complex tasks and to prioritize multiple projects
Demonstrated ability to foster team work, delegate and ensure accountability
Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills
Advanced project management skills
Skills in exercising initiative, resourcefulness and sound judgment with the ability to problem solve and make decisions
Ability to use email, word, PowerPoint and excel
Ability to use and teach implementation of Learning Space and E-value

Nice To Haves

Doctoral Degree in higher education, science education, educational psychology, social work, student affairs, special education, basic sciences, or related field.
Five (5) years of educational work experience

Responsibilities

Maintain a working knowledge of the learning sciences literature, instructional theory, study resources (e.g., ANKI) and test-taking strategies to operationalize advising services and programming to maximize students’ academic and professional success.
Provide medical students with relevant learning strategies, trouble-shooting, coaching, advocacy, and support.
Assess students’ academic progress and develop strategies for academic improvement.
Design specific study/time management plans based on students’ needs.
Provide instruction and advising that will occur in individual student appointments, workshops and professional development activities.
Assess, innovate and implement strategies to improve student support services across the medical curriculum and monitor the academic progress of medical students in collaboration with faculty and the student services team.
Manage academic intervention and advising for medical students, including tracking their academic progress; initiating student contact; interpreting assessment instruments, including but not limited to The Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI), Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality inventory, Error Analysis; and using results to advise students on how to enhance learning and performance.
Identify and guide students to appropriate resources, such as the Office of Accessibility Services and assist with implementation of approved accommodations.
Assist student in applying for accommodations on national licensure examinations including but not limited to the USMLE.
Oversee the Peer Assisted Learning Services (PALS) program, including vetting applications for peer tutors, and orienting tutors to their roles and responsibilities.
Thoughtfully integrate evidence-based approaches to support the academic success of students from diverse backgrounds.
Perform data entry and management of student data (e.g., online student portfolios) to support identification and advising of at-risk students and documenting in the portfolios the recommended interventions.
This position will add academic counseling notes in the EValue portfolio system when meeting with and communicating with students. This aspect of the position will require collaboration with the director of assessment to ensure proper and consistent documentation of educational or academic counseling/coaching.
Assist in preparation of operational reports and analyze assessment data to identify progress, adverse trends, and recommendations for curriculum development.
Meet with faculty and students services team on a regular basis (e.g., post-exam meetings with course directors) to monitor progress of students’ academic and professional development.
Assist students in successfully integrating into the institution's environment to thrive both personally and academically.