Medical Education Learning Specialist School of Medicine

Come work at QU•North Haven, CT

72d•Onsite

About The Position

The Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine is seeking a dynamic Medical Education Learning Specialist to support our students in our state-of-the-art North Haven campus. The Learning Specialist for the MD School of Medicine plays a vital role in empowering medical students to thrive academically and professionally. Through individualized coaching, comprehensive learning assessments, and evidence-based strategies, this role helps students strengthen study habits, enhance self-regulation, refine test-taking skills, and deepen clinical reasoning. As a key partner working collaboratively with faculty, deans, Academic Success Support Team, and the University Learning Commons, the Learning Specialist will lead efforts to identify students at academic risk early and provide targeted support in early intervention, and remediation. This position bridges the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Medical Education, ensuring a coordinated approach to learning support, progression, and curricular alignment. This position contributes to advancing the school’s mission to develop physician-leaders who are self-directed, reflective, and committed to lifelong learning and success in clinical practice.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher in Educational Psychology, Learning Sciences, Cognitive Science, Instructional Design, Higher Education, or a related field
Minimum three years of experience in academic coaching, learning strategy instruction, or academic support with adult or graduate learners
Demonstrated knowledge of learning theory, metacognition, and assessment design relevant to professional education
Strong ability to analyze academic performance data and design individualized remediation plans
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with demonstrated capacity to build rapport with diverse learners
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, administrators, and other academic support staff
Commitment to equity, inclusion, and holistic student support
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from varied backgrounds

Nice To Haves

Experience in medical, health professions, or graduate-level education environments preferred
Familiarity with NBME-style multiple-choice questions, Step 1/Step 2 content domains, and clinical reasoning frameworks
Training or certification in academic coaching or educational therapy preferred

Responsibilities

Conduct one-on-one academic coaching sessions with students to evaluate learning behaviors, study strategies, time management, and test-taking approaches.
Design and implement personalized learning plans for students experiencing academic difficulty or preparing for high-stakes assessments (NBME exams, USMLE Step 1/2).
Provide structured guidance on analyzing test performance, interpreting item-type errors, and applying clinical reasoning frameworks.
Collaborate with student advisors, course directors, and faculty mentors to ensure consistency of academic support strategies.
Develop and deliver workshops and small-group sessions on effective learning, metacognition, test preparation, and cognitive resilience.
Train and partner with the student-led peer tutoring program (Peer Fellows).
Contribute to orientation, transition-to-medical-school programming, and Step preparation sessions.
Partner with Student Affairs and the Academic Success Support Team to implement proactive outreach for students flagged by early-alert or assessment systems.
Serve as a key member of the Academic Success Support Team and participate in case discussions regarding remediation and progression.
Advise the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education on curricular or assessment issues affecting student performance.
Maintain close communication with faculty and administrators to ensure confidentiality, transparency, and timely coordination.
Maintain confidential records of student encounters and progress.
Analyze outcomes data (exam performance, remediation rates, USMLE outcomes) to identify trends and recommend targeted interventions.
Participate in continuous quality improvement of student success programs and LCME accreditation documentation.
Engage in ongoing professional development in learning science, medical education, and academic coaching.
Participate in national communities of practice such as the Medical Education Learning Specialists (MELS).
Contribute to presentations or publications related to student learning, remediation, and academic success.