Tenure Track – Program Director: Physician Assistant - Master of Science in Medicine Program

Point Loma Nazarene University•San Diego, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Point Loma Nazarene University seeks a mission-driven Program Director to provide strategic leadership and vision for the Department of Physician Assistant Education. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the Director will guide the program in alignment with the University’s purpose and Christian higher-education goals. This is a 12-month, full-time (1.0 FTE) faculty appointment, with tenure-track and non-tenure-track options available. The Director will lead and oversee program operations in collaboration with faculty and staff, including curriculum, course coordination and assessment, clinical affiliations, continuous program evaluation, fiscal management, and continuing ARC-PA accreditation. The position includes teaching in areas of expertise as available and service to the program and profession, including student recruitment, orientation, and retention. The Director will recruit, mentor, and develop faculty and staff; foster collaborative professional relationships; and promote student-centered, active learning. The Physician Assistant Master of Science in Medicine program comprises 117 units over 28 months and is delivered face-to-face at PLNU’s Balboa Regional Center in San Diego. The program has didactic and clinical phases and a dedicated service month each year. It holds ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued and reported first-time PANCE pass rates of 93% in 2023, 97% in 2024, and 100% in 2025. Its mission is to produce competent, professional clinicians who practice evidence-based medicine, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and manifest their faith through service to the community. Candidates must demonstrate a thorough commitment to Christian higher education, provide evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement, and agree to live in accordance with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant. Applications received by December 1, 2026, receive priority consideration; the search remains open until the position is filled.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited physician assistant program.
At least a master’s degree.
NCCPA certified or certification eligible; upon hire, evidence of NCCPA certification is required.
Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a Physician Assistant in California; upon hire, evidence of California licensure is required.
Prior experience with development of a physician assistant program.
Demonstrated experience in administration, management, and leadership.
Demonstrated leadership experience and dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and belonging in an ethnically and culturally diverse community.
Thorough commitment to Christian higher education and desire to support the institution’s religious and educational goals.
Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement.
Agreement to live in accordance with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate; an earned doctorate is preferred.
Prior experience as a program director.
Commitment to excellence in graduate teaching, with demonstrated effectiveness teaching students from diverse backgrounds preferred.
Ability to work strategically and communicate effectively, particularly with an ethnically and culturally diverse Christian campus community.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Department of Physician Assistant Education, consistent with the University’s purpose.
Lead the program toward student-centered, active-learning approaches to instruction.
Oversee preparation for, development of, and continuing assessment of ARC-PA accreditation.
Collaborate with clinical-phase faculty to develop and maintain clinical affiliation sites and agreements.
Lead ongoing curricular revisions and coordinate and assess courses.
Manage day-to-day program matters, including faculty and staff hiring, evaluation, and development.
Conduct continuous program evaluation, analysis, and improvement.
Oversee departmental fiscal management.
Teach in areas of expertise as available.
Perform service activities that advance the program and profession, including student recruitment, orientation, and retention.
Guide faculty and staff in setting goals and developing organizational plans.
Communicate departmental priorities and resource needs to the Dean, and communicate administrative priorities and expectations to department faculty and staff.
Recruit, mentor, and develop qualified faculty and professional staff; serve as an accessible mentor to them.
Involve faculty and staff appropriately in decisions and communicate decisions affecting them or the program.
Work with faculty, University administrators, and academic support offices to implement academic policies and procedures consistently.
Encourage effective working relationships with other departments and schools.
Arrange equitable allocation of faculty responsibilities and encourage and support faculty in obtaining extramural grants.
Contribute to the department’s image and reputation within the University community.
Provide effective leadership and management of all facets of the program and department.