The University of Dubuque is a growing faith-based University that
is seeking an
Associate Dean for Clinical Education for the
John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Position Summary:
The Associate Dean for Clinical Education provides strategic
leadership and operational oversight for the clinical curriculum
(Years 3-4) of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at John
and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed,
applicant seeking accreditation). The Associate Dean builds and
sustains a high-quality network of clinical training sites, ensures
consistent and fair educational experiences across clerkships and
rotations, and leads continuous quality improvement for the
clinical learning environment. The role ensures compliance with
applicable accreditation and regulatory expectations (e.g., COCA
standards, NBOME/COMLEX-related competencies), and collaborates
with faculty, staff, and clinical partners to advance the College's
mission to serve rural and underserved populations.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Direct the design, implementation, and continuous improvement
of the clinical (Years 3-4) curriculum, ensuring alignment with
program objectives and accreditation standards
Partner with clerkship directors to ensure clear learning
objectives, consistent expectations, and clinically relevant
instruction
Support integration of clinical education with preclinical
foundations, including readiness activities and
transition-to-clerkships programming
Promote effective educational methods in the clinical years
(e.g., structured bedside teaching, simulation-supported skills,
interprofessional learning) as appropriate
Recruit, evaluate, and sustain high-quality clinical training
sites across a network of hospitals, clinics, and community health
centers
Negotiate and maintain affiliation agreements and related site
documentation to ensure clarity of roles, expectations, and
compliance
Conduct regular site visits and relationship check-ins to
ensure strong learning environments, preceptor engagement, and
student support
Develop site capacity strategies that support the College's
mission and mitigate partner concentration risk
Oversee scheduling, rotation assignment processes, and
operational workflows for clerkships and electives
Ensure timely onboarding, orientation, and communication to
students and sites regarding expectations, policies, and
logistics
Establish and maintain systems for monitoring student progress,
professionalism, safety, and well-being in the clinical
environment
Partner with Student Affairs and other leaders to support
remediation pathways and individualized learning plans when
needed
Oversee evaluation and assessment systems for clinical courses,
clerkships, and rotations, ensuring validity, fairness, and
consistency across sites
Use performance data (including rotation evaluations and
relevant exam outcomes) to guide quality improvement and targeted
interventions
Establish processes for preceptor and site feedback, including
development plans where needed
Ensure documentation and reporting readiness for accreditation
reviews, including systematic tracking of outcomes and corrective
actions
Recommend and support clinical faculty and preceptors for
appointment and ongoing engagement
Provide faculty/preceptor development resources in teaching,
assessment, feedback, professionalism, and learner support
Foster a collaborative culture of clinical teaching excellence
across the clinical network
Provide leadership for the Office of Clinical Education,
including supervision of staff and relevant leaders (e.g.,
assistant or regional deans, as applicable)
Develop and manage budgets and operational plans that support
clinical education quality and growth
Collaborate with COM and University leadership to align
clinical education strategy with institutional priorities
Represent the College in regional and national forums related
to clinical education and workforce partnerships
Perform other duties as assigned in support of the
University'sMission
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building
skills
- Commitment to academic excellence, professionalism, and service
to rural and underserved communities
- Ability to build partnerships, lead multi-site operations, and
deliver consistent educational quality
- Experience developing distributed clinical education networks
and negotiating affiliation agreements
- Experience implementing competency-based assessments and
standardized evaluation processes across multiple sites
- Familiarity with simulation-supported clinical skills
development and interprofessional education
Qualifications:
- Medical degree (D.O. or M.D.) with board certification in a
clinical specialty
- Experience managing budgets and leading multi-site educational
operations preferred
- Knowledge of accreditation expectations and continuous
compliance practices related to clinical education (e.g., COCA
standards).
- Leadership experience in undergraduate clinical medical
education (e.g., Clerkship Director, Director of Clinical
Education, Associate/Assistant Dean, or equivalent)
- Evidence of scholarship or innovation in medical education,
healthcare leadership, or workforce development preferred
To apply with a growing faith-based University for the
Associate
Dean for Clinical Education for the John and Alice Butler
College of Osteopathic Medicine position, please submit a cover
letter, resume, three professional references, and UD employment
application, located on our website, to
HR@dbq.edu or to the Director of Human
Resources, at the University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue,
Dubuque, IA 52001.
Affirmation Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For more
information regarding the Jeanne Clery Act, please go to
https://www.dbq.edu/SafetySecurity/JeanneCleryAct/
