The Director of Didactic Education (DDE) provides strategic leadership, oversight, and continuous quality improvement for the didactic phase of the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program. Reporting directly to the Program Director, the DDE is responsible for ensuring the quality, integrity, implementation, assessment, and ongoing evaluation of the didactic curriculum while promoting excellence in teaching, learning, faculty development, and educational outcomes.
The DDE serves as a key member of the program leadership team in implementing initiatives that strengthen educational quality, improve learner outcomes, address accreditation recommendations, and support the successful achievement and maintenance of ARC-PA accreditation standards through continuous quality improvement efforts. Working collaboratively with the Program Director, Medical Director, Director of Clinical Education, principal faculty, instructional staff, and college leadership, the DDE provides leadership in curriculum development, assessment, accreditation compliance, and learner success.
Essential Duties:
Didactic Curriculum Leadership
Provide leadership for the planning, implementation, coordination, delivery, and continuous evaluation of the didactic curriculum.
Ensure the curriculum aligns with the program mission, graduate competencies, institutional goals, and ARC-PA Standards.
Coordinate course sequencing, scheduling, integration, and curricular mapping throughout the didactic phase.
Promote vertical and horizontal integration of clinical medicine, biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, clinical skills, evidence-based medicine, and professional practice.
Identify curricular gaps, eliminate unnecessary redundancy, and recommend curricular revisions based on assessment findings and stakeholder feedback.
Collaborate with the Director of Clinical Education to ensure continuity between the didactic and clinical phases of the curriculum.
Assessment and Continuous Quality Improvement
Lead implementation and ongoing evaluation of the didactic assessment plan.
Analyze learning outcomes using multiple assessment measures, including: Course / Practical / PACKRAT / End of Curriculum/ Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs); Competency / clinical readiness assessments; Course and program evaluations
Utilize assessment data to identify trends and recommend curricular improvements.
Coordinate annual curriculum review and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Develop reports summarizing learner outcomes and curricular effectiveness.
Collaborate with faculty to implement evidence-based curricular improvements.
Accreditation and Program Evaluation
Collaborate with the Program Director in maintaining compliance with ARC-PA Standards.
Assist with preparation of accreditation reports, annual reports, progress reports, self-studies, and site visit materials.
Maintain documentation demonstrating curriculum effectiveness and continuous quality improvement.
Assist in implementing and monitoring action plans developed in response to accreditation recommendations.
Monitor curricular changes to ensure compliance with ARC-PA reporting requirements.
Participate in ongoing program evaluation and strategic planning activities.
Faculty Leadership and Development
Mentor new and existing faculty regarding instructional design, teaching methodologies, assessment strategies, and learner-centered education.
Coordinate faculty orientation related to curriculum delivery and educational best practices.
Promote active learning, simulation-based education, and evidence-based instructional methods.
Coordinate peer teaching observations and facilitate constructive feedback.
Identify faculty development needs and recommend professional development opportunities.
Course Oversight
Review didactic course syllabi to ensure consistency with institutional and program policies.
Ensure course objectives, instructional activities, and assessments are appropriately aligned.
Monitor examination quality, item analysis, and alignment with NCCPA content and task areas.
Collaborate with course directors to improve assessment validity and reliability.
Ensure timely completion of grading, course evaluations, and required academic documentation.
Learner Success and Academic Support
Monitor learner academic performance throughout the didactic phase.
Identify learners at risk for academic difficulty using performance indicators and assessment data.
Collaborate with faculty to develop individualized remediation and academic success plans.
Participate in academic advising and learner mentoring.
Chair the Academic and Professional Performance Review Committee (APPRC) and other learner progression activities as assigned.
Collaborate with institutional student support services to promote learner success and retention.
Teaching Responsibilities
Maintain an active teaching workload appropriate to expertise and program needs.
Develop instructional materials utilizing evidence-based educational practices.
Participate in laboratory instruction, simulation activities, clinical skills instruction, and competency assessments.
Evaluate learner performance using valid, reliable, and equitable assessment methods.
Program Administration
Participate in admissions activities, including applicant interviews and admissions committee responsibilities.
Participate in faculty meetings, institutional committees, and program governance.
Assist with strategic planning and resource allocation related to didactic education.
Collaborate with the Medical Director and Director of Clinical Education to ensure curricular integration and program effectiveness.
Represent the program at institutional, regional, state, and national meetings as appropriate.
Scholarship and Professional Development
Maintain scholarly activity consistent with institutional expectations.
Participate in educational research, quality improvement initiatives, and professional service.
Maintain NCCPA certification, licensure, and continuing professional development.
Other Duties
Foster an inclusive, collaborative, and respectful learning environment.
Demonstrate professionalism consistent with the Physician Assistant profession and institutional values.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.
Required Qualifications:
Graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited Physician Assistant program.
Current NCCPA certification.
Eligibility for New York State licensure as a Physician Assistant within six months of start date of employment.
Master's degree in Physician Assistant studies
Minimum of five years of clinical practice experience.
Minimum of three years of experience teaching in a graduate PA or health professions education program.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, educational assessment, and student evaluation.
Knowledge of ARC-PA Standards and accreditation processes.
Excellent leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated ability to analyze educational data and implement continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student-centered education.
Preferred Qualifications:
Doctoral degree in education, health professions education, healthcare administration, or a related field.
Previous experience serving as a Director of Didactic Education, Academic Coordinator, Associate Program Director, or equivalent academic leadership role.
Experience participating in ARC-PA accreditation reviews or self-study preparation.
Experience leading curriculum redesign or competency-based education initiatives.
Experience mentoring faculty and facilitating faculty development.
Experience with simulation-based education and educational technologies.
Experience with assessment software and educational data analytics.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Ability to mentor faculty and foster collaborative working relationships.
