Instructor - Emergency Medical Care

Instructor - Emergency Medical Care

Western Carolina University

Department: School of Health Sciences

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

This position is hybrid (or possibly fully remote) and open to qualified candidates residing within the United States.

Following recent departmental alignment and ongoing strategic growth, we are pleased to post a new position in the EMC Program. The restructured Department of Therapeutic and Clinical Healthcare invites applications for a twelve-month, fixed-term position. This is a full-time appointment with responsibilities in the Emergency Medical Care Program with the rank of Instructor, Associate Instructor, or Senior Instructor determined by qualifications and experience. Salary and rank are commensurate with academic qualifications and experience for a regional comprehensive university. Preferred start date is August 1, 2026, with consideration for January 1, 2027.

Responsibilities of the position include: (1) teaching undergraduate courses in the Emergency Medical Care curriculum; (2) advising and mentoring undergraduate students in collaboration with the Advising Center; and (3) providing meaningful service to the university, profession, and community. Opportunities for summer teaching are available.

We seek candidates who demonstrate their ability to work with, and be sensitive to the educational needs of, first generation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and rural populations; and support the Universitys commitment to Honoring Our Promise. The Emergency Medical Care program holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

The Emergency Medical Care program is housed in the 160,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Health and Human Sciences Building and is part of the robust and engaged College of Health and Human Sciences. The EMC program is a 120-credit hour with 61 credit hours of EMC specific curriculum, the program is designed to prepare students to be professionally engaged while delivering high quality patient-centered care as a paramedic. Through a comprehensive and innovative experience, the Western Carolina University Emergency Medical Care Program aspires to be a recognized leader in preparing highly skilled and professionally progressive leaders in the field of paramedicine. The EMC program was originally accreditated in 1988 and received 5-year reaccreditation from the CAAHEP in 2023.

The Department of Therapeutic and Clinical Healthcare offers undergraduate programs in Emergency Medical Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Recreational Therapy and a Master of Science in Athletic Training. Additional departments within the College of Health and Human Sciences include Communication Sciences and Disorders, Integrated and Environment Health Sciences, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A collaborative environment conducive to interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship and service exists within the School and College of Health and Human Sciences. Western North Carolinas rural, ageing, and medically underserved population and location provides numerous and rich opportunities for community partnerships, collaborative research, and grant acquisition. More information on the school can be found on the website: hs.wcu.edu and information on the College can be found on the website: chhs.wcu.edu.

Western Carolina University is a regional comprehensive university of 12,000 students with its main campus located in Cullowhee, NC. Part of our mission is to inspire student learning through innovative teaching, nationally recognized programs, exceptional support, and a robust connectedness with surrounding communities in Southern Appalachia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The county and surrounding areas provide residents a high quality of life with their proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, diverse outdoor adventures, a thriving arts community, and mild year-around temperatures.

Reports To: Director, Department of Therapeutic and Clinical Healthcare

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the vision and mission of Emergency Medical Care program, along with that of the Department, College, and University.
• Develop and deliver content and courses within the EMC program.
• Mentor and advise students in collaboration with the Advising Center with regard to academic progress and professional development.
• Provide service to the university, profession, and community.
• Maintain currency and contemporary expertise in the academic discipline through continuing education, scholarship, and/or participation in activities within the profession, including involvement within professional organizations at the state, district and national levels.
• Work cooperatively and collegially with all faculty and staff involved in the Emergency Medical Care program, College of Health and Human Sciences, and across the university.
• Submit appropriate artifacts, narratives, and data related to program, liberal studies, and accreditation assessment and continuous improvement.
• Carry out other assignments and duties as assigned by the Emergency Medical Care Program Director, Department Head of the Department of Therapeutic and Clinical Healthcare, and Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline.
• Evidence of teaching experience in the discipline.
• Three-year professional practice-based experience in the field.
• Evidence of service to the profession or community.
• Current paramedic certification and eligibility for North Carolina certification as a paramedic and a paramedic instructor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Additional credentials or certifications in specialties in health care.
• Evidence of online teaching experience in the discipline.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include the following:

1. Letter of application.
2. Current CV.
3. List of a minimum of 3 professional references with complete contact information.
4. Description of your teaching philosophy.
5. Unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the masters degree level and higher.*
6. Copy of credentials and certifications (if applicable)

*For questions or additional information please contact:* Dr. Steve Johnson sljohnson@email.wcu.edu