Program Director, Cardiovascular/Clinical Perfusion

Job Description

Summary:

The Program Director serves as the founding academic and administrative leader responsible for the design, approval, accreditation preparation, and launch of the University’s Cardiovascular/Clinical Perfusion program. Reporting to senior academic leadership, the Director will provide strategic vision, academic leadership, and operational oversight from initial program development through the successful enrollment and support of the inaugural cohort.

This position requires a highly motivated leader capable of advancing multiple workstreams simultaneously, including curriculum development, accreditation preparation, faculty and clinical partnership development, and student recruitment, in response to workforce demand and institutional priorities.

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the design, approval, accreditation preparation, and launch of the program on an accelerated but achievable timeline, working collaboratively across academic, clinical, and regulatory stakeholders. Expected milestones include:

• Within the First 3 Months
  • Finalization of program structure, curriculum framework, and admissions standards,
  • Securing institutional approvals and initiating required state review processes,
  • Establishment of initial clinical partnerships and advisory structures.
• Within 6 Months
  • Submission of accreditation application materials and self-study documentation,
  • Hiring of key faculty and clinical coordination personnel,
  • Completion of clinical affiliation agreements and simulation infrastructure planning,
  • Launch of student recruitment and admissions activities.
• Within 9 Months
  • Admission and onboarding of the inaugural student cohort,
  • Completion of accreditation site visit preparation, if applicable,
  • Finalization of course schedules, clinical rotations, and student support systems.
• Within 12 Months
  • Program launch with active enrollment of the inaugural cohort,
  • Ongoing engagement with accrediting bodies and implementation of continuous improvement processes,
  • Stabilization of academic and clinical operations in preparation for subsequent cohorts.

Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership and Program Development

• Design and implement a comprehensive curriculum that integrates didactic instruction, simulation-based learning, and supervised clinical education consistent with contemporary perfusion education standards,
• Establish program policies, assessment strategies, and continuous improvement processes,
• When appropriate, lead adjunct faculty recruitment, onboarding, development, and evaluation.

Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Serve as the primary lead for all internal, state, and specialized accreditation processes,
• In coordination with the Division of Institutional Effectiveness, prepare and submit materials for CAAHEP accreditation through the Accreditation Committee on Perfusion Education (AC-PE), including self-study documentation and site visit coordination,
• Ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation standards, institutional policies, and regulatory requirements.

Clinical Partnerships and Experiential Education

• Utilizing the University’s CORE system, develop and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with regional healthcare systems,
• Oversee clinical education, including preceptor engagement, evaluation processes, and student readiness,
• Ensure simulation and clinical resources support program outcomes and accreditation expectations,

Student Success, Recruitment, and Engagement

• In coordination with the Division of Enrollment Management, design admissions processes, recruitment strategies, and applicant evaluation,
• In coordination with the Division of Student Affairs, implement student orientation, campus support structures, professionalism standards, and certification-readiness initiatives,
• Represent the program to prospective students, clinical partners, and professional organizations.

Operations and Program Launch

• Offer insight to facilities planning, equipment acquisition, and operational logistics,
• Ensure scheduling, documentation systems, and operational readiness are in place for program launch,
• Lead program evaluation and refinement following inaugural cohort enrollment.

Other Duties:

• Teach in the program (as needed and aligned with expertise) and participate in curriculum review cycles,
• Support institutional accreditation and assessment processes as related to the program (reports, data requests, and quality initiatives),
• Represent the program at professional meetings and build visibility within the perfusion education community (e.g., relationships consistent with how AC-PE interfaces with sponsoring organizations),
• In coordination with the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research, support grant development and philanthropic/workforce partnership opportunities to advance simulation, scholarships, and clinical expansion,
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of program and university priorities.

Requirements:

Required Education:

• Master’s degree or doctorate in a related field (e.g., perfusion science, cardiovascular sciences, health sciences, education, or related).

Preferred Education:

• Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, MD/DO, or equivalent) and/or demonstrated graduate-level teaching and curriculum leadership.

Required Experience:

• Significant professional experience in cardiovascular/clinical perfusion and/or closely related cardiothoracic clinical environments,
• Demonstrated experience in academic program development (curriculum design, outcomes assessment, student progression policies),
• Experience building clinical partnerships and managing clinical education (preceptors, rotations, evaluations),
• Proven ability to lead compliance processes and prepare complex documentation for review/approval.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working with or leading CAAHEP-accredited allied health programs and/or direct experience preparing for CAAHEP/AC-PE accreditation review,
• Prior role as program director, assistant/associate program director, clinical coordinator, or comparable leadership role in perfusion education,
• Evidence of success with student outcomes and professional certification readiness initiatives (aligned with common perfusion program outcome expectations).

Skills & Abilities:

• Possess the ability to react calmly and effectively in dynamic situations,
• Handle multiple tasks and priorities at once while solving problems and thinking innovatively,
• Administrative, organizational, supervisory, and budget-management skills,
• Ability to travel with dependable transportation,
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends,
• Extended periods of sitting, standing, stair climbing, maneuvering objects of substantial weight,
• Must possess a person-focused philosophy.

Work Remotely - No

Work Location: Buffalo, NY

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Pay: $80,000 - $85,000 Annually

Additional Salary Information

The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.