Principal Faculty of Physician Associate Practice

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education; Fort Smith (AR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A private health sciences institution in Fort Smith, Arkansas, seeks a dedicated Principal Faculty member for the Physician Assistant program. This role emphasizes clinical teaching and involvement with program administration, ensuring an exceptional educational experience for students. Ideal candidates have a Master's degree in a health-related field, Arkansas PA license, and NCCPA certification. This fully on-site position requires effective collaboration with faculty and staff, and a commitment to uphold high educational standards.

Qualifications

• Arkansas PA license or eligible.
• Current NCCPA certification status.
• Graduate of an accredited PA program.
• Master’s degree in a health-related field.
• Doctorate in a health-related field.
• Greater than 3 years of clinical experience.
• Higher education teaching experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, review, and revise the program's mission statement.
• Interview and select applicants for admission to the PA program.
• Provide student instruction in areas of expertise.
• Evaluate student performance.
• Assist in course design and evaluation.
• Coordinate clinical sites and end-of-rotation exams.
• Assist in accreditation documentation and meetings.
• Attend required program and institution meetings.

Skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Strong organizational skills

Privacy/confidentiality

Public speaking

Education

Master’s degree in a health-related field

Doctorate in a health-related field (preferred)

PA program graduate

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Arkansas Colleges of Health Education

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education (ACHE) is a private, non‑profit, graduate‑level health sciences institution located on over 500 acres in Fort Smith, Arkansas. ACHE’s service‑driven mission is to educate and train a diverse group of competent and compassionate healthcare professionals; to create health and research support facilities; and to provide healthy living environments to improve the lives of others. Founded in 2014, ACHE has experienced rapid growth and is poised to be a leader in healthcare education for years to come. ACHE is the only private institution in Arkansas dedicated solely to healthcare and wellness, and it maintains a strong commitment to the surrounding community.

About Fort Smith and the Arkansas River Valley

Fort Smith is a vibrant community of around 90,000, with a low cost of living and ample recreational opportunities. Located in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley at the foothills of the Ozark mountains, Fort Smith is nestled between the Ozark‑St. Francis and Ouachita National Forests. The region provides hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, hang gliding, whitewater rafting, and camping all within a short drive. In addition, the city supports a variety of cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, an award‑winning symphony, and two historic entertainment districts.

Location

This position is fully on‑site and requires a regular presence in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Remote or hybrid work is not available for this position.

Job Summary

The Principal Faculty role is central to the PA program’s mission, requiring a dedicated professional who brings a strong background in clinical practice or PA education. This position will work closely with the Program Director of PAP and the faculty team to uphold the high standards of our curriculum and ensure our students receive an exceptional educational experience. Key responsibilities include demonstrating excellence in teaching across both the didactic and clinical phases, actively engaging in meaningful scholarship, and providing dedicated service to the department, institution, and community. The Principal Faculty will also support the administrative functions of the program through participation in essential areas such as course development, student affairs, recruitment efforts, and alumni engagement initiatives. Effective collaboration with students, staff, administrators, and the Program Director of PAP is paramount to ensure the continuous operation, development, and maintenance of accreditation standards for the PA degree.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for developing, reviewing, and revising as necessary the program’s mission statement, goals, and competencies (A2.05a)
• Responsible for interviewing and selecting applicants for admission to the PA program (A2.05b)
• Provide student instruction in area(s) of expertise (A2.05c)
• Responsible for evaluating student performance (A2.05d)
• Responsible for programmatic academic counseling of students (A2.05e)
• Responsible for assuring the availability of remedial instruction for students (A2.05f)
• Participate in designing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating courses (A2.05g)
• Participate in the continuous evaluation of the program (A2.05h)
• Assist in the preparation and review of administrative reports and accreditation documents as requested and assigned
• Course Director for courses as assigned
• Instruction in Medical Practice Series as assigned
• Problem‑Based Learning/Team‑Based Learning facilitator as assigned
• Simulation instruction and curriculum design
• Teach or co‑teach Introduction to the Profession (if applicable)
• Physical Diagnosis series instructor
• Participate in Clinical Procedures course with skilled instruction
• Responsibility within Human Anatomy, Pathophysiology, and research course series, as applicable with education and training
• Assist the program with coordination, site visits, and maintenance of clinical sites
• Assist the program with end‑of‑rotation exams and "Call Back" days
• Participating faculty member with responsibility in student Capstone Project
• Attend all required program and institution‑mandated meetings
• Review instruments for student and faculty course evaluations
• Review the Student Handbook annually
• Be accessible to PA faculty and staff
• Work effectively with ACHE faculty, other ACHE administrators and academic support offices to ensure consistent and sound implementation of academic policies and procedures
• Contribute to the improvement of ACHE’s image and reputation within the educational community and beyond
• Perform service activities that advance the program and the profession, including assisting in the recruitment, selection of applicants for admission, orientation, and retention of students
• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director of Physician Associate Practice or their designee.

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Credentials

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Arkansas PA license or eligible
• Current NCCPA certification status
• Graduate of an accredited PA program
• Master’s degree in a health‑related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate in a health‑related field
• Greater than 3 years of clinical experience
• Higher education teaching experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate proficiency in computer skills, i.e. Microsoft Office.
• Display professionalism for the college in all communication and interaction.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy.
• Ability to prioritize and organize numerous and varied assignments.

Abilities and Competencies Essential to the Function of the Job

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to orally communicate effectively with others with strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels.
• Ability to understand oral and written information, using the English language, and organize thoughts and ideas into effective forms of communication.
• Ability to make decisions which range from moderate to a significant impact on the immediate work environment, as well as outside contributors.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of ACHE to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.
• Expertise in negotiation.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• May be exposed to short, intermittent, and/or prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing in performance of job duties.
• May be required to accomplish job duties using various types of equipment/supplies to include, but not limited to pens, pencils, calculators, computer keyboards, telephone, etc.
• May be required to transport oneself to other campus offices, conference rooms, and on occasion, to off‑campus sites to attend meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, etc.
• May require significant travel or work away from campus.
• Requires attendance at events representing ACHE both within as well as outside of the college setting.
• Frequently required to work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations.
• Frequently required to see for purposes of reading matter.
• Frequently required to hear and understand speech at normal levels.
• Occasionally required to lift items in a normal office environment.
• Frequently required to operate office and presentation equipment.

If you need assistance in the application process because of a disability, or any other reason, please contact Vicki Broadaway, Vice President of Human Resources, at 479.308.2287 or [e-mail].

Arkansas Colleges of Health Education is an equal opportunity employer. ACHE is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and does not discriminate with regard to applicants or employees with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations when necessary.