Staff Specialist

Duke PA; Durham (NC); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits

Professional development

Inclusive workplace

Wellness programs

Job summary

Duke University School of Medicine, Duke Physician Assistant Program in Durham, NC, seeks a Preclinical Staff Specialist to ensure the seamless delivery of the preclinical curriculum. You will collaborate with faculty, staff, and external instructors in a collaborative academic environment focused on excellence and student success.

You will handle administrative duties, course materials, scheduling, and accreditation support while delivering outstanding customer service to students and faculty.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two to three years of independent office/academic/healthcare/education experience.
• Experience with learning management systems and educational technologies preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary administrative support for assigned preclinical courses.
• Create and manage Canvas course sites and educational materials.
• Coordinate instructor and guest lecturer schedules and communications.
• Support access to course materials for guest instructors.
• Process instructor payments and maintain instructional records.
• Support accreditation requirements with faculty information and participation tracking.
• Prepare classrooms and labs for educational activities and scheduling.
• Assist with student group assignments and lab scheduling.
• Monitor supplies and initiate purchasing as needed.
• Attend curriculum and team meetings to improve workflow.
• Deliver excellent customer service to students, faculty, and external stakeholders.
• Support scheduling to maximize efficiency across the curriculum.
• Proctor examinations and coordinate accommodations as approved.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Customer service

Time management

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Tech literacy

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Canvas

Qualtrics

Panopto

Examplify

Microsoft Teams

SharePoint

Job description

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Be You. Be Bold. Choose Duke.

Preclinical Staff Specialist

Duke Physician Assistant Program | Duke University School of Medicine | Durham, NC

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Preclinical Staff Specialist, you will play a critical role in supporting the educational experience of future Physician Assistants by ensuring the seamless delivery of the preclinical curriculum. You will partner with faculty, staff, students, and external instructors in a collaborative academic environment dedicated to excellence, innovation, and student success.

As part of the Duke University School of Medicine, you will join a mission-driven community committed to advancing health, education, and discovery while fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.

Be Bold.

The Preclinical Staff Specialist serves as a key operational partner supporting the day-to-day administration of the Duke Physician Assistant Program’s preclinical curriculum. This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, customer service excellence, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic academic environment.

What You’ll Do

Support the Preclinical Curriculum

• Serve as the primary administrative support resource for assigned preclinical courses.
• Create and manage Canvas course sites, educational materials, assessments, remediation assignments, and learning resources.
• Coordinate instructor, guest lecturer, and facilitator schedules and communications.
• Welcome and support guest instructors and facilitate access to course materials.
• Process instructor payments and maintain faculty instructional records.
• Track faculty participation and personnel information to support accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate classroom, laboratory, and breakout room setup for educational activities.
• Manage student group assignments and scheduling for labs and small-group learning sessions.
• Monitor instructional, laboratory, and office supply inventories and initiate purchasing requests as needed.
• Attend curriculum and preclinical team meetings to support communication and workflow efficiency.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to students, faculty, and external stakeholders.

Coordinate Academic Scheduling

• Partner with the Preclinical Student Development Coordinator and faculty to maintain the preclinical academic calendar.
• Support scheduling efforts to maximize efficiency, reduce conflicts, and align educational activities across the curriculum.

Support Program Operations

• Proctor examinations and coordinate implementation of approved student testing accommodations.
• Participate on departmental and program committees as assigned.
• Provide front-desk and telephone coverage as needed.
• Support program-sponsored events, ceremonies, and special initiatives including:
• Student Orientation
• White Coat Ceremony
• Graduation Activities
• Student Development Programs
• Other departmental events and projects

Contribute to a High-Performing Team

• Exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Anticipate operational needs and proactively identify solutions.
• Successfully manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Adapt to changing priorities and program requirements with professionalism and flexibility.

Minimum Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Associate’s degree OR an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Two to three years of experience working independently in an office, academic, healthcare, or educational environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting academic programs, higher education, healthcare education, or professional training environments.
• Experience using learning management systems and educational technologies.
• Experience coordinating events, schedules, and multiple stakeholder communications.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and administrative abilities.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proven ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines effectively.
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly.

Preferred Technology Experience

• Canvas
• Qualtrics
• Panopto
• Examplify
• Microsoft Teams
• SharePoint

Work Schedule & Location

• Standard schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.
• Occasional early mornings, evenings, and weekends may be required to support educational programming and special events.
• Hybrid work arrangement available with up to two remote workdays per week, based on operational needs and leadership approval.
• Regular on-site presence required at the Duke Physician Assistant Program located in Durham, North Carolina.

Choose Duke.

Why Duke?

Established in 1930, the Duke University School of Medicine is consistently ranked among the nation’s leading medical schools and is recognized for excellence in education, research, and patient care. As part of Duke Health, you’ll join a collaborative community of faculty, researchers, clinicians, students, and staff working together to improve health locally and globally.

At Duke, You’ll Find

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• An inclusive and supportive work environment
• Access to world-class healthcare and wellness programs
• A mission-driven culture focused on innovation and impact

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $21.20 to USD $31.24. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual’s age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).