Academic Enrichment Specialist (College of Osteopathic Medicine)

Overview

*** This position is on-site in Memphis, TN ***

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Faculty, Staff, and Student Development, the Academic Enrichment Specialist will provide comprehensive individualized academic support to all students enrolled in the BUCOM Osteopathic Medicine program, including developing effective learning strategies and study techniques. The Academic Enrichment Specialist will introduce students to key research-based learning and study strategies that positively correlate with both academic and clinical performance. A preventive academic coaching model serves to empower learners to develop sustainable study habits that position them for lifelong learning.

In an effort to build a culture of preventive academic coaching, The Academic Enrichment Specialist works closely with the Office of Admissions, Office of Student Services, Office of Student Affairs, as well as preclinical and clinical curriculum stakeholders to ensure appropriate alignment of academic support services with students’ learning needs. Equally important, the Academic Enrichment Specialist collaborates with and provides oversight for BUCOM student-led peer teaching programs.

Job Responsibilities  

• Collaborate with faculty and staff in the Office of Medical Education (OME), the Office of Clinical Affairs (OCA), the Office of Assessment and Professional Development, and the Student Progress Committee (SPC to develop individualized educational and remediation plans, including individualized academic counseling for students to promote successful matriculation. Provides feedback and ongoing monitoring of students to and faculty.
• Work collaboratively with others in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and OME to design and implement academic skill-building workshops to improve medical student development of life-long learning skills in areas such as time management, critical reasoning, learning strategies, study skills, and test-taking strategies.
• Provides lectures and small group teaching to learners regarding strategies to optimize their academic/clinical performance.
• Provide medical education expertise for the development of institution-wide interventions, programs, and assessment models that optimize learner academic/clinical performance, including leaders in graduate medical education.
• Work collaboratively with faculty and staff in the OME, OCA, and the Assessment Office to improve learner assessment efforts.
• Coordinate efforts with other members of OME and OCA to support supplementary academic services that complement coursework including, but not limited to, comprehensive COMLEX USA Level 1and COMLEX Level 2CE preparation plans and workshops for medical students, and stress-reduction techniques during key periods of finals and preparation for COMLEX / USMLE exams.
• Assists in advising students with disabilities on applying for accommodations on COMLEX exams.
• Assist in developing and implementing small group-based skills building for students on various academic well-being issues that may arise as the students’ progress through medical school.
• Scores and interprets assessment results, and completes assessments of students’ learning and study skills, personality styles, and critical-thinking.
• Present papers or poster sessions or participating in a panel or discussion group at local, national or international professional conferences, colloquiums, seminars.
• Keep abreast of current literature and professional associations relevant to the area of expertise.
• Contribute to medical education efforts and research related to educational models that support student academic success and/or well-being and resiliency.
• Assist with the development and delivery of educational programs on student well-being and mental health support for faculty development.
• Contribute to the provision of learning opportunities that promote the achievement and progression of the learners they support.
• Conduct research that evaluates the delivery of educational programs and professional development related to student retention and/or student well-being and mental health support.
• Implement plans that support the school goals to attract and retain an academically talented and diverse student population.
• Oversee effective planning, delivery and evaluation of programs to support student academic success.
• Serve on University and COM Committees
• Performs other accountabilities as assigned or directed. 

Education Minimum Qualifications.

Masters or equivalent degree from an accredited institution of higher education in education, psychology, or field related to the duties/responsibilities of this position.

Experience Minimum Qualifications.

One year of experience as assistant, or its equivalent represented by successful practice in the appropriate field.

Experience in assisting students to identify their learning styles and developing their learning skills

Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students and faculty

Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a culturally sensitive manner with people from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Demonstrated ability with program development of academic support (examples could include, but are not limited to individual learning plans, advising, counseling, academic skills building, resiliency skills-building, growth mindset skills-building)

Evidence of effective teaching and remediation, especially with diverse learner populations, including those with different learning abilities.

Evidence of research and/or scholarly activity.

Demonstrated ability to collaboratively in resolving wide-ranging complex problems using creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative, and timely manner.

Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external groups, stakeholders, team leaders and members, and individuals; facilitate others in a collaborative, team-based environment.

Demonstrated ability to manage work priorities and projects.

Education Desired Qualifications 

Completion of a fellowship, advanced degree, or certification in medical or health professions education (i.e., M.Ed., MACM, MSEd, or similar) or coaching of medical learners EdD, PhDFamiliarity and/or experience with problem-based learning.

Experience Desired Qualifications 

Skilled in team-building and developing collaborative partnerships.

General experience with continuous quality improvement strategies.

Evidence of scholarly activity/research demonstrating successful learner outcomes.

Experience in working with programs that service indigenous, underrepresented and/or disadvantaged students.

Successful generation of extramural funding in topics related to medical education, learner support, or faculty support/resilience

Active participation in medical education-related continuous quality improvement strategies.

Evidence of scholarly activity/research demonstrating successful learner outcomes.

Experience in working with programs that service indigenous, underrepresented and/or disadvantaged 

Physical Requirements:

Work requires little or no physical effort.  Lifting or performing other work requiring light physical exertion (up to 30 pounds) is intermittent (not a routine part of the job) and secondary to the job.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed under basically normal working conditions as in a standard office environment.