Professional Practice Assistant or Associate Professor of Veterinary Professional Skills Instruction

Overview

The Department of Veterinary Clinical and Life Sciences (VCLS) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Utah State University (USU) is seeking applicants for a FY 12-month, 0.75 -1.0 FTE (negotiable) Professional Practice Assistant or Associate Professor of Veterinary Professional Skills Instruction position (non-tenure track) with an assignment of 95% teaching and 5% service.

This candidate will play a pivotal role in introducing students to the knowledge, skills, attitudes, attributes, abilities, and behaviors (KSAAABs) tied to the development of their professional identity as future veterinarians. The candidate is expected to design, develop, and deliver hands-on professional skills-related courses in the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree curriculum that center around three programmatic learning outcomes for students: 1) personal and professional communication skills; 2) practice management and career development skills; and 3) personal and professional development skills. Course development is intended to support the spectrum of new graduate competencies that include veterinary-client-patient centered interactions, alternate career paths, human and financial resources, policy development, welfare and wellbeing, ethical reasoning, and other KSAAABs. The candidate is also expected to develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria to measure veterinary students’ professional skills integration and proficiency. This candidate will also contribute to other curriculum activities associated with their expertise.

Currently, the USU CVM participates in a “2+2” program with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and the broader Washington – Idaho – Montana – Utah (WIMU) Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine that provides instruction to 30 students in each class cohort. However, in 2022 the State of Utah approved the establishment of a full 4-year DVM degree program at USU with the goal of admitting its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025 and hosting a class of 80 veterinary students beginning in the fall of 2026. This position offers multiple opportunities for professional development in instruction, curriculum design, and innovative teaching methods. Applicants with an interest in the development of innovative teaching methods and resources are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

This position is eligible for excellent benefits, including paid holidays, up to 22 days of paid leave, up to 12 days of sick leave per year, a 50% undergraduate tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous retirement contribution. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2023-2024

Responsibilities

Position Responsibilities for Teaching:

• Design, develop, and deliver professional skills-related content and courses in the DVM degree curriculum.
• Develop and implement innovative teaching methodologies, assessment tools, and evaluation criteria to measure veterinary students’ knowledge, attitudes, attributes, and behaviors related to professional skills integration and proficiency.
• Contribute to developing the DVM degree curriculum and other curriculum activities associated with their expertise.

Position Responsibilities for Service:

• Contribute to the department, college, university, and profession through service.
• Serve on various committees within the department, college, or university.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• DVM or equivalent degree.
• Experience teaching professional skills to veterinary students or extensive experience working in a clinical setting.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Strong intra- and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a collaborative setting.

 To be considered for the rank of Professional Practice Associate Professor you must possess all the minimum qualifications plus:

• Demonstrated ability to design and successfully implement professional skills curricula in a DVM degree program.
• Demonstrated ability to publish refereed scientific/educational research.
• Demonstrated ability to acquire extramural funding and publish scholarship in peer-reviewed scientific outlets (for candidates seeking a research appointment)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Clinical experience as a veterinarian in a multi-clinician practice.
• Strong teaching and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in education.
• Dedication to promoting animal welfare and ethical veterinary practices.

Required