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Program Director University of Utah Physician Assistant Program DOQ
University of UtahSalt Lake City, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 19 May 2026
About the role
Position Information
Position/Rank
Program Director University of Utah Physician Assistant Program DOQ
Department
00962 - Physician Asst. Ed. & Science
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Track
Non Tenure Track
New Position to Begin
As soon as filled
Details
The Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences (DPAES) at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine (SFESOM), University of Utah, seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Program Director of the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP). This career-line faculty position (rank and track determined based on qualifications) offers a unique opportunity to lead one of the nation’s premier PA programs within a thriving academic health system. Faculty benefit from close integration with University of Utah Health, providing rich opportunities for collaboration in education, clinical care, and innovative scholarship.
DPAES is a standalone division within SFESOM with a fully integrated tripartite mission encompassing educational excellence, clinical impact, and research innovation. The division is strategically positioned to lead transformation in healthcare workforce development, with a clear focus on expanding access, advancing health equity, and driving measurable improvements in patient and educational outcomes.
UPAP is one of the nation’s most respected physician assistant programs, consistently ranked among the top programs in the United States and currently ranked #2 among public programs. Established in 1970, the program has a longstanding track record of excellence in preparing practice-ready physician assistants, with a strong emphasis on primary care and service to medically underserved populations. UPAP has played a pivotal role in advancing the PA profession and continues to serve as a model for innovation, academic rigor, and mission-driven education.
Joining UPAP as Program Director offers the opportunity to lead a top-tier program with a strong national reputation, a deeply mission-driven culture, and a sustained commitment to shaping the future of the PA profession. This is a rare chance to influence the next generation of healthcare leaders while advancing innovation, equity, and excellence in physician assistant education.
Job Responsibilities:
This position oversees the comprehensive management of the Physician Assistant Program. Key responsibilities include curriculum design and continuous program evaluation and analysis, budget administration, coordination of the admissions process, and supervision of faculty, the medical director, and administrative staff. Additional duties include teaching, faculty recruitment, developing clinical rotation sites, and maintaining program accreditation.
The position reports to the Vice Chair of Education in the Division of Physician Assistant Education and Sciences at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Physician Assistant with current or emeritus certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
- Minimum of a master’s degree in a field related to physician assistant practice or the education of physician assistant students, doctorate preferred
- PA licensed or eligible for licensure in the State of Utah
- A minimum of three (3) years full-time experience in higher education at a Physician Assistant program, five (5) years and leadership experience preferred
- Strong interpersonal communication, organization, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
- Interest in areas that align with the Division mission
- A strong record of scholarship
- Proficiency with computer technology (i.e. word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, databases, SPSS, SAS, AI)
- Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, legal, and practice issues affecting higher education, clinical education, students, and the physician assistant profession
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Knowledgeable about ARC-PA accreditation standards and the self-study process
Program Director Responsibilities:
Effective leadership of the Physician Assistant Program, to include:
- Program planning, administration, organization and fiscal management
- Continuous programmatic review and analysis
- Adherence and completion of all ARC-PA required documents, standards and policies
- Ensuring that the Program meets all ARC
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