This job description provides a general outline of duties and qualifications of the position. Other duties may be assigned, and the description may be changed at any time. It is not intended to limit normal change and growth nor prevent employees from working to ensure the success of our endeavors.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Associate Dean, Academics & Assessment, the Chair, Biomedical Sciences will be charged with oversight of the development, implementation and updating of the Biomedical Sciences Curriculum in all four years of the curriculum. 

This pivotal role will work in collaboration with the Associate Dean, Clinical Education and GME to oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the biomedical sciences curriculum, fostering research initiatives, and enhancing the educational experience of our osteopathic medical students across the education program. The Biomedical Sciences Chair will help develop critical teaching points in the Clinical Education phase of the Biomedical Sciences curriculum to include collaboration and assistance in training of partnering adjunct faculty and preceptors. As an integral part of the leadership team, the Chair will collaborate with faculty, administration, and stakeholders to promote innovative teaching practices, research initiatives to advance the mission of the school.

SPECIFIC/KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Mission Driven:  

• Provide day to day oversight of the entire department including faculty, staff, and any other persons providing delivery of the biomedical sciences curriculum in all four years to ensure mission aligned excellence of The Valley COM.
• Serve on committees and actively participate in service engagements as needed by The Valley COM.

Leadership:

• Manage the daily operations of the department, including budget oversight, resource allocation, and faculty and staff supervision.
• Provide mentorship, training opportunities, support annual goal setting and complete evaluations of all direct reports.
• Actively recruit, hire, mentor, and evaluate department faculty members, fostering a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, community and professional development.
• Identify and support department faculty and staff engagement on committees and service needs of The Valley COM

Curriculum Development & Instruction:

• Collaborate with department chairs and faculty on the design, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive integrated biomedical sciences curriculum across all four years..

Evaluation/Assessment:

• Collaborate with the Office of Academic Affairs and Assessment and the Curriculum Committee to assure effectiveness of the biomedical sciences curriculum, delivery methods, and outcomes, as well as curriculum revisions for ongoing quality improvement.

Professional Development:

• Provide appropriate training and professional development applicable to the department either directly or in collaboration with the Faculty and Staff Professional Development team.

Student Support Services & Mentorship:

• Mentor and support students in their academic and professional development.
• Support programs to enhance student learning and engagement, including advising, mentoring, and supporting student organizations.

Collaboration:

• Foster collaboration within the COM and extending to our clinical and community partners.

Research & Innovation:

• Promote and support research in the biomedical sciences, encouraging publication and dissemination of findings to advance the field.
• Participate in research in the biomedical sciences.

Accreditation, Quality and Compliance:

• Ensure program(s) meet all accreditation standards and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest quality of education and experience.

Strategic Planning and Development:

• Contribute to the strategic planning and vision of the COM, identifying opportunities for growth and innovation that promotes the mission of The Valley COM.

General:

• Other duties as assigned

WORKLOAD ASSIGNMENT

Teaching  20%

Service  20%

Research and Scholarship  20%

Administration 40%

QUALIFICATION(S):

• PhD in biomedical sciences discipline or other terminal degree and experience pertinent to the department
• Demonstrated experience as an education leader at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor
• Proven experience in developing and delivering a biomedical sciences curriculum at a COM,

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT:

It is the firm policy of THE VALLEY COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE not to discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, age or disabilities. It is a violation of COM policy to discriminate in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students, the provision of employment opportunities, benefits or privileges; to create discriminatory work conditions; or to use discriminatory evaluative standards in employment if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, age or disabilities. Further, it is a violation of COM Policy to discriminate in the selection of administrative personnel, faculty and staff, and students if the basis of that discriminatory treatment is, in whole or in part, genetic information or marital status in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students. Discrimination of this kind may also be strictly prohibited by a variety of federal, state and local laws.

Reviewed/Approved: February 2025