Assistant Professor-Basic Sciences

JOB OBJECTIVES:  Consistent with Parker University’s goal to be a renowned and selective Doctor of Chiropractic program, as well as its vision and mission, develop and deliver learning activities that cultivate the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors of a qualified, ethical Doctor of Chiropractic.  As a program accredited through the Council on Chiropractic Education, Parker University College of Chiropractic prepares its graduates to practice as primary care chiropractic physicians and to lead in the field of chiropractic wellness. 

The Department of Basic Sciences provides the foundational information for the future practice of the Doctor of Chiropractic and prepares the students for Part 1 NBCE exams.  The faculty should be able to provide instruction in any of the disciplines in the Basic Sciences and the ability to be cross-trained in more than one area would be preferred.  Experience in facilitating active learning and critical thinking activities in the classroom are required. 

Full-time faculty members must be available to teach when the Doctor of Chiropractic program is offered, which is generally Monday through Friday from 8 – 5 p.m.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:  Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Course Management:  Faculty members are responsible to design, deliver and manage their course in accordance with the guidance provided to them by their direct supervisor.  This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Prepare and adhere to a syllabus in Parker’s required format.
• Clearly communicate course requirements, means of evaluation, deadlines, and policies to students.
• Hold classes and laboratories as scheduled; take attendance and submit it timely.
• Develop high-quality means of evaluating student learning outcomes, and apply them fairly and consistently in accordance with Parker policies, as well as methods and timelines set forth in the syllabus.
• Submit final grades and required course documentation timely.
• Follow Parker policies and procedures in all elements of course management.

Student Interaction:  Faculty members generally have more direct contact with students than any other institutional employee, and are responsible to manage that contact consistent with the highest ethical and professional standards. 

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.
• Respond timely to student e-mails and voicemails.
• Maintain required office hours to provide additional academic support to students, and go over examinations and other graded work.
• Fairly and consistently apply Parker academic and student conduct policies.

Curricular and Programmatic Management/Improvement:  The faculty, within the framework provided by programmatic accreditation standards and institutional vision and mission, has responsibility for curricular maintenance and improvement.

• Assist in vertical and horizontal integration of curriculum.
• Participate in the Quality Enhancement Project, OSCE exams, and other activities designed to evaluate student learning outcomes.
• Contribute to maintenance and/or improvement of programmatic outcomes such as National Board scores, Student Satisfaction Surveys, Graduate Exit Surveys, etc.

Institutional Citizenship:  Faculty members are part of the overall institutional team, and are expected to not only contribute to the success of their individual courses and/or program but also to the success of the University as a whole.

• Engage with all Parker stakeholders in accordance with Parker values, policies and procedures. 
• Respond timely to requests from direct supervisor, as well as other University offices.
• Attend and participate in University events, including scheduled faculty meetings and three DC commencements per year.
• Engage in ongoing professional development in discipline(s) taught and educational methods.
• Contribute scholarly works.
• Participate in service activities.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION/EXPERTISE:

• Basic Sciences Department: Ph.D. preferred, D.C., D.O., M.D., or other earned doctorate degree.  Minimum of M.A./M.S. degree required.  At least 18 graduate hours required in the discipline.
• All faculty in the Academic Center of the DCP: must provide the following
  1. Evidence of ability as an effective teacher, to include use of active learning approaches.
  2. Evidence of the interest in and ability to engage in research, scholarly and/or creative activity.
  3. Evidence of ability to provide service to the institution and the community.

JOB REQUIREMENTS/SKILLS:

• Professional demeanor
• Professional communication skills – both written and verbal
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
• Ability to effectively utilize software applications common in higher education environments, such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Learning Management System

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to conduct normal classroom, laboratory and or online courses.
• Visual acuity to use a keyboard and view a computer terminal.  
• May require ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.