Physician Assistant Program Director

Location: Oneonta, NY Category: Faculty Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Tue May 19 2026 Job Description:

The School of Sciences at SUNY Oneonta is seeking a Physician Assistant (PA) Program Director to lead the development and implementation of its new Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) program. This is a unique opportunity for a visionary and dynamic leader to establish and shape a new PA program from the ground up while building a lasting impact within the university and broader community.

This position offers a primarily academic work environment with clinical and community engagement. The majority of responsibilities are administrative and leadership-focused (approximately 50%), complemented by teaching and service (30%) and clinical practice (20%), with the expectation of maintaining clinical currency. This is a 12-month appointment, with occasional travel required for conferences, clinical site development, and accreditation activities, as well as extended hours during key periods.

In this role, the Director will engage in teaching, clinical care activities, and university and public service, while ensuring compliance with SUNY and NYSED requirements and ARC-PA accreditation standards. The successful candidate will qualify for appointment as a clinical faculty member and will play a critical role in building a high-quality, student-centered program that prepares future PAs to serve diverse communities with excellence and compassion.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Program Leadership and Administration

• Providing strategic and operational leadership for the PA program.

• Supervising faculty and staff, including the medical director.

• Overseeing program operations, budgeting, and alignment with institutional goals.

Curriculum Development and Assessment

• Developing and implementing a rigorous, innovative, and outcomes-based curriculum.

• Integrating simulation and interprofessional education.

• Establishing policies for admissions, progression, and graduation.

Accreditation and Compliance

• Guiding and managing approval process through SUNY and NYSED.

• Leading ARC-PA accreditation processes and ensuring ongoing compliance.

• Preparing accreditation documentation and remaining informed on standards.

Faculty and Staff Recruitment and Development

• Recruiting qualified, diverse faculty and staff.

• Supervising and mentoring principal faculty, instructional faculty, and program staff.

• Fostering a collaborative, inclusive academic culture.

• Encouraging scholarly activity while not requiring it as the primary driver for promotion or advancement.

Student Recruitment and Success

• Directing the admissions process to attract a qualified and diverse student body.

• Supporting student academic advising, mentoring, and wellness.

• Teaching in areas of expertise.

Community Engagement and Advocacy

• Building partnerships with Bassett Healthcare Network and with other clinical affiliates and healthcare organizations.

• Representing and advocating for the program locally and nationally.

• Seeking philanthropic and grant support.

Salary: $130,000 - $145,000 commensurate with experience. SUNY Oneonta is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer. Information on SUNY's comprehensive benefits offerings can be found at https://www.suny.edu/benefits. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Graduate of an ARC-PA-accredited PA program.

• Current NCCPA certification.

• Eligible for or currently licensed as a PA in New York State.

• At least three years of clinical experience as a PA.

• Minimum of two years of academic experience in a PA or healthcare-related program.

Preferred:

• Doctoral degree (e.g., DMSc, DHSc, PhD, EdD, MD, DO).

• Excellent communication and organizational abilities.

• Over three years of academic leadership or teaching in PA or health professions education.

• Knowledge of rural/underserved healthcare delivery.

• Ability to build and sustain clinical and community partnerships.

• Familiarity with ARC-PA standards and program development.

• Experience with state or federal grants (e.g., HRSA, SAMHSA).

• Strong leadership, team-building, and strategic planning skills.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Additional Information:

SUNY Oneonta enrolls about 5,500 students who pursue bachelor's or master's degrees or certificates in one of 70-plus academic programs. Known as an exemplary residential campus that values inclusion, service and sustainability, SUNY Oneonta is a nurturing community where students grow intellectually, thrive socially, and live purposefully.

The university is located in the City of Oneonta, nestled in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains about a four-hour drive from New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. With a population just shy of 14,000, Oneonta is one of the 20 Most Picturesque Small Towns in America, according to Microsoft News. The natural beauty of the region is breathtaking year-round. Each season offers outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, boating, swimming, and skiing. Employees give SUNY Oneonta high marks for work/life balance, management, and culture. The university's indeed.com rating is 4.4, with one recent review noting that the people are what make SUNY Oneonta so special.

SUNY Oneonta values a diverse university community. Please visit our website on diversity at: https://suny.oneonta.edu/diversity. Moreover, the university is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. "At SUNY Oneonta, we believe that diversity is an asset and a source of strength that energizes our collective growth and innovation." - President Alberto Cardelle.