Academic Leader Searches

Nicole Campbell, Education Program Manager 1, Social Work
Jill Fitzgerald, Associate Clinical Professor, Pharmacy
Annette Maruca, Clinical Professor, Nursing
Nancy McMahon, Clinical Professor and Search Committee Chair, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences
Amanda Moreau, Clinical Instructor, Nursing
Bambi Mroz, Administrative Program Support 4, Office of Clinical Placement Coordination

INTRODUCTION

The Office of the Provost invites applications for the Director of the Office of Clinical Placement Coordination. The Office of Clinical Placement Coordination supports clinical placements for undergraduate, certificate, and graduate students across programs including Allied Health Sciences, Kinesiology, Nursing, Pharmacy, Psychological Sciences, Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, and Social Work as well as other clinical and/or field placements of UConn students. The Office of Clinical Placement Coordination works collaboratively with faculty, program directors, and students so that students are prepared for their clinical and/or field placements consistent with legal, course, and accreditation requirements as well as the mission of the school and program.

The Office of Clinical Placement Coordination staff includes two FTEs of Clinical Placement Compliance Specialists (three individuals) and one FTE Senior Contracts Specialist (one person). The Office guides students and faculty through their compliance requirements; manages affiliation, memoranda of understanding, and contract agreements for placements; confidentially assists students to resolve background checks and drug screen flags; and liaises with American Databank (third party compliance vendor), the UConn Office of General Counsel, clinical agencies, and field placement sites.

Reporting to the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, the faculty director provides oversight and leadership for the Office, implements plans and objectives for the Office, develops and communicates clearly defined workflows and procedures, and ensures compliance for all UConn student clinical placement arrangements. The Clinical Placement Advisory Board provides advice and support to the director and staff in reviewing policies and procedures and advocating for University and program issues requiring discussion and resolution. The Staff Implementation Council provides input into procedures and issues experienced during clinical and/or field placements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement effective and innovative plans and objectives for the Office
• Supervise day-to-day department operations, including review of process mapping and communication of defined procedures to designated representatives in each program in scope.
• Annually review departmental administrative policies, procedures, and workflow for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Maintain consistent and transparent communication with impacted departments and schools/colleges as requirements for compliance change or as contracts are revised.
• Serve as the primary administrator for the clinical placement database. Manage the University’s contracts and relationship with systems/software that facilitate student clinical placement, such as American DataBank, CoreElms, etc.
• Maintain compliance across all UConn clinical placement offerings by liaising with external entities to understand regulations and interpreting and reviewing internal policies to improve outcomes.
• Develop and maintain university policy that supports student clinical placement coordination and compliance with university standards.
• Regularly assess and report progress in meeting defined office objectives with the Senior Vice Provost.
• Monitor the departmental budget and approve expenditures. Implement and monitor bookkeeping and fiscal procedures for the department.
• Serve as primary supervisor for administrative staff, resolve personnel and workforce concerns, and provide regular feedback and evaluation of performance.
• Serve as chair of the Advisory Board; Review and implement advisory recommendations as appropriate.
• Serve as case manager for clinical compliance cases in regard to background checks and drug screens.
• Devise, modify, and/or supervise the maintenance and coordination of complex filing systems, records, and mailings.
• Oversee university-wide meetings as needed and represent the Vice Provost on matters pertaining to student clinical placements where appropriate.
• Prepare comprehensive analyses and recommendations for administrative and executive leadership decision-making.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.  A current academic appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor (tenure track, Clinical, In-Residence, Extension) in one of UConn’s schools and colleges.
2.  Demonstrable experience applying sound judgment and political acumen in the administration of an interdisciplinary program or initiative including an ability to manage change, resolve conflict, and build consensus.
3.  Background and experience pertinent to the unique programs and opportunities for clinical placements in a higher education setting, including a clear understanding of the academic vision at UConn and a demonstrated record of accomplishments in creating, promoting, and advancing initiatives.
4.  Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to develop, engage, and maintain constructive and professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, clinical site representatives, and other individuals and organizations.
5.  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in a diverse organization. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to communicate needs, plans, and programs effectively.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1.  At least 3 years of administrative experience in academia, implementing initiatives and demonstrating successful collaborative leadership and consensus building in the completion of projects or initiatives that welcome diverse perspectives.
2.  Demonstrated business acumen in allocating resources and managing budgets; prioritizing and balancing the needs of administrative professionals, faculty, students, advisory boards, external partners, and other stakeholders.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 10-month faculty administrator appointment with a three-year, renewable term open to current UConn employees. It is expected that 50% of effort will be devoted to Director duties. The Director will retain their faculty position and half their ordinary teaching, research, and service obligations for the duration of the appointment. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

To apply, please submit the following application materials online, at this link.

• A cover letter, articulating interest and qualifications for this position in line with the duties and responsibilities outlined above. The cover letter should include a robust statement on the candidate's vision for clinical placements at UConn and examples of their leadership capacity to execute that vision.
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for 3-4 professional references.

Evaluation of applicants will begin February 16, 2022. For more information regarding the Office of Clinical Placement Coordination please visit the Department website at https://ocpc.office.uconn.edu/.