Associate Dean for Clinical Education

Job Overview

The University of Dubuque is a growing faith-based University that is seeking an Associate Dean for Clinical Education for the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

Position Summary:

The Associate Dean for Clinical Education provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the clinical curriculum (Years 3-4) of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (proposed, applicant seeking accreditation). The Associate Dean builds and sustains a high-quality network of clinical training sites, ensures consistent and fair educational experiences across clerkships and rotations, and leads continuous quality improvement for the clinical learning environment. The role ensures compliance with applicable accreditation and regulatory expectations (e.g., COCA standards, NBOME/COMLEX-related competencies), and collaborates with faculty, staff, and clinical partners to advance the College's mission to serve rural and underserved populations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Direct the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the clinical (Years 3-4) curriculum, ensuring alignment with program objectives and accreditation standards
• Partner with clerkship directors to ensure clear learning objectives, consistent expectations, and clinically relevant instruction
• Support integration of clinical education with preclinical foundations, including readiness activities and transition-to-clerkships programming
• Promote effective educational methods in the clinical years (e.g., structured bedside teaching, simulation-supported skills, interprofessional learning) as appropriate
• Recruit, evaluate, and sustain high-quality clinical training sites across a network of hospitals, clinics, and community health centers
• Negotiate and maintain affiliation agreements and related site documentation to ensure clarity of roles, expectations, and compliance
• Conduct regular site visits and relationship check-ins to ensure strong learning environments, preceptor engagement, and student support
• Develop site capacity strategies that support the College's mission and mitigate partner concentration risk
• Oversee scheduling, rotation assignment processes, and operational workflows for clerkships and electives
• Ensure timely onboarding, orientation, and communication to students and sites regarding expectations, policies, and logistics
• Establish and maintain systems for monitoring student progress, professionalism, safety, and well-being in the clinical environment
• Partner with Student Affairs and other leaders to support remediation pathways and individualized learning plans when needed
• Oversee evaluation and assessment systems for clinical courses, clerkships, and rotations, ensuring validity, fairness, and consistency across sites
• Use performance data (including rotation evaluations and relevant exam outcomes) to guide quality improvement and targeted interventions
• Establish processes for preceptor and site feedback, including development plans where needed
• Ensure documentation and reporting readiness for accreditation reviews, including systematic tracking of outcomes and corrective actions
• Recommend and support clinical faculty and preceptors for appointment and ongoing engagement
• Provide faculty/preceptor development resources in teaching, assessment, feedback, professionalism, and learner support
• Foster a collaborative culture of clinical teaching excellence across the clinical network
• Provide leadership for the Office of Clinical Education, including supervision of staff and relevant leaders (e.g., assistant or regional deans, as applicable)
• Develop and manage budgets and operational plans that support clinical education quality and growth
• Collaborate with COM and University leadership to align clinical education strategy with institutional priorities
• Represent the College in regional and national forums related to clinical education and workforce partnerships
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the University's Mission

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills
• Commitment to academic excellence, professionalism, and service to rural and underserved communities
• Ability to build partnerships, lead multi-site operations, and deliver consistent educational quality
• Experience developing distributed clinical education networks and negotiating affiliation agreements
• Experience implementing competency-based assessments and standardized evaluation processes across multiple sites
• Familiarity with simulation-supported clinical skills development and interprofessional education

Qualifications:

• Medical degree (D.O. or M.D.) with board certification in a clinical specialty
• Experience managing budgets and leading multi-site educational operations preferred
• Knowledge of accreditation expectations and continuous compliance practices related to clinical education (e.g., COCA standards).
• Leadership experience in undergraduate clinical medical education (e.g., Clerkship Director, Director of Clinical Education, Associate/Assistant Dean, or equivalent)
• Evidence of scholarship or innovation in medical education, healthcare leadership, or workforce development preferred

To apply with a growing faith-based University for the Associate Dean for Clinical Education for the John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine position, please submit a cover letter, resume, three professional references, and UD employment application, located on our website, to HR@dbq.edu or to the Director of Human Resources, at the University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001.

Affirmation Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For more information regarding the Jeanne Clery Act, please go to https://www.dbq.edu/SafetySecurity/JeanneCleryAct/