Director of Pre-Health Advising & Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program

Job Overview

Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Postbaccalaureate

Premedical Program

Beginning Fall 2024

POSITION SUMMARY. Loras College seeks a dynamic and collaborative educator to serve as the Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program. The Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program oversees the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program and specializes in advising undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students who are exploring the health professions and plan to apply to medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, public health, and other health professional programs. Duties include advising students on course planning and career/professional development, committee letter writing, advising students with MCAT/DAT/OAT/GRE-exam preparation, and guiding students through the health professional school application process (writing the personal statement, responding to secondary applications, preparing for interviews, etc.).

The Director also assists with student recruitment, develops and maintains relationships with admissions personnel at medical and health-related graduate schools, learns and disseminates information on changes to the MCAT exam and other health professional admission exams and admissions requirements, and keeps records of applicant outcomes. The Director meets with prospective undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students to provide information about Loras' pre-health and postbaccalaureate programs that prepare them for a future health professional school application. The Director organizes and leads the admissions committee for the postbaccalaureate program. In addition, the Director is the liaison for the articulation agreements Loras has established with partner institutions.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Director of Pre-Health Advising and the Postbaccalaureate Premedical Program will:

Advising

• Assist students in exploring health science careers and provide up to date resources.
• Council students on preparation and requirements for a variety of pre-health occupations (e.g. medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, physician assistant, etc.).
• Collaborate with faculty advisors on student advising and course selection.
• Advise and mentor students as they consider and prepare applications to health career-related professional schools and programs, including assisting students with application materials
• Help organize and facilitate experiential learning opportunities related to healthcare.
• Alert students and faculty to opportunities that will help students to be more informed or gain valuable experience
• Council students on MCAT test preparation and other pre-admission exams.
• Maintain contact with pre-health students through a variety of communication methods-individual meetings, group presentations, email communication, etc.
• Provide workshops to groups of students to help prepare them for a health professional application (writing the personal statement, navigating the AMCAS (PTCAS, CASPA, OTCAS) application, etc.).
• Serve as a resource for faculty in diverse majors who may be working with students interested in healthcare

Recruitment and Admissions

• Meet with prospective students and their parents to provide a clear path from Loras to their health profession of interest.
• Maintain information on the post-baccalaureate premedical program on the AMCAS website and various social media outlets.
• Organize and lead the Admissions Committee that reviews applications and makes admission decisions to the post-baccalaureate program.
• Be available for recruitment events and activities.
• Organize the new student orientation for the post-baccalaureate program.
• Provide relevant information on student outcomes to admissions and marketing.

Administration

• Monitor and document undergraduate student interest in and progress toward graduate health professional programs.
• Track outcomes of post-baccalaureate alumni and undergraduate students who applied to health professional programs.
• Communicate with faculty, campus partners, and other administrators as needed.

• Coordinates campus visits for healthcare related professional program representatives to meet with students and faculty.

Overall

• Teaches a May-term experiential learning class, typically EXP 140 Health Profession Experience: CNA
• Supports the mission and vision of the College and respects the College's Catholic tradition.
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including experience working with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Minimum of a master's degree from an accredited college/university.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years' experience advising or mentoring college students.

Oral and Written Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills, including the ability to craft comprehensive "committee letters" for students applying to a health professional program and give an effective presentation to a group.

Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Sharepoint, and Colleague, as well as the ability to learn other campus technology systems.

Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well in a collaborative team environment. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to establish strong working relationships with students and colleagues.

Other Requirements: Ability to maintain the integrity of confidential materials and student information.

COMPENSATION. Commensurate with qualifications, education and experience. Fringe benefits include medical/dental/life/disability insurance, flexible spending plan, TIAA-CREF retirement plan, and tuition remission program, membership at Wellness Center and Graber Sports Center/San Jose Pool, free admission to many college events and free off-street parking.

THE COLLEGE. Founded in 1839, Loras College is a Catholic, four-year, coeducational, liberal arts institution that includes pre-professional and career preparation and is dedicated to high academic, ethical and moral standards. The Loras College community embraces the core values of truth, respect, responsibility excellence, and service that define the way we work, behave, and relate with others. These values align with our college mission: Loras, as a Catholic liberal arts college, creates a community of active learners, reflective thinkers, ethical decision-makers and responsible contributors in diverse professional, social and religious roles. The student body consists of approximately 1,300 students, over 90 percent of whom are full-time undergraduates. The college is a wireless, laptop campus.

THE COMMUNITY. Loras College's 60-acre campus is located on one of Dubuque's highest bluffs, overlooking the Mississippi River at the junction of the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, about 3 hours west of Chicago. Dubuque's population is approximately 60,000 and its nineteenth century architecture is woven into limestone bluffs and provides a picturesque backdrop to the river landscape. Many residential and commercial areas have been designated as historical districts to preserve Dubuque's unique heritage. Its strong education base supports numerous cultural activities, and in addition, there are sporting events, shopping facilities, schools, and churches that are convenient to its residents. The climate has marked seasons with a comfortable summer, cool spring and fall, and a winter that encourages a variety of sports that have in recent years attracted a growing tourism industry.

APPLICATION DEADLINE. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. For more information contact Dr. Kate Parks, Associate Dean of the School of Science and Health, at Kathrin.Parks@loras.edu.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE. Applicants must go to: http://loras.iapplicants.com to apply. Please upload: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references. References will not be contacted without prior approval from the candidate. The finalist will need to pass a background check before receiving a written employment offer.

Loras College is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an educational and work environment that is inclusive, rich in diversity, and supportive of all students, faculty, staff. Individuals from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Please visit www.loras.edu for additional information about Loras College.