Associate/Assistant Director, Genetic Counseling

The Associate/Assistant Director (AD) for the Genetic Counseling program will work closely with the Program Director (PD) on the development and implementation of a 21-month Master of Science degree in Genetic Counseling (MSGC) program at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU). The MSGC is housed in the College of Science and Health (COSH) and aims to expand genetic counselor capacity and diversity with a focus on the social determinants and redress of health disparities.

Reporting to the GC Program Director, the AD will assist with program administration, including accreditation standards and program requirements, curriculum design and delivery, strategic and financial planning, operating policies and procedures, and evaluation of student, faculty, and program outcomes. In addition, the candidate must teach and mentor students in specific courses using multiple delivery modes (on-line or hybrid, weekend instructional and support services, etc.); participate actively in local, state, and national professional organizations; contribute to the service mission of the community; and play an essential role in clinical training site agreements, engagement, and academic and administrative support.

The successful candidate will have a unique and exciting mandate to contribute to and further the University’s mission to improve access to genomic care and will work with the program and other CDU leaders and faculty to enhance student achievement and external recognition. An appreciation for an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning, with a commitment to training and working in medically underserved communities, especially desired.

This position can be part-time to full-time depending on candidate and is eligible for an academic appointment at a level commensurate with academic and professional credentials and experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor and maintain program compliance with accreditation standards and program policies and requirements.
• Collaborate with PD in communication as needed with ACGC about significant staffing, administrative, financial, and/or fieldwork training changes.
• Assist with the establishment and oversight of GC program policies and procedures at CDU.
• Collaborate with PD in design and deployment of the program’s strategic plan and operating budgets, including long-term planning to ensure program fiscal stability and sustainability.
• Assist with proposal development for the acquisition of extramural funding in support of program academic and administrative operations.
• Develop courses that align with accreditation standards and best practices in the field of Genetic Counseling and serve as lead instructor for MSGC courses in own areas of expertise.
• Work with the GC program and other CDU leadership, faculty, and support staff to ensure faculty and appropriate course materials are available and ready for instructional purposes.
• Manage the development and assessment of clinical training experiences that align with ACGC accreditation and related licensing board standards. This includes but is not limited to the following: manage the identification, recruitment, and operational oversight of clinical rotation sites for field-work; negotiation of clinical rotation schedules; timely field-work documentation; annual evaluation of field-work sites; creation and maintenance of supervisor and student handbooks; monitoring and evaluation of student practicum experiences.
• Serve on the admissions committee and support implementation and monitoring of the program's admissions process and related student recruitment activities.
• Assist with the design and implementation of program self-study activities, including concerning the articulation, alignment, and assessment of student learning outcomes.
• Support the establishment of metrics and monitor student success outcomes, concerning satisfactory academic progress and student retention, graduation, and licensure rates.
• Provide academic advising and assist with monitoring, evaluating, and remediating student performance.
• Assist with program faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and performance review activities.
• Assist with the development and oversight of other program evaluation processes in accordance with ACGC standards, including implementation of any resultant action and monitoring plans for improvement purposes.
• Receive student, faculty, and staff concerns/problems and in collaboration with the PD, refer individuals to appropriate resources, including counseling services as warranted.
• Manage confidential student files and records documenting all pertinent academic information within the university, upholding FERPA regulations.
• Respect HIPAA regulations when dealing with confidential patient files and records for purposes of fieldwork placement management or fieldwork rotation logbook cases.
• Participate in shared governance by attending program, college, and university faculty meetings and sitting on standing and ad hoc committees.
• Assist with program advisory board meeting administration, including collaboration with other program leadership for implementation of appropriate resulting recommendations.
• Maintain professional licensure with required CEUs and clinical practice hours.
• Engage in scholarly and community service activities and participate in professional association conferences pertinent to Genetic Counseling education and practice.
• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned by PD, college, or university leadership.

This list of essential job functions and other responsibilities represents those duties and responsibilities that are required of this position. However, the list is not to be considered all-inclusive. For example, a supervisor or director may assign other duties and other duties at alternate locations to meet the mission requirements of the University. The cooperation of all personnel is expected to carry out the mission.

EDUCATION:

• MS in Genetic Counseling from an ACGC accredited institution is required.
• Demonstrated evidence of CEU credits required by the American Board of Genetic Counseling or other related licensing board for re-certification.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Board certification in Genetic Counseling from the American Board of Genetic Counseling is required.
• Genetic counseling state licensure in current clinical practice state(s), if applicable, including but not limited to California.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a genetic counselor.
• General knowledge and experience with the leadership roles assigned.
• Administrative, teaching, and/or research experience.

SKILLS:

• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Computer literacy required and online teaching experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a team environment.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to/from affiliate clinical sites.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

COMPLEXITY:

• The ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasional stooping. Frequent standing. Constant walking, sitting, climbing, reaching high/low levels, finger movement, feeling, speaking clearly, hearing conversationally, and seeing far and near.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Occasionally required to work in confined spaces.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

• The mental demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Frequent variety of unrelated tasks. Constant calculating, interrupted work, a variety of interrelated tasks, and use of sustained concentration, reasoning, judgment, resourcefulness, analytical ability, and ingenuity.

Special Requirements:

• Must be committed to a culture of diversity, respect, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse community.
• Embrace the vision, mission, and values of the University and the unique role of faculty in achieving program, college, and institutional objectives.
• Commitment to performing extra-curricular responsibilities for the program, college, and University.

As a health professions institution of higher education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science seeks to protect the health and safety of the University community. As a condition of enrollment and employment, proof of the newest COVID-19 booster will be required for CDU students, faculty, and staff entry to the CDU campus.

For answers to questions regarding COVID-19 vaccinations or campus protocol, kindly visit the CDU Return to Campus website https://www.cdrewu.edu/Return-to-Campus or email the Campus Nursing Office at nurseofficer@cdrewu.edu.

• Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.

Salary Range: $110,000-$135,000

EEO Statement: Charles R. Drew University is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity. Applicants will be considered without regard to gender, race, age, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability or covered veteran status.

Fair Chance Statement: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will consider qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local “Fair Chance” laws.