Assistant Director of Healthcare Careers

Salary Grade

Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary range available for this position at the time of its posting. The salary range is between $49,257 and $62,311, depending on qualifications, experience, department budgets, and industry data.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

Job Description

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Director of Pre-Professional Advising and Career Outcomes, the Assistant Director of Healthcare Careers will collaborate with the Healthcare Careers team in the Career Center to develop a comprehensive health advising program for current undergraduates, select graduate students, and alumni of the undergraduate programs at Case Western Reserve University. The assistant director will serve as a source of information and advice about preparation for health professions (medicine, dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacy, public health, veterinary medicine, nursing, etc.) and support the Healthcare Career Interest Area. The assistant director will assist in the hiring and training of Healthcare Careers Graduate Assistant(s) and work closely with the Career Consulting Intern(s) for the healthcare Career Interest Area.

The assistant director will directly advise students in the healthcare career interest area and assist students with the career decision-making process from career exploration to post-graduate outcomes, including attending medical school or other professional health programs, entering the workforce and finding full-time employment, gap-year opportunities, and consulting. In this role, the assistant director of healthcare careers will design and deliver individual and group advising sessions aimed at students at various stages of their undergraduate work; prepare print and electronic advising resources; meet with individual students and alumni to provide guidance and respond to questions; and prepare composite letters of recommendation as requested by students applying to health-related graduate programs. This position will work closely with the admissions office of Case Western Reserve University and other health professions admissions offices at other institutions.

The assistant director of healthcare careers is also responsible for contributing to the assessment of the health professions career advising program and developing innovative initiatives to better prepare students for careers in the healthcare field and will support the organization of the Health Professions Career and Graduate School Fair. The assistant director of healthcare careers will partner with the Career Centers Employer Relations team on employer development and outreach for healthcare related opportunities, including internships, shadowing, full time jobs and gap-year opportunities. In addition, they will work closely with the Undergraduate Research Office and Center for Civic Engagement and Learning teams for research and community service opportunities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Design and deliver individual and group advising sessions aimed at students at various stages of their undergraduate and select graduate work. Execute and enhance a developmental series of advising sessions that address the preparation and concerns of students planning to explore, apply, enter, and advance in a health-related career, starting with sessions for prospective undergraduates and continuing with sessions for new students beginning their health profession curriculum and for students engaged in a health focused professional school application process. Advising services within the Career Interest Area of Healthcare will include major and career exploration discussions, information about research, clinical, and community service opportunities to explore and test their interests in health-related careers, internship and practicum search, resume and cover letter feedback, mock interviews, guidance for gap-year opportunities, and information about applying for jobs or advanced education. Advise individual students about the application process to professional schools in healthcare, including reviewing drafts of their essays and providing guidance about appropriate sources for letters of recommendation, and tips on preparing for the MCAT, DAT, and other standardized exams. Help refer students to Four Year Advisors and faculty advisors on campus and provide basic support for academic advising and course selection. Support students in handling uncertainty and disappointment, and redefining goals. Advise and support student organizations related to health professions. (40%)
• Develop and deliver programming aimed at introducing students to the range of career opportunities in healthcare, drawing on admissions officers, alumni, employers, and other professionals in these careers. Invite and host representatives of health profession schools and related programs and employers for presentations to students. Lead, organize, and execute annual signature Career Center program, Multiple Mini Interview Day. Create, compile, and maintain reference and resource materials about health professions, including information on medical school and other advanced programs, scholarships and funding sources for unpaid internships and graduate school applications, job and internship boards, industry trends, professional associations, and other relevant resources. Advise and support student organizations related to health careers. Support the Director of Pre-Professional Advising and Career Outcomes with the coordination and execution of a Health Professions Career and Graduate School Fair. (22%)
• Serve as lead advisor and writer for composite letter process, preparing composite letters of recommendation requested by students applying to health-related graduate/professional programs in medicine and dentistry. Contribute to regular updating and enhancement of the Medical School Application Process and Preparation Canvas course to support composite letter applicants. (20%)
• Build relationships with faculty and staff across campus, particularly departments that teach courses that form part of the curricula that lead to health-related graduate/professional programs, providing information about the expectations of health-related graduate/professional programs, our students success in the admissions processes, and areas of potential curricular reform. Participate in the training of faculty serving as academic advisors to share information relevant to advising students planning to attend health-related graduate/professional programs. Generate, analyze, and share data and reports about health profession admissions selection criteria and the acceptance rates of applicants from Case Western Reserve University to those programs and departments in collaboration with the director of pre-professional advising and career outcomes. (10%)

NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide information to the Undergraduate Admissions Office to help admissions officers respond to questions from prospective students and their families concerning preparation for health-related graduate/professional programs, participating in group sessions and admissions open houses, as requested. (5%)
• Develop professional relationships on a national level with admissions organizations related to health professions, as well as admissions officers of programs to which Case Western Reserve University students and alumni apply or should consider applying. (1%)
• Support large, medium, and small scale events at Career Center including career fairs, networking events, and other workshops and events. (1%)
• Perform other duties as assigned. (1%)

CONTACTS

Department: Daily contact with staff responsible for pre-professional advising for exchange of information, consultation, and decision-making.

University: Daily contact with colleagues at the Career Center as well as staff from other Division of Student Affairs Offices . Regular contact with the Undergraduate Admissions Office about programming for prospective students. Regular contact with the admissions officers of the Schools of Medicine, Dental Medicine, and the Graduate Studies. Regular contact with departments and faculty responsible for curricular programs that prepare students for medical school and other advanced educational programs in healthcare. Regular contact with the staff of the Career Center , the Undergraduate Research Office, and the Center for Community Engagement and Learning. Occasional contact with faculty serving as academic advisors to undergraduates to share information about preparation for medical school. Occasional contact with the Academic Support, Disability Resources, Counseling Services, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, members of the Residence Life and Greek Life staff, and other offices concerning individual student issues related to applying to medical schools and programming for student groups. Occasional contact with the Office of Student Affairs regarding disciplinary issues related to students applications to medical school. Occasional contact with the Office of Financial Aid for discussion of student concerns. Occasional contact with the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and the Office of the General Counsel about individual student matters.

External: On-going contact with healthcare industry employers, medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, physician assistant, nursing, public health and other healthcare focused schools and post-baccalaureate programs aimed at preparing students as candidates for professional schools. Regular contact with professional associations related to preparation for and admission to medical school. Regular consultation with colleagues in similar positions at other colleges and universities. Occasional contact with parents and/or family members of students or prospective students to answer questions about the admissions process to medical schools.

Students: Daily contact with undergraduates considering health-related careers. Regular contact with alumni seeking advice about applying to health-related graduate/professional programs. Regular contact with student organizations related to healthcare.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

The assistant director does not have supervision responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: 3 years of experience working in one of the following healthcare professions: dentistry, optometry, physical therapy, pharmacology, public health, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, or medicine; or advising students for health careers or admissions to healthcare focused institutions of higher education, or related student support areas within a four-year college or university environment.

Education: Masters degree required.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, accurate, and professional written materials.
• Strong presentation skills, with the ability to deliver clear, engaging, and professional presentations.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain accurate records, and support data collection, entry, and tracking processes
• Ability to follow established processes and handle confidential information with discretion
• Familiar with Google Workspace, Adobe, and Microsoft Office Suite, especially Adobe Acrobat, Google Docs, and Excel, with the ability to quickly learn new software programs such as Salesforce.
• Ability to apply independent judgment and decision-making skills to issues related to university policies and procedures.
• Proven success working in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to assimilate and communicate information to a variety of audiences.
• Willingness to learn and work with Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
• Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment. This position is eligible for the staff hybrid work program.

Hybrid Eligibility

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

EEO Statement

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Reasonable Accommodations

Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicants will be made on a case-by-case basis.

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