PLNU is a Christian liberal arts university in the evangelical, Wesleyan tradition, offering quality undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. We provide higher education in a vibrant Christian environment where minds are engaged and challenged, character is modeled and formed, and service is an expression of faith. PLNU is an institution that is committed to reflecting the rich diversity of God’s kingdom. We therefore encourage applications from culturally and academically diverse faculty of the highest caliber, skilled and/or demonstrating great potential in the practice of teaching and scholarship.
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Point Loma Nazarene University invites applications and nominations for the position of Physician Assistant Program Director. The College of Health Sciences seeks an experienced, mission-driven leader to guide its Department of Physician Assistant Education into its next chapter. The Physician Assistant program is one of several graduate degree programs the College has launched over the past five years in a dynamic period of growth, alongside Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, and Medical Sciences.
PLNU achieved a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate for its graduating class in 2025. The program was also recently awarded a 10-year accreditation by the ARC-PA. The Program Director will build on this strong foundation by sustaining accreditation, advancing a student-centered curriculum, and strengthening the clinical partnerships that prepare graduates to serve.
Salary
PLNU pays its faculty using a pay scale based on experience and academic rank. Faculty salaries using this scale for a 3-semester (12-month) appointment range from $138,866 to $174,295. The actual salary will be based on the experience, rank, and appointment term of the candidate selected to fill this position.
Benefits
We are pleased to offer attractive benefits and resources. This includes benefits such as health, dental, tuition benefits for employees and dependents, and competitive retirement matching. There also may be opportunities for university assistance with the cost of housing in Southern California. In addition, we have many opportunities to engage with our community including faculty chapel, weekly faculty lunches and a robust wellness program.
Job Status:
Full time
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Job Description:
The Position
The University seeks an individual capable of excellent leadership and vision, committed to significant involvement with students within and outside the classroom, and dedicated to student-centered, active learning. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences, the Program Director will provide strategic leadership and vision for the Department of Physician Assistant Education and convey a clear sense of purpose for the Department consistent with that of the University. The Program Director will lead, manage, and oversee all program functions in collaboration with the faculty and staff, including curriculum revision, clinical affiliations, course coordination and assessment, continuous program evaluation, fiscal management, and continuing accreditation by the ARC-PA. Successful candidates will be adept at developing and maintaining collaborative professional relationships with administrative departments, accrediting bodies, and institutional, clinical, and educational partners.
The Program Director will exhibit strong interpersonal, leadership, and organizational skills, recruiting, mentoring, and developing well-qualified faculty and staff, and communicating collaboratively in the performance of all duties. The Director will teach in areas of expertise as available and perform service activities that advance the program and the profession, including the recruitment, orientation, and retention of students.
This is a 12-month, full-time (1.0 FTE) faculty appointment, with both tenure-track and non-tenure-track options available.
All candidates must demonstrate a thorough commitment to Christian higher education, with a desire to work in a Christian university while supporting the institution's religious and educational goals. Each candidate will need to provide evidence of their Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, faculty agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant.
About the Physician Assistant Program
- Master of Science in Medicine (M.S.M.): 117 units over 28 months, delivered face-to-face at PLNU’s Balboa Regional Center in San Diego; cohorts of 30 growing to 34.
- Didactic and clinical phases, with a
- dedicated service month each year for local, national, or international medical experiences.
- ARC-PA Accreditation-Continued;
- first-time PANCE pass rates of 93% (2023), 97% (2024), and 100% (2025).
- Mission: to produce competent,
- professional clinicians who practice evidence-based medicine, demonstrate cultural sensitivity, and manifest their faith through service to the community.
Responsibilities
- Lead the program toward student-centered, active learning approaches to instruction.
- Oversee development and preparation for, and continuing assessment of, accreditation from the ARC-PA.
- Collaborate with the clinical phase faculty in the development and maintenance of clinical affiliation sites and agreements.
- Lead ongoing curricular revisions that maintain state-of-the-art programs of excellence.
- Provide day-to-day management of program matters, including faculty and staff hiring, evaluation, and development.
- Coordinate and assess courses offered.
- Provide continuous program evaluation, analysis, and improvement.
- Oversee departmental fiscal management.
- Teach in area(s) of expertise as available.
- Perform service activities that advance the program and the profession, including assisting in the recruitment, orientation, and retention of students.
- Convey a clear sense of purpose of the Department of Physician Assistant Education consistent with that of the University.
- Guide and collaborate with the program’s faculty and staff to set clear and realistic goals and a sound organizational plan to accomplish them.
- Communicate the Department’s priorities and needs (personnel, space, funding) to the Dean of the College of Health Sciences.
- Communicate the administration’s priorities and expectations to the Department’s faculty and staff.
- Ensure recruitment of well-qualified and promising faculty and professional staff.
- Involve PA faculty and staff appropriately in decisions and recommendations affecting the program, and inform them of decisions that affect them or the program.
- Be accessible to, and serve as a mentor for, PA faculty and staff.
- Work effectively with the Department’s faculty, University administrators, and academic support offices to ensure consistent and sound implementation of academic policies and procedures.
- Encourage effective working relationships with other departments and schools.
- Arrange an effective and equitable allocation of faculty responsibilities.
- Encourage and support faculty in obtaining extramural grants.
- Contribute to the Department’s image and reputation within the University community.
- Provide effective leadership and management of all facets of the program and department.
Qualifications
REQUIRED:
Education and Credentials:
- Graduate of an accredited physician assistant program.
- Minimum of a master’s degree; doctorate preferred.
- NCCPA certified or certification eligible.
- Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a Physician Assistant in California.
Experience:
- Prior experience with the development of a physician assistant program.
- Demonstrated experience in administration, management, and leadership.
- Demonstrated experience in leadership and a dedication to fostering diversity, equity, and belonging in an ethnically and culturally diverse community.
Philosophical and Personal:
- A thorough commitment to Christian higher education, with a desire to work in a Christian university while supporting the institution's religious and educational goals.
- Evidence of Christian commitment and active church involvement. In addition, faculty agree to live in agreement with PLNU’s Community Life Covenant.
PREFERRED:
- Prior experience as a program director.
- Evidence of a commitment to excellence in graduate teaching, with a preference for candidates who have demonstrated effectiveness in teaching students from diverse backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to work strategically and communicate effectively, particularly with an ethnically and culturally diverse Christian campus community (colleagues, students, and community members).
Application Process
All application materials for the position of Physician Assistant Program Director at Point Loma Nazarene University should be submitted through the PLNU Career page:
A complete application should include the following, submitted through the online job application:
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position
- Statement of Personal Faith
- Philosophy of Teaching in Christian Higher Education
- Provide names and contacts for 3 references, at least one professional contact who can speak to your teaching potential (references will only be contacted if you are advanced as a finalist candidate)
- Unofficial Transcripts for highest degree completed (can be provided at time of hire)
If you have questions about items for the application, please contact the Office of Human Resources at humanresources@pointloma.edu or the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Jeff Sullivan, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, at jeffsullivan@pointloma.edu.
Upon hire, the candidate must demonstrate evidence of licensure as a Physician Assistant in California and NCCPA certification.
Applications received by December 1, 2026, will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
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At PLNU, we believe in pursuing calling together. Deep and meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and staff is vital in nurturing our shared community and expressing God’s love. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates to join us in empowering our students to reach their greatest personal, spiritual and professional potential.
Point Loma Nazarene University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.
