WHO WE ARE

Founded in 2024, Ponce Health Sciences University's fully accredited medical school in Tortola, British Virgin Islands is answering a need for more healthcare professionals by preparing students for medical jobs with a world-class, culturally competent education. Ponce Health Sciences University's history dates back to its founding in 1977 in Ponce, Puerto Rico. We've been expanding our prestigious health sciences offerings since. With campuses now in Ponce, San Juan, St. Louis, Missouri and Tortola, B.V.I., we are expanding our global network while staying committed to preparing students for real-world health careers and clinical practice. 

OUR MISSION AND VISION

At PHSU, our mission is to provide high-quality, innovative healthcare education and research. We aim to develop skilled, compassionate professionals ready to address global healthcare challenges and promote health equity. Our vision is to become a global leader in health sciences, transforming lives through education, groundbreaking research, and impactful community service.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This position provides instructional support for courses for the School of Medicine. The duties include, but are not limited to, the development of syllabi, course materials, assessment of student learning outcomes, as well as instructional responsibilities. University services are also expected.

 

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

  • Incorporating the mission of Ponce Health Sciences University into program and course learning objectives, focusing course experience on student learning using flipped classroom teaching methods.
  • Accountability to students and administration with respect to quality in education.
  • Incorporating current profession information into course learning experience.
  • Administer courses in a prepared and timely manner, meeting deadlines for course and student interactions. Maintain and exemplify professional conduct in course and student interactions.
  • Preparing an updated syllabus prior to course posting according to the standard PHSU format. All information (course learning objectives, reading assignments, testing, grading, etc.) contained in the syllabus must be clearly stated and not ambiguous. All administrative and course deadlines must be met.
  • Practice collegiality: Refraining from making pejorative statements regarding the university, fellow faculty or staff personnel in student interactions or course discussions.
  • Maintaining regular office hours.
  • Contributing to exams that have sound instructional value with accurately measured and well-defined objectives utilizing appropriate levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy. Evaluation should not be ambiguous and should appropriately represent the information presented in the course.
  • Establishing and maintaining a course atmosphere conducive to learning.
  • Comfortable and proficient in online course instruction.
  • Responsible to treat colleagues, staff, and students in a professional manner.
  • All courses should have a required course text or based on published science literature unless exempted by the administration.
  • Participation in faculty meetings, workshops and university ceremonies.
  • Accountable to report to the Program Course Director if he/she will be absent or unable to fulfill responsibilities.
  • Notifying appropriate personnel of damage to PHSU property. Should report problems that affect any aspect of the university to the program coordinator or appropriate department.
  • Read, understand and follow all Faculty and Employee Handbook information and policies.
  • Other instructional duties as assigned by Program Director or the Dean.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

(Teaching, Advising, Mentorship, and Evaluation)

 

  1. Responsible for assigned lectures/conferences in courses in the MD Program as assigned, with a substantial reduced load in the first year that progressively builds over subsequent years. 

 

  1. Other Didactic Activities: Availability for other didactic activities as deemed necessary and assigned by the Department/Program.  This includes the preparation and revision of lectures/conferences, participation in seminars and workshops, participation in small group activities such as Problem Based Learning, and other teaching activities such as long distance learning, with students from the MD, PhD, Master in Medical Sciences Program(s) at Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) and with students and residents from affiliated programs.

 

  1. Mentoring graduate students as assigned by the Department/Program Chair in the preparation of the required thesis and also to participate in mentoring committees for the evaluation of other students at their presentations.

 

  1. Evaluate students within asssigned program(s), including direct observation of their academic performance, preparing examinations, providing feedback, grading and reporting their performance in the various program requirements under your supervision.

 

  1. Participate in the institutional Student Advising Program, coordinated by the Office for Student Affairs.

 

  1. Submit grades in a timely fashion, following the corresponding institutional policies.

 

(Administration, Participation, and Development)

 

  1. Assist the Department/Program Chair or the corresponding Dean in administrative duties necessary for the satisfactory progress of the unit, such as participation in accreditation processes, design and evaluation of the curriculum and the development and monitoring of the programmatic strategic plan. 

 

  1. Participate in institutional committees as requested.  Committee participation and leadership are important considerations to be considered for faculty promotion.

 

  1. Participate in program and institutional level faculty meetings and faculty development activities. Active participation will be considered in your annual evaluations and is an essential element for advancement in rank, and for salary increases.

 

  1. Engage in the professional development activities of the institution and of the program.

 

  1. Meet with the Department Chair or Dean of Medicine BVI SOM  when needed to discuss issues related to responsibilities and work performance.

 

(Research)

 

Participate in scholarly and research activities as applicable to the needs of the institution:

  • Identify and submit grant proposals as PI, Co-PI, or as key personnel
  • Develop an independent research track
  • Mentoring/training of students in research
  • Participate in Ponce Research Institute research committees
  • Participate in and help catalyze research opportunities across the program
  • Design research projects or other scholarly activities
  • Publish in peer-reviewed journals and on other publications
  • Provide bi-annual certification of time and effort devoted to research activities
  • Participate in research-related professional societies

 

COMPETENCIES: To perform the job successfully, an individual must be dependable and have good inter-personal and communication/organization skills and the ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Listed below are the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required for this position, as well as the Physical Demands and Work Environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum of a doctorate degree as required in appropriate field. Doctoral Degree in a Biomedical Sciences (or related field) with additional academic and professional experience in Pharmacology and Biochemistry. Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral). Experience interacting with graduate students.

Candidates must have a valid passport, submit a police certificate from their home country, and complete a health examination to enter and work in the B.V.I. Work permits are valid for a period of one year. 

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have general knowledge of computers including word processing, PowerPoint, and spreadsheets. Knowledge of statistical software packages and student learning software.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Required as appropriate to degree possessed.

Benefits: Employees in the B.V.I. receive national health insurance through the island, are full covered by the university for international medical, dental, and life insurance, as well as emergency evacuation and liability coverage. Employees receive approximately 16 paid holidays, 3 weeks' vacation, and 12 sick days annually. Relocation expenses covered.