This job description provides a comprehensive outline of the expectations for a successful Professor for the School of Medicine under ACCM accreditation at the PHSU location in the British Virgin Islands. This position is located in Tortola, BVI. Candidates must be able to relocate to the BVI no later than July 1, 2025. Relocation costs will be offered for this position. 

 

Ponce Health Sciences University is a premier institution dedicated to fostering academic excellence, innovative research, and compassionate healthcare education in Puerto Rico and the United States.  PHSU is launching a new PHSU university location in 2025 in the British Virgin Islands. Our mission is to develop skilled medical professionals who are well-prepared to meet the healthcare challenges of tomorrow.

 

ABOUT THE LOCATION: PHSU BVI is conveniently located in Parham Town on the island of Tortola. Visit our website to explore BVI and learn about life in this island community, comprised of 4 main islands and many smaller ones. Explore BVI - Ponce Health Sciences University (phsu.edu) 

 

Description:

 

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. Courses included in this job description are Gross Anatomy, Histology, Physiology, Microbiology, or Biochemistry.

 

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. Fulfillment of some academic administrative duties as the program grows and develops. Other instructional duties as assigned by Program Director or the Dean.   SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   (Teaching, Advising, Mentorship, and Evaluation)   Responsible for assigned lectures/conferences in courses in the MD, MS, and PhD Programs as assigned, with a substantial reduced load in the first year that progressively builds over subsequent years.    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.   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.   Evaluate students within assigned 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.   Participate in the institutional Student Advising Program, coordinated by the Office for Student Affairs.   Submit grades in a timely fashion, following the corresponding institutional policies.   (Administration, Participation, and Development)   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.    Participate in institutional committees as requested.  Committee participation and leadership are important considerations to be considered for faculty promotion.   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.   Engage in the professional development activities of the institution and of the program.   Meet with the Department Chair or Director of Ponce Research Institute 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
• Manage your own laboratory
• Mentoring/training of students in research
• Participate in Ponce Research Institute research committees
• Participate in and help catalyze research opportunities across the program
• Assist doctoral students in identifying and applying for research or training grants
• Serve as dissertation advisor for Ph.D. students in Biomedical Sciences (or other programs)
• 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 Microbiology. Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral). Experience interacting with graduate students

 

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.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and to use hands to type on computer, operate office equipment and handle books, files, documents, etc. Must be able to talk and hear to answer phones and when assisting others. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and to stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift objects weighing from 10 – 30 pounds and possibly up to 50 pounds. Close vision needed to use computer. Must have distance vision and depth perception for safety purposes.

 

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. The work environment in this position is characteristic of a normal office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate. At times, the position requirements will require the ability to produce results in a fast-paced environment. Independence and autonomy with little direct supervision is required. Professional mannerisms are expected as a representative of the university. This position requires leadership and the ability to accept performance feedback.

 

NOTE: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee who will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor. An employee is expected to assist and provide coverage for coworkers during peak periods, vacation days or sick days.

 

Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity.  Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability, or veteran status.  Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance its values consistent with the PHSU mission.  This policy applies to admission, students, employment, and access to and treatment in PHSU programs and activities.  This is a commitment made by the PHSU and is in accordance with federal, state and/or local laws and regulations.

 

Contact information for the position includes Sue Hemmer, Vice President of Human Resources at shemmer@tiberhealth.com 

 

For more information about PHSU BVI, please go to our website at: Ponce Health Sciences University (phsu.edu) 

 

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ponce Health Sciences University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and experiences.