University of Colorado School of Medicine
Assistant Dean, Office of Community-Based Medical Education
Position Description
Under the direction of the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, the Assistant Dean for
Community-Based Medical Education (CBME) will develop and lead a variety of activities and
programs designed to support, strengthen and celebrate the work of the volunteer faculty of the
University of Colorado School of Medicine. The Assistant Dean for CBME will develop and
oversee a series of coordinated programs to: a) enhance the recruitment and retention of
volunteer clinical faculty members; b) strengthen preceptor development, through conferences,
workshops, on-line teaching modules and other mechanisms; c) communicate effectively with
volunteer faculty members, through written and electronic channels, as well as through periodic
visits to sites of practice; d) develop “packages” of benefits that can be customized to meet
preceptors’ needs; e) improve and streamline the processes for appointments and promotions;
and f) ensure that volunteer faculty members receive the school-wide and public recognition that
they deserve. The Assistant Dean will work with, and receive guidance from, the Associate
Dean for Rural Health and the Assistant Dean for Lifelong Learning/Director, Academy of
Medical Educators. The Assistant Dean for CBME will also work closely with curriculum
leaders, department chairs and administrators, volunteer preceptors, rural and urban community
leaders, alumni, medical society representatives and other internal and external stakeholders in
order to accomplish these goals.
Examples of Work Performed
The Assistant Dean for Community-Based Medical Education in this 0.3 FTE position will:
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Develop and direct the new Office of Community-Based Medical Education.
Support the clinical departments of the SOM (where the volunteer faculty appointments are
based), in order to enhance administrative efficiency, streamline appointments and
promotions, strengthen communication with community-based preceptors and share best
practices.
Work with urban and rural community representatives, leaders of the Colorado Medical
Society and component and specialty societies and others in a consistent marketing and
outreach effort aimed at recruitment of new clinicians to the clinical faculty.
Collaborate with medical education leaders in the MD, PT and PA programs to develop and
promote new teaching opportunities for volunteer faculty members across the
undergraduate and graduate medical curricula.
Communicate regularly and effectively with volunteer faculty members, on such topics as
the appointment and promotions process, credentialing, grand rounds and other educational
events and teaching opportunities across the SOM curriculum.
Collaborate with AHEC Centers throughout Colorado, in order to facilitate practice and
faculty engagement and coordinate travel and site visits.
Work closely with the Office of Faculty Affairs to develop a “common application” for clinical
faculty appointments and a central “one-call” service for initiating and tracking the
recruitment, appointment and promotion of volunteer clinical faculty.
Develop and implement a benefits package for volunteer clinical faculty that can be
customized to meet preceptors’ needs. Important elements may include educational
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conferences, teaching consultations, access to library resources, awards and public
recognition, on-campus parking, CME program discounts and other benefits.
In collaboration with the Senior Associate Dean for Education, the Director of the Academy
of Medical Educators and the Director of Educational Evaluation, develop comprehensive
educational support resources, including timely performance feedback to preceptors, skill
building in teaching and student evaluation, preceptor development conferences, and
workshops, and online teaching modules and tutorials to support teaching in clinical
settings.
Work with the Associate Dean for Clinical Outreach and other UPI, UCH and CHC leaders to
strengthen communication with community-based physicians and assist those clinical faculty
members who wish to refer their patients for specialty care.
Work with community partners, foundations and others to identify grants, gifts and other
funds to support community-based medical education and preceptor development.
Work with the department chairs and administrators, volunteer faculty-members, alumni and
others to identify best practices and develop measurable goals and objectives in recruiting
and supporting the volunteer faculty.
Work with the Associate Dean for Rural Health to develop student recruitment and outreach
activities for rural communities.
Oversee the activities of a full-time Director of the Office of Community-Based Medical
Education, who will be recruited to assist the Assistant Dean in meeting these objectives.
Other responsibilities as determined by the Associate Deans for Faculty Affairs and Rural
Health and the Assistant Dean for Lifelong Learning/Director, Academy of Medical
Educators.
Supervision Received
The Assistant Dean for Community-Based Medical Education will report to the Associate
Dean for Faculty Affairs. The Assistant Dean will also report indirectly to the Associate Dean for
Rural Health and the Assistant Dean for Lifelong Learning/Director, Academy of Medical
Educators. The Assistant Dean for Community-Based Medical Education will submit regular
reports to the VOICE committee and to the Senior Associate Dean for Education.
Administrative Structure
The Assistant Dean will have overall responsibility for the new Office of CommunityBased Medical Education. The Assistant Dean, working closely with the Associate Deans for
Faculty Affairs and Rural Health and the Assistant Dean for Lifelong Learning/Director,
Academy of Medical Educators, will make recommendations for appropriate administrative
support and resources for this office. The Office of Community-Based Medical Education will
be located administratively in the Dean’s Office (Office of Faculty Affairs).
Experience and Skills Required
The Assistant Dean for Community-Based Medical Education must have an M.D. or
D.O. degree and a School of Medicine faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or
higher. The Assistant Dean must also have a record of significant accomplishments as a
clinician and teacher.
The Assistant Dean for Community-Based Medical Education must be able to work
effectively with SOM and departmental leadership, faculty, residents and students. The
Assistant Dean must understand the content and structure of the undergraduate and graduate
medical and Physician Assistant curricula at the School of Medicine and the important role that
diversity, humanism and professionalism play in enhancing the teaching and learning
environment. The Assistant Dean must have exemplary communication, organization and
leadership skills in order to represent the School of Medicine in discussions with volunteer
faculty members, community leaders and other stakeholders. The Assistant Dean should also
have experience in preceptor development. Ideally, the Assistant Dean will have experience
working with community-based physicians and an understanding of the opportunities and
challenges that exist in creating effective learning environments in office settings. Travel is
required, as it is expected that the Assistant Dean will devote substantial time to visiting urban
and rural sites of practice and meeting with current or potential preceptors. The Assistant Dean
should also possess the ability to write grant applications for extramural funding to enhance the
office and strengthen preceptor development programs.
Please submit a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. The letter of interest should
include a summary of qualifications for this position, a vision statement and a list of program
priorities. Please submit all materials by May 4, 2012 to the Assistant Dean for CommunityBased Medical Education Search Committee, care of Nanette LaFrance
(Nanette.LaFrance@ucdenver.edu).