Assistant Program Director/Anesthesiologist Assistant

The Assistant Program Director (APD) role for the UTHealth Houston Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) Program will work closely with the Program Director in all matters related to the program.  This includes the areas of clinical curriculum development applicable and unique for each level of training.  They will assist with didactic education structure and delivery. The APD will assist in the development of professionalism, interpersonal communication skills, and scholarly activities of the students. As an Anesthesiologist Assistant, the individual works under the medical direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, and the Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) administers prescribed anesthesia to surgery patients, and gathers comprehensive patient data to assist in the preparation of patients’ anesthetic plan. This role is 20% non-clinical as APD, 80% clinical. The ideal candidate will have two years’ experience as an anesthesiologist assistant.

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:  

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees  
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year) 
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue! 
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service) 
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan! 

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as... 

• Free financial and legal counseling 
• Free mental health counseling services 
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs 
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc. 
• Resources for child and elder care 
• Plus many more! 

Position Summary and Accountabilities for Anesthesiologist Assistant:

Under the medical direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, the Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) administers prescribed anesthesia to surgery patients, and gathers comprehensive patient data to assist in the preparation of patients' anesthetic plan.

Position Key Accountabilities:

• Under the direction and supervision of an anesthesiologist, the Anesthesia Assistant administers the prescribed anesthetic to patients in order to desensitize them to permit the performance of medical or surgical procedures.
• Obtains an extensive pre-anesthetic patient health history and performs pre-anesthetic physical examinations. After consultation with the anesthesiologist, the AA may order pre-op evaluations and pre-medications.
• Establish multi-parameter monitoring prior to anesthesia or in other acute care settings. Modalities include, but are not limited to, ASA Standard Monitors, arterial and venous catheters; may manipulate and interpret data from central venous, pulmonary artery, intracranial catheters and other monitors or devices.
• Performs initial CPR/ACLS in emergency situations until the supervising anesthesiologist is summoned.
• Utilizes advanced treatment modalities to effect Section 6, including but not limited to advanced airway interventions and intubation of the trachea; starting and adjusting doses of vasoactive infusions; administering vasoactive and anesthetic drugs; administering blood; and any other treatment modalities prescribed by the supervising anesthesiologist.
• Assists in the post-operative care of patients by managing post-op ventilator support and acute pain management in conjunction with existing protocols or the supervising anesthesiologist.
• May engage in teaching and research functions as deemed appropriate by the supervising anesthesiologist.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Description for Assistant Program Director:

The Assistant Program Director role for the UTHealth Houston Master of Science in Anesthesia (MSA) Program will be aiding in the development, implementation, and evaluation of all program activities as well as compliance with all policies, procedures, and accreditation standards as set forth by the Commission on  accreditation of Allied Health Educational Programs (CAAHEP), the University of Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and SACSCOC. 

Curriculum 

·        Recommend and implement changes in curriculum, policy, and program requirements as needed 

·        Work collaboratively with the department faculty to provide content advice and assistance 

Faculty 

·        Collaborate with faculty to solve challenges 

·        Participating in faculty workshops, commencement exercises and other meetings, as required 

·        Provide collaborative leadership and guidance to faculty and instructional staff in developing and delivering instructional programs 

Program Administration 

·        In the Program Director’s absence or unavailability, cover the essential responsibilities 

·        Participate with and perform administrative duties as directed by the Program Director 

·        Ensure that the program is in compliance with all policies, procedures, and accreditation standards as set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational 

·        Programs (CAAHEP), the University of Texas, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and SACSCOC 

·        Participates in development of strategic goals and objectives aligned with the Department of Anesthesiology and School of Medicine 

·        Help execute faculty and staff succession and growth planning 

Students 

·        Implement and monitor the program’s marketing plan for recruiting new students 

·        Evaluate applications for admission, manage personal interviews with applicants, and make recommendations to the Committee on Admissions 

·        Advise students as needed 

·        Teach students in didactic and clinical setting 

·        Develop and maintain contacts with other universities in order to generate and maintain a good applicant pool. 

·        Maintain standards of clinical performance in accordance to institutional objectives, professional standards of practice, regulatory, and accreditation agency standards 

University & Profession 

·        Interface with business and professional organizations, as well as with potential students and the public 

·        Act as a liaison between the MSA Program office and outside organizations, as well as other schools, committees, and task forces within the University 

Certification/Skills:

• Skilled in the use of state-of-the-art patient monitoring techniques in anesthesia care environments.
• Certified Anesthesiology Assistant (CAA) by National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants (NCCAA) required

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree and successful completion of a Commission Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited required. Two-year Anesthesia Assistant program required.

Minimum Experience:

None. Two years preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive:

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.

Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.