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Unit: School of Dentistry

Department: General Practice

Duties & Responsibilities:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry is seeking applicants for a full-time faculty position in the Department of General Practice, Division of Dental Hygiene. Academic rank, tenure eligibility, and salary commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The primary mission of the School of Dentistry is to educate practitioners of Dentistry capable of meeting the general oral health needs of the communities they serve. Integral parts of the mission are research and other scholarly activity, patient care, leadership in dental education and organized dentistry, and collaboration and participation with other units within VCU and VCU Health System. As the only dental hygiene program located within a dental school in the Commonwealth of Virginia, our students have a unique opportunity to work in integrated clinical settings alongside DDS students as well as with faculty members from Dental Hygiene, dentistry and specialty areas.

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry is located in downtown Richmond, Virginia. With a 133-year history, Virginia’s only dental school offers opportunities for selected, qualified individuals to study dentistry and oral health through its Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) program, graduate specialty training programs, and a dental hygiene program. The VCU School of Dentistry is one of a small number of dental schools in the country affiliated with an academic medical center, the only dental school in the Commonwealth, and one of the oldest dental schools in the United States, founded in 1893. It is one of six health sciences academic programs on the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) Campus of VCU.

Position Responsibilities:

The VCU School of Dentistry, Department of General Practice is seeking a full-time Faculty to fill the position of Director for the Dental Hygiene Program. The purpose of this position is to inspire student success, provide strong academic leadership, promote innovation and faculty achievement, and foster educational inclusiveness. The Dental Hygiene Program Director is directly responsible and accountable for ensuring the fulfillment of educational goals and objectives, ensuring program compliance through accreditation by the Committee on Dental Accreditation (CODA). In addition, the Dental Hygiene Program director holds the authority and responsibility for all administrative functions of the program as well as supervision of program faculty and students in a collaborative environment. The Dental Hygiene Program Director serves as a liaison with the administration of the School of Dentistry and reports directly to the Department Chair. The program director is also responsible for didactic, preclinical and clinical instruction of undergraduate and pre-doctoral students and participates in student advising, committee assignments, and scholarly activities. The Dental Hygiene Program Director serves as the Chair of Dental Hygiene Admissions, facilitating recruitment and retention of a diverse student body. Additional responsibilities include providing continuing education offerings to healthcare professionals. The Program Director will strive for excellence in educating a diverse student population prepared to promote optimum oral health in the community.

 Core Responsibilities and Administrative Duties:

• Coordinate program assessment activities on an annual basis

• Faculty supervision - Directs the coordination, and recruitment of faculty including faculty schedules, teaching assignments and evaluation 

• Curriculum - provides leadership for program curriculum development, evaluation and revision to ensure student success

• Assess program mission and goals, ensuring alignment with school and university strategic plans

• Assessing, planning and operating program administration. Initiate faculty development

• Prepare faculty contracts

• Chair the dental hygiene admissions committee-coordination, evaluation and participation in determining admission criteria and procedures as well as student promotion and retention criteria

• Maintain quality assurance to remain compliance with all required agencies, including the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)

• Maintain communication and work cooperatively with the department chair and Dean of the school

• Serve as representative on school and university committees

• Coordinate budgets and program instructional needs and supplies with the department chair

• Schedule and conduct program meetings

• Serve as an academic advisor

• Serve as course director and provide clinical instruction, maintaining syllabi, grading and the electronic management system

• Serve as chair of the dental hygiene class committee and a liaison to the Academic Progress Committee

• Maintain program website and university bulletin

Required Qualifications:

• Masters degree or higher in dental hygiene education or a related field

• Graduate of a program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation

• Eligible for licensure in Virginia

• Certification in local anesthesia and nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation

• Current CPR certification

• Minimum of one year of clinical experience as a hygienist

• Didactic teaching experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills and communication skills

• A demonstrated potential for leadership

• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU

• For tenure-eligible positions at the Assistant Professor rank, an established research agenda and a clear potential for external funding, as well as potential for scholarship or creative expression to complement and expand existing expertise in the department

• For tenure-eligible positions at the Associate Professor or Professor ranks, a well-developed scholarly/research portfolio with evidence of multi-disciplinary applications and external funding appropriate to complement and expand existing expertise in the department

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of three (3) years' experience in college level teaching is preferred

• Completion of a formalized leadership program is preferred

Three recent letters of reference, or contact information for at least three references, will be required for consideration.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Salary Range: Commensurate

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

Rank: Open

Tenure: Open

Months: 12 months

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Michelle McGregor
Contact Email: mrmcgregor@vcu.edu