Call for New Clinical Postgraduate ARC-PA Site Visitors
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) is seeking applications from individuals interested in volunteering their time as a Clinical Postgraduate ARC-PA site visitor.
The site visit is an essential and unique step in the accreditation process and site visitors serve a critical role in providing information to the ARC-PA about a PA program’s demonstrated compliance with the Standards. It is through the written report of the site visitors that it is possible to verify, validate and clarify information submitted in the program’s accreditation application and to receive a perspective about the program operations that can only be obtained through direct observation.
Clinical Postgraduate Site visitors are selected from a pool of PA and physician educators, clinically practicing PAs, and others involved in clinical postgraduate PA education. They are asked to participate in 2-3 visits per year.
Site visitors receive no compensation for their services. However, travel and other direct costs associated with in person site visits are reimbursed by the ARC-PA.
Who may Apply?
- Clinical Postgraduate PA program educators (Full time, adjunct or clinical faculty associated with a clinical postgraduate program), with a minimum of 3 years of experience as a Clinical Postgraduate PA program educator
- Preceptors associated with Clinical Postgraduate PA programs, with a minimum of 3 years association with clinical postgraduate education
- Experienced entry-level site visit chairs
- Other individuals knowledgeable about Clinical Postgraduate PA education
Expectations of Site Visitors
Site visitors must
- possess superior analytical, written, verbal, and interpersonal abilities.
- be attentive to detail, open-minded, and able to follow directions.
- have the time needed to comprehensively review program materials and conduct from two to three program visits per calendar year.
- agree to participate in ARC-PA sponsored site visitor preparation.
- agree to abide by ARC-PA conflict of interest guidelines.
- not participate in consultative activities related to PA accreditation for any program subject to ARC-PA accreditation, even if not for personal gain. Such activities shall not be conducted while serving as a site visitor or for 1 year thereafter.
How to Apply
Qualified individuals must submit the following documents to the ARC-PA:
- A letter of interest detailing why the applicant believes he or she should be considered as a site visitor. This letter should address the applicant’s involvement with Clinical Postgraduate PA education and should demonstrate a clear understanding of the responsibilities involved in the site visitor role.
- A current curriculum vitae/resume. Please include complete mailing and email addresses and a daytime phone number.
- A letter of support from the applicant’s immediate supervisor addressing the applicant’s qualifications to serve in the role. The letter should also confirm that the applicant has the time required for the site visitor role.
Applications must adhere to the following conditions:
- All documents must be in Microsoft Word.
- Applications must be submitted electronically to newsitevisitor@arc-pa.org by Friday, March 25, 2022.
- Email must indicate that the application is for ‘Clinical Postgraduate Site Visitor’.
- Application documents do not need to be sent in a single email. However, incomplete applications will not be considered.
Prior to participating in the site visit process, selected site visitors must attend a site visitor workshop which will be held August 13-14, 2022.
For questions or concerns, please contact Tabitha Sharp at (770) 476-1224 or via email tabithasharp@arc-pa.org
WE ARE MOVING!!
After many years at our address on Findley Road in Johns Creek, Georgia, the ARC-PA offices will be moving. Effective October 1, 2021, our new address will be:
ARC-PA
3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
PUBLIC MEMBER FOR THE COMMISSION
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) seeks nominations for a public member commissioner. The ARC-PA is the recognized accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs to ensure their compliance with those standards.
The Public Member serves as a consumer advocate, representing the public interest in relation to the accreditation of physician assistant programs. The public member commissioner is expected to attend the three commission meetings (March, June and September) of the ARC-PA, contribute to discussions about accreditation status of programs, and participate in site visits to PA programs and as a member of ARC-PA committees or task forces. The term of appointment is 3 years with an opportunity for re-appointment for a second three-year term. For more information regarding the duties of a commissioner please contact the ARC-PA Executive Director.
The public member may not derive his or her livelihood from the Physician Assistant profession. Those working in educational administration, health-related organizations, and the accreditation community are not automatically excluded from consideration.
Travel and other direct costs related to the public member attending regular, special, or committee meetings, or site visits will be paid by the ARC-PA. Public Commissioners receive no compensation for their services.
The first term of office will begin January 1, 2022 and will end December 31, 2024.
To be considered (nominated or self-declared), please submit a resume and a statement describing your/their interest, experience and background that would support the mission of the ARC-PA.
Materials must be submitted via e-mail to: commissioners@arc-pa.org by June 21, 2021.
ARC-PA
3325 Paddocks Parkway, Suite 345
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Telephone: (770) 476-1224
Website: www.arc-pa.org
Application Announcement for a Dean Commissioner on the ARC-PA
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) seeks nominations, by others or self-declared, for a Commissioner position on the ARC-PA. This position is reserved for a college/university Dean who will bring the perspective of graduate level health professions education.
The ARC-PA is the recognized accrediting agency that protects the interests of the public and PA profession by defining the standards for PA education and evaluating PA educational programs to ensure their compliance with those standards.
The ideal candidate should be:
A Dean of a school or college/university of health professions, medical school, or graduate degree granting health care institution, who may or may not have oversight responsibility of a PA program, with institutional or programmatic accreditation experience.
The commissioner is required to attend the meetings of the ARC-PA (March, June, and September), contribute to discussions about accreditation status of programs, participate in site visits to PA programs, and act as a member of ARC-PA committees or task forces. The term of appointment is three years with an opportunity for re-appointment for a second three-year term. For more information regarding the duties of a Commissioner, please refer to the ARC-PA website at: http://www.arc-pa.org/commissioner-responsibilities/
The Dean commissioner may not derive his or her livelihood from the Physician Assistant profession.
Travel and other direct costs related to the public commissioner attending regular, special or committee meetings, workshops or site visits are paid by the ARC-PA. Commissioners receive no compensation for their services.
The term of office will begin January 1, 2022. The first official commission meeting of the term is
March 3-5, 2022. Newly elected commissioners are to also expected to attend the summer 2022 Accreditation and You Workshop June 23-25, 2022 (location TBA) as a participant and the January 2022 commission meeting as a guest. Attendance and participation at these meeting will provide orientation to the processes and work of the commission.
Nominations and applications, accompanied by a resume and a statement describing how the candidate’s experience and background will add to the evaluation of PA programs, should be forwarded via e-mail to: commissioners@arc-pa.org before or by July 1, 2021. Commissioner election will occur at the September 2016 commission meeting. Applicants will be notified of the results shortly after the meeting.