Program Specialist-AZ- Clinical Psychology

The Program Specialist reports directly to the Program Director in Clinical Psychology and is primarily responsible for supporting the Clinical Psychology program. Primary tasks will involve collection, coordination, and analysis of program data; general administrative coverage with support in specific areas such as student recruitment, curriculum planning, and clinical training; and manage social media for the CP program.  The Program Specialist will also work with other CHS programs to support social media, clinical training, and program related needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Data Collection, Coordination, and Analysis

• Provide support to the Program Director in managing yearlong admissions process, including applicant communication, meet and greet opportunities, and coordination virtual and online events as needed.
• Take initiative in solving problems, understanding student needs, and recommending solutions for a broad range of programmatic functions.
• Assist with preparing evaluations for program effectiveness that support decision making for changes to program policies and procedures.
• Maintain and organize all admissions data, including information pertinent to accreditation; and track student competencies across program courses.
• Organize, maintain, and update program databases; prepare reports based on data as needed and requested. These activities include but are not limited to, program surveys, accreditation reports (including the annual report and all accreditation reports), student competency (CAMP) data, and other program data as requested.

Recruitment, Curriculum, Clinical Training, and Other Program Support

• Serve as the primary point of contact for students in the CP degree program; coordinate regular meetings with students (including representatives of student clubs and government) and share and advocate for student issues with the Program Director and faculty.
• Respond to inquiries from prospective students, providing timely information about the CP program and coordinating with admissions to provide site tours for prospective students and interested parties.
• Order and prepare promotional materials (e.g., “swag,” updated flyers, etc.) for graduate fairs and other recruitment events, and incoming student points of contact and activities.
• Coordinate and organize training for the Student Admissions Committee. Match student mentors with admitted students.
• Evaluate recruitment strategy effectiveness and recommend changes, as needed.
• Alumni engagement activities throughout the year (in person and virtual)
• Coordinate all social media for the program, including Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, organize Facebook and Instagram Live events featuring faculty.
• Support the SLP Program’s efforts to maintain social media in their program by regularly meeting with faculty and staff to provide input and ideas about the Program’s ongoing social media presence.
• Assist with coordinating transfer credit procedures, participate in meetings with students to adjust complex curriculum plans, and communicate quarterly with the registrar to ensure accurate enrollment.
• Develop and maintain adjusted curriculum plans, communicating with the registrar to ensure students are registered for appropriate classes.
• Maintain and track coursework progress to degree completion.
• Plan and organize student social events, including graduation and White Coat.
• Assist with the program’s continuing education series including sending announcements and tracking continuing education documentation
• Create and publish at least one program newsletter per year.
• Assist with marketing efforts at the Therapy Institute Psychology Clinic
• Assist Director of Clinical Training with student rotation assignments and coordinating site visits.
• Maintain and track practicum data, affiliation agreements and clinical training paperwork (including forms, evaluations, plans, etc.).
• Maintain a list of approved CP practicum rotation sites for accreditation purposes and support the updating and maintenance of affiliation agreements and other contractual agreements.
• Process agreements for new rotation sites.
• Prepare and send a quarterly preceptor newsletter to enhance communication with clinical supervisors.
• Support clinical training in the Occupational Therapy program by assisting with processing affiliation agreements for new rotation sites and updating existing affiliation agreements in the program. Support the OT program in maintaining and tracking practicum site information and data.
• Attend department meetings.
• Provide coverage for other administrative responsibilities in the absence of the Senior Administrative Assistant. These may include:
  • Processing requisitions and check requests.
  • Making room reservations for the program.
  • Tracking workload data for the program.
  • Completing forms and other paperwork as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications 
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to plan work, set priorities, and respond to pressures, deadlines, and changes in schedules and priorities.

Below are the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required of the successful candidate. This individual must exercise judgement and initiative, work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner, and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 
A Bachelor’s Degree is required, preferably in psychology, educational or counseling-related fields. Must have a minimum of 3-5 years relevant working experience. Prior experience working with students, and/or faculty in higher education setting strongly desired. The ability to build positive rapport with many groups of internal and external stakeholders is required to be successful in this position. Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Possess the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment. Demonstrated organizational skills including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. 

Computer Skills 
Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook). Must be proficient utilizing social media sites (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok etc.).

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 occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and /or move up to 10 pounds.

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 noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.