Job Details:
The Program Director of the Surgical Technology program provides leadership, oversight, and continuous evaluation of the program. This role ensures that the curriculum remains current and effectively prepares students for certification and career success. The Program Director is also responsible for maintaining compliance with accreditation standards established by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA).
Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities
Management Responsibilities
- Interview, hire, onboard, and train instructors to teach Surgical Technology courses.
- Manage instructor schedules, teaching assignments, and workloads; assist with course scheduling and class logistics.
- Provide training, coaching, and mentorship to instructors regarding curriculum delivery and instructional methods.
- Observe and evaluate Surgical Technology instructors and laboratory assistants, documenting performance using established evaluation tools.
- Ensure instructors adhere to institutional policies and faculty performance standards outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
- Maintain teaching assignment(s) and/or serve as a substitute instructor as needed.
- Participate in Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and In-Service meetings to support institutional academic initiatives.
Curriculum & Instruction
- Ensure the curriculum aligns with industry standards, certification requirements, and accreditation expectations.
- Oversee didactic, laboratory, equipment, and instructional resources for the Surgical Technology program.
- Facilitate Program Review, Curriculum Review, and Occupational Advisory Committee meetings to support continuous program improvement and alignment with workforce needs.
- Evaluate curriculum effectiveness and recommend revisions based on accreditation requirements, certification outcomes, employer feedback, and industry trends.
Compliance
- Ensure the Surgical Technology program maintains compliance with all applicable CAAHEP and ARC/STSA accreditation standards.
- Prepare, maintain, and submit accreditation reports, documentation, and required outcomes data.
- Maintain accurate program records and documentation required for accreditation reviews and site visits.
- Ensure compliance with FERPA and institutional policies regarding student records and confidentiality.
Student Success & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor and evaluate student success metrics, including attendance, academic progress, certification outcomes, retention, and graduation rates.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve student retention, completion, certification success, and overall program outcomes.
- Coordinate co-curricular activities that support student success.
- Monitor program outcomes to ensure established institutional and accreditor benchmarks are achieved.
- If the benchmark changes, the job description becomes outdated.
Community Outreach
- Develop and maintain partnerships with healthcare employers, clinical education sites, vendors, certification organizations, and professional associations.
- Represent the Surgical Technology program at institutional, community, and professional events.
- Foster relationships that support student clinical education, employment opportunities, and program growth.
Other Duties
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by senior leadership.
Education and Experience
Required
- Graduate of a nationally programmatically accredited Surgical Technology program.
- Associate degree required; bachelor's degree preferred.
- Current national certification in Surgical Technology (CST) through an NCCA-accredited certification agency.
- Minimum of five years of experience within the past ten years consisting of operating room scrub experience, teaching Surgical Technology, or a combination of both.
- Documented education or experience in:
- Instructional methodology
- Curriculum design
- Program planning
Preferred
- Prior experience as a Program Director, Clinical Coordinator, or Lead Instructor.
- Experience with CAAHEP/ARC/STSA accreditation processes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student and employee populations.
- Strong organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
- Ability to analyze data and prepare reports.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring deadlines.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, clinical partners, and employers.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while exercising sound judgment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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