Learning Specialist

About Us

The Learning Specialist will report to the Assistant Director of the Office of Academic Support and Counseling (OASC), and is responsible for assisting with conducting learning evaluations, and in the provision of learner-centered academic coaching support for MD, MSTP, and PhD students. This position requires helping students adapt their study and personal habits, test-taking skills, and high-stakes exam prep to the demands of professional education. The Learning Specialist is responsible for helping the OASC Assistant Director in efforts to track student academic performance, well-being and needed disability services, including identifying at-risk students for proactive intervention and assisting students in maximizing usage of institutional resources. The Learning Specialist works with the Assistant Director to provide students with personalized academic coaching and learning support and to address ongoing academic challenges through development of individually tailored study plans and referral recommendations. This position also requires helping the OASC Assistant Director evaluate student accommodation needs and annually reviews and updates accommodation attestations. The Learning Specialist requires expert command of learning theory and practice, as well as experience working with individuals and groups of graduate level professional students. The Learning Specialist also will provide ongoing group supervision of the OASC Near Peer Support Team members (i.e., tutoring, mentoring) and directly train and supervise the OASC Administrative Assistant II.  The position requires working a flexible schedule to accommodate students’ class, exam and rotation commitments.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Learning Specialist will report to the Assistant Director of the Office of Academic Support and Counseling (OASC), and is responsible for assisting with conducting learning evaluations, and in the provision of learner-centered academic coaching support for MD, MSTP, and PhD students. This position requires helping students adapt their study and personal habits, test-taking skills, and high-stakes exam prep to the demands of professional education. The Learning Specialist is responsible for helping the OASC Assistant Director in efforts to track student academic performance, well-being and needed disability services, including identifying at-risk students for proactive intervention and assisting students in maximizing usage of institutional resources. The Learning Specialist works with the Assistant Director to provide students with personalized academic coaching and learning support and to address ongoing academic challenges through development of individually tailored study plans and referral recommendations. This position also requires helping the OASC Assistant Director evaluate student accommodation needs and annually reviews and updates accommodation attestations. The Learning Specialist requires expert command of learning theory and practice, as well as experience working with individuals and groups of graduate level professional students. The Learning Specialist also will provide ongoing group supervision of the OASC Near Peer Support Team members (i.e., tutoring, mentoring) and directly train and supervise the OASC Administrative Assistant II.  The position requires working a flexible schedule to accommodate students’ class, exam and rotation commitments.

Position responsibilities include:

• Meeting with students individually as needed to support the OASC Assistant Director in providing learning evaluations and assessments, consultation, coaching, and/or referral to assist in development of academic success strategies and personal well-being.
• Developing, monitoring, and adjusting individual learning plans for students at-risk for academic difficulty or in academic jeopardy, including development of learning and study skills, critical thinking, self and time management, test-taking and prep strategies, and maintaining an appropriate balance between life and school.

• Conducting and reporting on learning evaluations and assessments that identify individual learning needs.

• Supporting student needs related to disability accommodations, including overseeing the annual review of student accommodation attestations and making the relevant updates regarding needed accommodations.
• Assisting in identifying, training, and supervising Near Peer Support Team members, using student academic performance and faculty input.
• Developing and delivering workshops and independent learning modules to enhance effective learning techniques based on learning theory and evidence-based strategies.

• Updating and maintaining databases of records related to monitoring student progress, academic support services needed and provided, and related outcomes.
• Assisting the OASC Assistant Director in tracking and monitoring students engaged in off-cycle curricular plans, customized schedules, or Leave of Absences (LOA).
• Assisting in identifying and tracking outside student academic support and counseling services.

• Supporting and attending student functions as appropriate (e.g., OASC workshops and panel discussions, orientation, Near Peer Support Team training).

• Meeting weekly with the OASC Assistant Director to review progress of students receiving or in need of OASC support.
• Ongoing supervision of the OASC Administrative Assistant II.
• Performing other duties as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications Required - Knowledge, Skill and Ability

• Masters degree with a focus on education, psychology, cognitive and learning skills, basic sciences, or closely related field.

• Minimum 3 years related experience in academic setting providing intervention strategies to diverse learners in graduate or professional degree programs.
• Training and experience in utilizing and interpreting psycho-educational test instruments and write up of findings.
• Excellent advising/counseling skills and strong interpersonal/human relations and collaboration skills.
• Experience in conducting educational workshops, seminars, and panel discussions for large audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, including oral and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated conceptual, analytical, organizational, and time management skills.
• Innovative, empathetic, and proactive solution-oriented approach to sensitive and complex problems, including flexibility in meeting the various needs of students.

• Knowledge of student and patient privacy regulations (FERPA, HIPAA, etc) and ability to maintain strictest standards regarding confidentiality of all student information.
• Ability to keep abreast of advances in evidence-based learning theories and practices and integrate them into student academic advising and coaching.

• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Sharepoint, Forms) and management of different computer programs and databases.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in medical and/or graduate education and administration, with demonstrated success in developing and implementing academic support and cognitive/learning skills services for professional students (MD, PhD, MSTP).

• Knowledge of best practices in areas related to equal access for students with disabilities in graduate health science education.
• Experience in medical and/or graduate education with demonstrated success in implementing academic support and cognitive skills services.
• Experience with standardized examinations (e.g., NBME subject examinations, USMLE Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3).
• Experience as an academic counselor, coach, or mentor.
• Experience teaching at the college and/or graduate level.
• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA of 1990), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008

Minimum Salary Range USD $100,000.00/Yr. Maximum Salary Range USD $110,000.00/Yr.

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