Summary

The Learning Specialist provides academic support, develops services, and advises graduate healthcare students on study skills, exam strategies, and the development of lifelong learning skills.  The Learning Specialist primarily assists students experiencing academic challenges in their perspective healthcare program.  This position works 32 hours/week and reports directly to the Associate Dean of Students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide students with individual and group academic support, including the development of learning, study, and exam strategy materials to provide support that meets the needs of students and enhances academic skill development.


• Assist students with their clinical communication and language skills so they can communicate effectively in the clinical setting.


• Advise professional healthcare students individually and in group settings on study and learning strategies, test taking strategies, time management, and organization skills.


• Develop academic support materials and facilitate quarterly workshops and/or presentations on topics related to academic success


• Provide consultation, training, and outreach regarding learning difficulties to students, faculty, deans, and administrators.


• Collaborate with faculty and deans to support student success and respond to department, course, and student-specific needs.


• Maintain accurate and confidential records of interactions with students.


• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with faculty, staff and students.


• Participate in new student orientation presentations on strategies for success.


• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Dean, Student Services.

Supervisory Responsibilities                                               

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner.  This individual must have regular, in-person, predictable attendance.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience                                             

• A Master’s Degree is required, ideally in a relevant field such as secondary higher education, psychology, counseling, or related field.


• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience of direct service providing academic support and development and implementation of learning programs to graduate students, preferably in healthcare education in a selective college or university setting.


• Strong program development, materials development, and oral and written skills.


• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.


• Knowledge of academic success skills such as, but not limited to: learning strategies, test taking skills and strategies, self-management skills, and clinical communication skills.


• Self-motivated and able to work independently.

Computer Skills                                           

Computer proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Teams).

Language Skills                                            

High skills:  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write and communicate verbally and effectively present information to students and faculty.

Reasoning Ability                                                     

High skills:  Ability to ascertain student academic weaknesses and effectively communicate academic learning strategies to help resolve those student academic weaknesses.

Mathematical Ability

Basic skills:  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.    

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 regularly 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, including 41 C.F.R. 60-1.4(a), 250.5(a), 300.5(a) and 741.5(a). 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.