Description

The University of Tennessee Department of Dental Hygiene is seeking a full-time non-tenure track Open rank Professor and Chair. The Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene provides administration, oversight, and strategic direction of the Dental Hygiene Department. The Chair of the Department manages the academic and clinical programs within the department and oversees scholarship, patient care, continuing education, service, course development, faculty & staff recruitment /development, and research while ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance. As a key member of the faculty, the position will also include opportunities for clinical, laboratory, and didactic teaching, scholarly activities, and service to the Department, College of Dentistry, University, and profession. 

The position requires the development and implementation of organizational strategies and policies. The successful candidate for this position will be a strong leader who can identify and implement best practices, think strategically, plan for the long-term success of the college and effectively delegate tasks and foster a positive work environment and culture. The Chair works closely with the Associate and Assistant Deans & other department Chairs within the College of Dentistry.

Responsibilities
1. Recruitment, hiring, and mentoring of faculty in the Department.
2. Coaching junior and senior faculty in teaching effectiveness and conducting basic and/or clinical research and other scholarly activities that will help them qualify for appropriate promotion. This includes providing sufficient time, close monitoring, and regular encouragement for these activities.
3. Works closely with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in curriculum development, management, and implementation.
4. Collaborating with the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs in developing and implementing clinical and academic components of the electronic dental record and other clinical processes within the department.
5. Partnering with informatics personnel to optimize technology use in supporting teaching programs.
6. Oversees all academic programs within the department both at the school and community service-learning centers.
7. Maintain current knowledge of CODA accreditation standards for Dental Hygiene Education Programs.
8. Manages accreditation processes and other program documentation as needed.
9. Works closely with other college department chairs. 
10. Participates in budget plans for the department to ensure staffing, equipment, and funding meet mission requirements.
11. Represents the College to external constituencies as appropriate.
12. The Chair will supervise faculty and staff members within the Department ensuring effective performance management through regular evaluations, feedback sessions, professional development opportunities, and conflict resolution when necessary.
13. The Chair is expected to lead research initiatives within the department by fostering a collaborative research environment, assist in securing funding through grants, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at conferences, mentoring junior faculty members in their research endeavors, and promoting interdisciplinary research projects.
14. The Chair will be involved in teaching responsibilities which include developing curriculum content, delivering lectures/seminars/workshops, supervising clinical training sessions, evaluating student performance through assessments/exams/practical evaluations, advising students on academic/career matters, integrating new teaching methodologies/technologies into courses/programs offered by UT Health Science Center’s College of Dentistry.
15. Performing other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Requirements

EDUCATION: RDH and Master’s Degree in dental hygiene or a related field or DDS/DMD degree.

EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of administrative experience in higher education. Excellent written and verbal communications to effectively interact with students, faculty, staff, and administration. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for departmental faculty and staff. Analytical and decision-making skills to address challenges and improve student outcomes.

LICENSES:  Eligible for a Tennessee dental hygiene or dental license and current BLS certification from the American Heart Association.

DEPARTMENT PREFERENCES:

Experience in program development, assessment, and accreditation processes.
Preferred prior dental school leadership position such as program director/division head, interim chair, etc. 
Advanced degree in education such as Ed.D. preferred.