Department Head of Clinical Sciences

RUSVM

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is the number one provider of Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVMs) to the U.S.* and offers a DVM program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Located on St. Kitts, RUSVM includes the Ross University Veterinary Clinic and is accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association. A cutting-edge curriculum, with innovative use of technologies and simulations, provides the best possible training for tomorrow’s veterinarians.

RUSVM prepares students to become veterinary leaders by drawing connections among animals, people and the planet, as a member of the One Health Initiative. We offer research programs focused on emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases, conservation medicine and ecosystem health. Visit veterinary.rossu.edu for more information, and follow RUSVM on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

*Based on the total number of DVM graduates at RUSVM compared to U.S. schools in 2024.


 

Position Summary

The Head of the Department of Clinical Sciences provides academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for the clinical sciences enterprise at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. The Department includes approximately 35 faculty members and 50 support colleagues and plays a central role in delivering the professional veterinary curriculum.

Consistent with AVMA Council on Education (COE) expectations, the Department Head is responsible for ensuring the quality, integrity, and continuous improvement of clinical education, effective faculty leadership and development, appropriate resource and budget stewardship, and a learning environment that supports student achievement of program outcomes. The position reports directly to the Dean and serves as a key contributor to institutional planning and accreditation compliance.

Core Responsibilities (Aligned with AVMA COE Expectations)

1. Departmental Leadership & Organization

(AVMA COE Standards: Organization; Faculty)

• Provide clear leadership, direction, and accountability for the Department of Clinical Sciences, ensuring effective organizational structure and communication.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous improvement among faculty and staff.
• Ensure that departmental policies, procedures, and practices support institutional mission, educational objectives, and accreditation standards.
• Represent the Department in institutional governance, planning, and accreditation activities.

2. Clinical Curriculum & Academic Program Oversight

(AVMA COE Standards: Curriculum; Outcomes Assessment; Clinical Resources)

• Provide leadership for the delivery, quality, and evaluation of the clinical curriculum, ensuring that students achieve required competencies and learning outcomes.
• Ensure that clinical instruction is appropriately sequenced, supervised, and assessed, with sufficient case exposure and educational rigor.
• Collaborate with other academic leaders to ensure horizontal and vertical integration across the curriculum.
• Support innovation in clinical teaching and assessment while maintaining compliance with COE standards.

3. Faculty Leadership, Development & Evaluation

(AVMA COE Standards: Faculty; Organization)

• Lead the recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and retention of clinical sciences faculty, including temporary/visiting faculty.
• Ensure that faculty numbers, expertise, and workload distribution are sufficient to support the curriculum and student learning.
• Oversee faculty performance evaluation processes, promotion support, and professional development planning.
• Encourage excellence in teaching, clinical service, scholarship, and institutional engagement.

4. Research & Scholarly Activity

(AVMA COE Standards: Research Program)

• Encourage and support research and scholarly activity within the Department of Clinical Sciences, consistent with institutional expectations.
• Promote collaboration across departments and with external partners to strengthen clinical and translational research.
• Support faculty engagement in scholarship that enhances clinical education, patient care, and the veterinary profession.

5. Budget, Resources & Clinical Infrastructure

(AVMA COE Standards: Physical Facilities and Equipment; Finances; Clinical Resources)

• Develop, manage, and monitor the departmental budget, ensuring responsible stewardship of financial resources.
• Advocate for and allocate resources necessary to support high‑quality clinical teaching, faculty effectiveness, and student learning.
• Collaborate with institutional leaders to ensure adequate facilities, equipment, staffing, and clinical resources.

6. Accreditation & Continuous Improvement

(AVMA COE Standards: Outcomes Assessment; Organization; All Standards)

• Ensure departmental readiness for AVMA COE accreditation and focused site visits, including accurate documentation and faculty engagement.
• Participate actively in self‑study preparation, data review, and response to accreditation findings.
• Use assessment data, faculty input, and student outcomes to guide continuous improvement within the department.
• Promote faculty understanding of accreditation standards and their role in compliance and quality assurance.

Required Qualifications

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree.
• Advanced academic or professional qualifications appropriate to clinical sciences (e.g., board certification, PhD, or equivalent experience).
• Eligibility for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Demonstrated experience in clinical education leadership, academic administration, or program management.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience as a department chair, section head, program director, or comparable leadership role.
• Experience managing budgets and resources in an academic or clinical environment.
• Record of scholarly activity and engagement in clinical or educational research.
• Direct experience with AVMA COE accreditation processes.

Core Competencies

• Academic and clinical leadership
• Faculty mentorship and performance management
• Strategic planning and resource stewardship
• Outcomes‑based education and assessment
• Accreditation readiness and compliance
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership

Working Conditions & Expectations

• Full‑time academic leadership role.
• Periodic increased workload during academic cycles and accreditation activities.
• Occasional travel for professional, clinical, or institutional purposes.

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation