Clinical Assistant Professor, Endodontist - College of Dental Medicine - Illinois

Position Summary

The CDMI curriculum comprises integrated oral health science and basic sciences emphasizing knowledge, skills and values in clinical general dentistry, including specific disciplines of dentistry (e.g. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Prosthodontics, Operative Dentistry, Endodontics, Periodontics, etc.) as required for pre-doctoral education in general comprehensive dentistry.

The Endodontist Clinical Assistant Professor is responsible for the Endodontic instruction of predoctoral students, direct provision of patient care, didactic instruction of predoctoral students, peripheral oversight of day-to-day clinic operations, contribution to the development of the CDMI curriculum and, as assigned, faculty calibration.

Reporting Relationships

The Full-time Endodontist Clinical Assistant Professor reports to the Assistant/Associate Dean, Clinical Education.

Working Relationships

The Full-time Endodontist Clinical Assistant Professor interacts significantly with the Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean for Preclinical Education and the Assistant/Associate Dean for Clinical Education. Additionally, the Endodontist must communicate effectively with all CDMI General Practice Faculty and support staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Full-time Endodontist Clinical Assistant Professor performs the following functions, included but not limited to:

I. Patient Care

• Provide direct patient care within the scope of practice of Endodontics.


• Supervise the safe provision of Endodontics treatment by predoctoral dental students.


• Ensure that the care provided is patient-centered, interdisciplinary, based on evidence, and occurs in a compassionate manner.


• Providing treatment within treatment plans driven by the comprehensive needs of the patient, under the direction of the Clinical Care Coordinators.


• Oversee the provision of urgent care that ensures patient stabilization and pain relief.


• Consult with patients, providing endodontic treatment recommendations for the students and General Practice Faculty in the Treatment Planning of patients.


• Assist the Assistant/Associate Dean of Clinical Education, as needed, in resolving patient management issues.


• Be an example of life-long learning for the pre-doctoral students and fellow faculty by being willing to learn and use emerging technologies in patient care as approved by the CDMI.

II. Clinic Operations and Quality Improvement

• Working with the CDMI Administrative team, contribute to managing the operational aspects of the Endodontic suite, maintaining, and promoting an environment of quality patient care and excellent student learning.


• Participate in compliance with federal, state, local, and University/College protocols (e.g. OSHA, HIPAA, Infection Control and Clinic Manuals, etc.).


• Contribute to faculty standardization in the provision of Endodontic treatment that follows CDMI protocols.


• Participate with all faculty in implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) strategies such as the review of clinical records and audits of patient care progress and review of various clinical reports.


• Assess treatment outcomes and promote a teaching, non-punitive environment that strives to prevent adverse treatment outcomes.


• Advise the Assistant/Associate Dean for Clinical Sciences on college-wide academic issues to assist in moving the institution to its vision of academic excellence in endodontics.


• Establish a welcoming atmosphere to improve morale and to promote collegiality among students, staff and faculty.

III. Clinical and Didactic Education

• Participate in course related activities for CDMI students and faculty.


• Develop and deliver didactic Endodontic lectures for CDMI faculty and students.


• Clinically supervise the students in endodontic diagnosis and treatment.


• Provide clinical Instruction and student feedback and assessment.

• Utilize and share EHR-generated reports to monitor student clinical activity within the area of Endodontics.


• Interact with students and faculty members as required to monitor and assess student performance. Provide effective feedback and prescribe and coordinate on-going remedial actions as the situation demands.


• Work with CCC in identifying students having difficulty as needed.


• Conduct periodic meetings regarding the students with CCC and suite faculty as needed.

• Advise students on professional conduct and practice management and assist the faculty and staff of their bay with solving patient-related problems

• Prepare and provide pertinent information regarding student progress as requested by the Assistant Dean of Clinical Education and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and others.


• Maintain an open-door policy on the part of administrators and faculty for students in need of counseling.

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. Must be able to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and have regular, predictable, in-person attendance.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Candidates must possess a DDS/DMD degree or equivalent, and a certificate of completion in a CODA accredited or must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of practice with primary focus of Endodontics, post-doctoral training in Endodontics.  Candidates must be licensed or be eligible for and obtain licensure to practice dentistry in the State of Illinois. DEA License are also required. S/he should be a person committed to educating and empowering students with a wide range of clinical and academic abilities. The successful candidate will be an individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively interact with students, faculty and patients.

Computer Skills

Ability to learn the EPIC Electronic Health Record, and related programs.

Other Skills/Qualities Required

The Full-time Faculty-Specialist, Endodontist should possess the following skills:

• Clinical skills consistent with those of a proficient practicing clinician within the specialty domain.


• Interpersonal skills, including active listening, clear and respectful communications.


• A patient-centered focus, demonstrated by striving to provide a high level of professional service, taking into account the patient’s individual needs and working with the patient in a positive, amicable and professional manner.


• Student focused, demonstrated by the ability to work with pre-doctoral students in a positive and professional manner. Able to teach the student, individually and in groups, taking into account individual learning styles, level of experience and prior knowledge.


• Be a positive role model for students.


• Cultural competence, demonstrated by interacting effectively with individuals from a variety of cultures with recognition of their cultural norms.


• Collegiality, demonstrated by showing respect for colleagues, both faculty and student doctors.


• Effective time management.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Language Skills

High skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information to top management, and boards of directors.

Reasoning Ability

High skills: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

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. The employee is regularly required to walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, use hands to handle, feel, and perform fine motor activities; talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

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. This position is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

If you would like to learn more about this position or about the College of Dental Medicine, please submit your letter of intent and application through Midwestern University’s online job board:

1. Visit midwestern.edu 


2. Under Resources select Careers at Midwestern 


3. Select “View Current Job Openings” 


4. Select “Faculty” for job category and “Illinois Dental Clinic” for location 


5. Note that although faculty positions are usually listed as Assistant Professor, initial appointment at a higher rank is possible based on the academic experience of the applicant. 


6. Your online application should include a letter of intent and a curriculum vitae with the names and contact information (including email addresses) of at least three professional references. 

For more information about this position, please contact:

Dr. Stephen Palatinus, DDS, MPH

Associate Dean of Clinical Education

College of Dental Medicine

Email: [email protected]