The University of Southern California (USC), a distinguished institution established in 1880, stands as Los Angeles’ largest private employer, fostering a world-class research environment and a strong sense of community within its “Trojan Family”. Within this esteemed university, the Keck School of Medicine of USC Family Medicine Residency Program plays a pivotal role in training the next generation of primary care physicians.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC Family Medicine Residency Program, an ACGME-accredited 6-6-6 program founded in July 2021 in Los Angeles, California, is dedicated to cultivating family medicine physician leaders who will revolutionize primary care and champion health equity and wellness for all. A core component of this mission is preparing physicians to effectively collaborate within and lead interprofessional teams, which increasingly includes Primary Care Associate Programs.
These Primary Care Associate Programs, encompassing training for Physician Assistants (PAs), Nurse Practitioners (NPs), and other allied health professionals, are vital to expanding access to high-quality primary care. The USC Family Medicine Residency Program recognizes this growing need and integrates principles relevant to Primary Care Associate Programs throughout its curriculum and clinical experiences.
The residency program’s “Clinic-First” Model ensures residents gain extensive continuity experience in diverse urban settings, mirroring the environments where Primary Care Associate Programs often operate. Partnerships with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and AltaMed Health Services, a Federally Qualified Health Center, expose residents to collaborative care models and the importance of team-based approaches in primary care, skills crucial for working alongside and potentially leading Primary Care Associates. Furthermore, the innovative Street Medicine program provides a unique perspective on delivering primary care to underserved populations, highlighting the critical role that various healthcare professionals, including those from Primary Care Associate Programs, play in addressing health disparities.
The Associate Program Director (APD) position within the Keck Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program is central to fostering an environment that values and integrates the principles of Primary Care Associate Programs. The APD, working alongside the Program Director, is instrumental in shaping the residency curriculum, ensuring it prepares residents not only for independent practice but also for collaborative leadership within broader primary care teams. This includes understanding the scope of practice, training, and contributions of Primary Care Associates.
Key Responsibilities of the Associate Program Director
The Associate Program Director’s role is multifaceted, encompassing both clinical care and administrative responsibilities, all contributing to the program’s mission of advancing primary care.
A significant portion of the APD’s time (60%) is dedicated to Clinical Care, which includes providing direct patient care and, crucially, supervising resident patient care. This supervisory role extends to modeling effective collaboration with other healthcare professionals, including those who may be graduates of Primary Care Associate Programs. By working alongside residents and supervising their interactions with diverse healthcare teams, the APD instills the value of interprofessional collaboration in primary care settings.
The remaining 40% of the APD’s time is allocated to Residency Administration. This aspect is critical for integrating the principles and understanding of Primary Care Associate Programs into the residency. Administrative duties include:
- Curriculum Oversight: Supervising the formal didactics curriculum allows the APD to ensure that content related to team-based care, interprofessional practice, and the roles of Primary Care Associates are appropriately integrated. This may involve incorporating lectures, workshops, or simulations focused on collaborative practice models.
- Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) and Evaluation: Overseeing the CCC and resident evaluation processes provides an avenue to assess residents’ competency in working within interprofessional teams and understanding the contributions of Primary Care Associates. Evaluations can be designed to specifically assess these collaborative skills.
- Rotation Development and Maintenance: Participating in the development and maintenance of core and elective rotations allows the APD to create opportunities for residents to work directly with Primary Care Associates in various clinical settings. Rotations can be structured to emphasize team-based care and the complementary roles of physicians and associates.
- Residency Program Evaluation Committee (RPEC): Participation in the RPEC ensures that program evaluation activities consider the program’s effectiveness in preparing residents for collaborative practice and leadership in diverse primary care environments, including those involving Primary Care Associate Programs.
- Residency Recruitment: Involvement in residency recruitment allows the APD to attract candidates who are enthusiastic about team-based care and understand the evolving landscape of primary care, including the increasing importance of Primary Care Associates.
- Faculty and Leadership Development: Participating in faculty development activities provides a platform to educate faculty on the importance of interprofessional education and collaborative practice, ensuring they can effectively teach and mentor residents in these areas. Leadership development activities can focus on preparing future program directors who champion team-based care models that include Primary Care Associates.
- Advisor and Role Model: Serving as an advisor and role model allows the APD to personally mentor residents on the values of professionalism, quality, patient safety, and well-being within a collaborative, team-based care environment that includes Primary Care Associates.
- Scholarly Activity and Research: Collaboration on research and scholarly activity can focus on team-based care models, the effectiveness of interprofessional education, and the impact of Primary Care Associate Programs on patient outcomes and access to care.
Essential Qualifications
Candidates for the Associate Program Director position are expected to possess a strong foundation in family medicine and a commitment to advancing primary care through collaborative models.
Education and Certification:
- MD or DO degree.
- Completion of an ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency.
- Board certification by ABFM or AOBFM.
- California medical licensure.
- DEA licensure with full prescriptive authority.
Professional Experience and Skills:
- Minimum of five years of experience as a practicing Family Medicine physician.
- At least two years of Core Faculty experience in an ACGME-accredited Family Medicine residency program. This experience should ideally include exposure to or involvement with interprofessional education or team-based care initiatives.
- Demonstrated experience leading teams in project management and quality improvement, skills directly transferable to leading and managing interprofessional primary care teams that include Primary Care Associates.
- Knowledge and experience in team-based primary care models, including an understanding of the roles and contributions of Primary Care Associates.
- Superior communication and interpersonal skills, essential for effective collaboration within interprofessional teams.
- Demonstrated excellence as a clinician and educator, with the ability to teach residents the principles of team-based care and the importance of Primary Care Associates.
- Experience evaluating medical competencies, applicable to assessing residents’ skills in interprofessional collaboration.
Reporting Structure
The Associate Program Director reports to the Residency Program Director for residency program activities, ensuring alignment with the program’s overall goals and mission, including its commitment to preparing residents for collaborative primary care practice. For direct patient care responsibilities, the APD reports to the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs.
USC strongly values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
The annual base salary range for this position reflects the significant responsibilities and expertise required, ranging from $249,000 to $289,000. The final offer will be determined based on factors such as experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
This Associate Program Director position at the Keck School of Medicine of USC Family Medicine Residency Program offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of family medicine and contribute to the advancement of primary care, including the effective integration and leadership of Primary Care Associate Programs. By fostering a learning environment that values collaboration and interprofessional practice, the APD will play a vital role in preparing future family physicians to lead and thrive in the evolving landscape of primary care.
