Learning Specialist

Department
 

BSD PSM - Curriculum

About the Department
 

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine seeks a dedicated on-site learning specialist to provide academic support to medical students at all stages of their educational development. This individual will work closely with medical students, course directors, and the academic advising team (inclusive of the administrative staff and Dean for Medical Student Academic Advising and Advancement) to develop individualized learning plans for medical students to support their academic progress.

Job Summary
 

This position is responsible for identifying students at risk for academic difficulty, responding to requests for academic assistance, and analyzing the areas of need to provide direct educational counseling and coordination of resources for early intervention and remediation; monitoring the progress of students in academic assistance programs; and monitoring the progress of students at high risk for not passing in the curriculum. This individual will work closely with medical students, course directors, and the academic advising team to develop individualized learning plans for medical students to support their academic progress.

Responsibilities

Direct, one-on-one student support

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with medical students.

• Assess medical students to identify those who have learning differences and/or academic difficulties.

• Assist medical students in the development of effective learning plans that promote uptake of strategies for academic improvement.

• Monitor students’ progress with learning plans, providing feedback and adjusting plans as appropriate.

Group workshops and resource dissemination

• Work with other educational staff to design and implement a structured summer study and test taking skills course.

• Provide lectures and small group teaching to learners regarding effective life-long learning skills (e.g., time management, critical reasoning, learning strategies, study skills, and test-taking strategies).

• Provide course directors and members of the academic advising team with useful resources for medical students as it relates to their academic advancement.

• As necessary, refer students to outside supplementary resources and track their engagement and progress.

• Keep up to date with new developments in learning strategies and skills.

Student progress tracking

• Update course directors and members of the academic advising team about the academic progress of the medical students. 

• Provide status reports to academic advising and medical school education senior leadership.

• Collaborate with advising and education teams to implement and monitor remediation plans for students as necessary.

• Assist senior leadership with managing centralized tracking database to monitor student assessment data.

Other Responsibilities

• Conducts regular meetings with students to discuss academic programs, choice of major, academic progress and career goals. Facilitates students' progress towards the degree.

• Advises students with minor academic difficulties and counseling while responding to queries from faculty, staff and parents.

• Keeps records of student degree programs and notes on student conversations.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications
 

Education:

• Master’s Degree.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficiency in all aspects of computer operations including strong working knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, and Excel).

Preferred Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of effective teaching methods for a diverse array of learning styles.

• Excellent listening and observational skills.

• Empathic mindset and ability to support neurodiverse learners.

• Extensive knowledge of learning differences and strategies for successful academic progress.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to be able to work collaboratively with students, course directors, faculty, and staff within the medical education and student affairs teams.

• Adept in using techniques to assess individual students' learning skills and their ability to effectively learn.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to proactively identify issues and develop creative solutions.

• A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail with the ability to operate with minimal daily supervision.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Student Affairs & Services

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.