The Pathways MD track at Harvard Medical School offers a variety of teaching opportunities for qualified faculty members in the preclerkship curriculum. To meet eligibility requirements for teaching in required HMS courses, individuals must have a Harvard faculty appointment at the level of Lecturer or above, or be a qualified trainee (clinical or research fellow) approved by a faculty course director. Policy information about faculty appointments can be found on the Faculty Affairs website.
Teaching roles and responsibilities vary by course. Opportunities are posted here when available.
Practice of Medicine Co-Director
Practice of Medicine (POM) is the year-long introductory clinical skills course for Pathways first-year medical students. POM runs one full day a week (on Wednesdays) from early September through late May every year. The ideal candidate would be a physician faculty member with extensive experience in the teaching of basic doctoring skills to medical students.
Integrated Human Pathophysiology 2 Co-Director
Integrated Human Pathophysiology 2 (IHP2) is the first-year Pathways medical student course that covers cardiovascular and respiratory pathophysiology. IHP2 runs four mornings a week (8am-12:30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays) for seven weeks from late January through mid-March each year. The ideal candidate would be a physician faculty member in a relevant specialty with experience in teaching medical students.
Pharmacology Theme Director
Pharmacology is one of several longitudinal themes whose content is integrated into courses throughout the four years of the MD program. Pharmacology theme director responsibilities include stewardship of this discipline and integration of pharmacology content throughout multiple courses and clerkships. The ideal candidate would be an MD or PhD faculty member with experience in teaching pharmacology to medical students.
Substance Use and Pain Theme Director
Substance use and pain represent one of several longitudinal themes whose content is integrated into courses throughout the four years of the MD program. The theme director’s responsibilities include stewardship of this discipline and integration of substance use and pain medicine content throughout multiple courses and clerkships. The ideal candidate would be a physician faculty member in a relevant specialty with experience in teaching these topics to medical students.
Clinical Capstone Course Co-Director
The Clinical Capstone is a four-week course required of all HMS medical students within the final two months before graduation, serving as a final preparation for internship, an opportunity for self-reflection and further professional development, and an endpoint for assessment of entrustable professional activities (EPAs). The ideal candidate would be a physician faculty member with experience in advanced clinical skill teaching and assessment, including potentially at the graduate medical education level.
Professional Development Weeks Course Co-Director
There are two Professional Development Weeks (one in March/April and one in August every year) that together make up a course for Pathways preclerkship medical students focused on the development of professional identity, career exploration, and an understanding of the values intrinsic to the medical field. The ideal candidate would be a physician faculty member with experience in teaching these topics to medical students.
Note: Each of these courses also has openings for teaching faculty below the leadership level. If you are not selected for a director position, you may be invited to teach in the course and receive faculty development to help position you for an educational leadership role in the future.
Questions: Email office_deanformedicaleducation@hms.harvard.edu.
Applications due by Friday, March 21, 2024 by 11:59 PM
The HMS PME is currently seeking dedicated individuals to fill key roles in the BRIDGES I/II Course. Both components of BRIDGES, acronym for Building Readiness for Individual Development through Growth ExperienceS, focus on a graduated approach to advanced clinical skills, emphasizing experiential learning in both in-person and simulated settings. Specific skills include advanced physical exam techniques, introduction to unique clinical environments (e.g., operating room, pediatrics, delivery room, etc.), clinical reasoning, tailoring exams to clinical settings, focused oral and written presentation, and professionalism.
BRIDGES I will be run weekly on Wednesdays, August-October. BRIDGES II will be run Monday-Friday for 3.5 weeks in November-December.
BRIDGES Site Director
As a BRIDGES Site Director, you will play a pivotal role in the coordination and delivery of the course at the designated site and partner with the course co-directors in overall course design, delivery, coordination, and student assessment. The ideal candidate for this position would be an experienced physician faculty member with a demonstrated commitment to medical education and a strong background in clinical teaching, with familiarity for the site in which they are applying for. Ideally, we envision that the BIDMC, BWH, and MGH sites would have a team of two site co-directors who would oversee the entire BRIDGES course (BRIDGES I and II). CHA and BCH would have one site director who would oversee the entire BRIDGES course (BRIDGES I and II). We are seeking individuals who are passionate about mentoring students and facilitating their transition into clinical practice. RFA for full description of the Site Director Role.
Simulation Director
The Simulation Director is a key position within the BRIDGES course, overseeing the development and implementation of simulation-based learning activities. BRIDGES utilizes simulation sessions to provide students with immersive experiences in various clinical scenarios, enhancing their clinical reasoning and procedural skills. The Simulation Director will be responsible for designing simulation scenarios in partnership with site simulation teams, coordinating simulation sessions, and ensuring alignment with course objectives. This role requires a physician faculty member with expertise in clinical simulation and a passion for innovative teaching methods. The ideal candidate will have experience in scenario development, debriefing techniques, and simulation technology. We are seeking individuals who are dedicated to providing students with high-quality, experiential learning opportunities in a simulated clinical environment. This role is a one-time development role for AY24-25. RFA for full description of the Simulation Director Role.
Clinical Experience Director
The Clinical Experience Director plays a vital role in shaping the clinical education component of the BRIDGES course, providing students with meaningful patient encounters and exposure to real-world healthcare settings. In this position, you will oversee the coordination of clinical placements, ensuring that students have diverse and enriching experiences that align with the course objectives. The Clinical Experience Director will work closely with site directors and preceptors to facilitate student placements, develop assessments, and provide support as needed. We are seeking a physician faculty member with extensive experience in clinical education and a deep understanding of the importance of hands-on learning in medical training. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills, effective communication, and a commitment to fostering a positive learning environment for students during their clinical rotations. This role is a one-time development role for AY24-25. RFA for full description of the Clinical Experience Director Role.