Learning Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:

The Learning Specialist will assess and teach cognitive/self-directed learning skills to students pursuing a medical degree. This position will assist and empower students to set and achieve academic success and personal goals through academic coaching, workshops, tutoring, life skill support, and other services. The Learning Specialist will provide early intervention and remediation to students in the School of Medicine who may be academically at risk. The Learning Specialist will support students within the policies and practices of the university and Student Affairs team. The goal is to ensure the academic and professional success of students enrolled in the UT Tyler SOM.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES / CRITICAL TASKS:

• Ensures preparation, development and implementation of strategies, systems, processes, learning experiences and networks that support achievement of the academic outcomes for the overall student experience of their first and second-year students. This includes maintaining a working knowledge of current academic success trends, remediation strategies, and active learning strategies.
• Evaluate, assess and diagnoses students who may be academically at risk.
• Provides instruction and proactive strategies that will occur during appointments, workshops, and tutoring.
• Reviews and coaches students about their results and appropriate use of their learning styles.
• Develops individual collaborative study plans for students to address learning skills, time and study management, knowledge organization, testing skills/preparation, and other areas of academic concern.
• Assists students with learning and study strategies (enhance clinical reasoning, develop time management skills, implement self-testing methods, improve test-taking skills, etc.).
• Provides referrals to other internal and external services, including Director of Academic and Career Success, Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Student Accessibility Resource Office, mental health counseling, career advising etc.
• Recruits qualified student tutors for peer tutoring program.
• Supports the coordination and management of the near peer tutoring program. This support includes but is not limited to the training of tutors and scheduling tutoring sessions.
• Designs and conducts group effective learning sessions to improve student learning strategies and study skills.
• Manages academic intervention and advising for medical students, including tracking academic progress; initiating student contact; interpreting assessment instruments (i.e. the Learning and Study Skills Inventory (LASSI); and advise students on how to enhance learning and performance.
• Supports the Director of Academic and Career Success with Board Exam preparation and advise students regarding appropriate study strategies.
• Identifies learning needs related to retention management, utilize effective communication skills to guide students to appropriate resources.
• Builds and maintain positive working relationships with UT Tyler SOM staff, faculty, and departments to support student development.
• Exercises independent judgment when coaching and advising students 1:1, solve problems and provide referrals to other offices, conduct educational workshops and trainings for students, and handle confidential information responsibly and in compliance with FERPA.
• Other duties as assigned.

ACCOMPANYING KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Experience working in medical education.
• Must be familiar with standardized examinations that apply to medical students, (i.e., MCAT, USMLE, etc.).
• Experience conducting educational workshops, seminars, and groups, or classroom teaching.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy and productivity.
• Ability to handle confidential information responsibly.