Executive Council for Education Chair Search

July 13, 2020 by Todd Christman

The Executive Council for Education (ECE) Chair position becomes available in June 2021. Electronic applications are being accepted.

ECE Mission Statement

The Executive Council for Education informs and assists the profession in setting the direction for athletic training education.  Emphasizing a commitment to improving patient care through an evidence-based approach, the ECE proactively influences best educational practices that reflect athletic training’s interprofessional nature and commitment to learning.

Position Description

The ECE is charged with developing direction and policy for NATA’s educational programs.  The chair administers and coordinates the ECE and its current subgroups:

  • Professional Education Committee
  • Post-professional Education Committee
  • Professional Development Committee
  • Education Advancement Committee
  • Convention Program Committee
  • AT EducATionalist Community

This position has responsibility for all aspects of education for ATs in all settings and at all stages of their career and ranges from professional education to professional development/continuing education.

The person in this position serves as the NATA liaison to the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and works closely with the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC). They also will be asked to work with outside organizations and associations that impact athletic training such as the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, etc.

Under the current ECE Chair, the Reshaping Education document, which will address athletic training education strategic planning, for 2030 and beyond, is now being developed by four work groups focused on professional, early career, mid to late career and clinical education. The work of this group will be complete during 2021.  

Reshaping Education will be aligned to the Athletic Training Strategic Priorities:

Once the Reshaping Education document is approved by the NATA Board of Directors, the role of the incoming chair will be to guide the work on each of the recommendations by making sure that further research is completed (as needed), proposals are developed to be presented to the Board for final approval, and that approved proposals are implemented.

During their term, the ECE Chair will work as appropriate with the Strategic Alliance, and be involved in the leadership of NATA’s efforts related to important initiatives impacting the profession such as: BOC’s Continuing Professional Certification; diversity initiatives; implementation of the first Specialty Certification; incorporation of the Research Agenda; post-professional program initiatives; etc.

Each of the committees that fall under the ECE have their own mission statement and initiatives.  All initiatives feed into the overall ECE goals. The ECE Chair works with the council chairs to monitor their progress and to help maintain synergy.

In addition, liaisons to the ECE from the NATA Research and Education Foundation, CAATE, BOC and ATEC Subcommittee are managed by the ECE chair.  This includes maintaining communication and collaboration with their NATA Board liaison and NATA staff liaisons, on a regular basis.

The chair will lead regular meetings with the six chairs that make up the council as well as the liaisons.

Recognizing that the incoming chair will be assuming the role during a time when many initiatives are in the works and while planning is going on, the incoming chair will be expected to help these initiatives to fruition while having the latitude to explore and recommend additional approaches and initiatives. In fact, as part of their application the chair is encouraged to include the 8 – 10 goals they would like to accomplish during their tenure.

The ECE Chair term is a three year term beginning in June 2021, and will align with the three-year term of the next NATA president. The successful candidate is expected to shadow the current chair beginning in September 2020. The period of shadowing from September 2020 – June 2021 will not be compensated.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will:

  • Hold the ATC credential.
  • Have a NPI number.
  • Be a member, in good standing, of the NATA.
  • Possess several of the following qualifications:
    • Have full-time academic appointment or be recognized as part of an academic faculty.
    • Have experience as a program director and/or CAATE site visitor.
    • Have served on (preferably chaired) an NATA committee, ideally with the ECE or a closely allied group.
    • Show leadership at institution, state, district or national level, especially in educational environments, education policy or educational programming for events.
    • Have demonstrated a commitment to athletic training education.
    • Demonstrate consensus-building skills.
    • Understand the roles, function and interaction between the NATA, NATA Foundation, BOC and CAATE.
    • Available to travel as needed (up to 20 work days/year).

NATA Support

The successful candidate must obtain 25% release time for the assignment. Support will be provided by national office staff.  

Timetable

  • August 14, 2020 - Electronic applications due.
  • August 24 – 31, 2020 - Selection panel interviews finalists.
  • September, 2020 - Incoming chair begins shadowing current chair.
  • June, 2021 – Incoming chair assumes ECE Chair role.

 

Application Process

Interested parties should submit the following documents electronically by August 14, 2020. 

  • Cover letter summarizing relevant experience and interest in the vacancy. (Again, applicants are encouraged to include 8 – 10 goals they would like to accomplish during their three-year term.)
  • Curriculum vita.
  • Letter from dean/department chair/supervisor expressing support for the candidate’s application.
  • Proposed budget that includes the amount of release time (i.e. 25%) needed. This document should be signed by both applicant and dean/department chair/supervisor.
  • Proposed operational budget including estimate of annual billing for phone and internet charges, travel (estimate 4 to 5 trips a year), equipment and office supplies. (Travel for NATA is covered by NATA, and can be handled by NATA travel agent. If there are no requirements for travel to be handled by applicant’s institution, travel estimate may be excluded.)
  • Any other budget items required from your organization that are not covered in the two above items.

Send the electronic application to anitaj@nata.org.  Subject line should say: Executive Council for Education Chair Search.

Direct questions about the search process to: anitaj@nata.org.

Direct questions about the position to: Executive Council for Education Chair, MaryBeth Horodyski, EdD, LAT, ATC, FNATA, horodmb@ortho.ufl.edu.