text: The Department of Clinical Sciences in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University seeks applications for an Instructor or Assistant or Associate Professor in Veterinary Communication. We are seeking individuals with exemplary communication and facilitation skills, experience teaching students or coaching healthcare professionals, and a strong research background. The new faculty member could provide leadership, impact delivery of veterinary care, shape the next generation of veterinarians, and influence the direction of an emerging field of study – veterinary communication.
  The Colorado State University (CSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is ranked 3rd in the nation by US News and World Report, and 2nd for federal research funding by Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The CSU communication curriculum is an internationally recognized model among veterinary colleges and earned accolades from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. The program director, Dr. Jane Shaw, DVM, PhD, is one of a handful of experts in veterinary communication, and in 2018 received the Academy on Communication in Healthcare (ACH) teaching excellence award.
  The four-year post-graduate health professions degree program (DVM – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) is an intensive and rigorous biomedical and professional curriculum to develop competencies for veterinary practice. The Veterinary Communication for Professional Excellence (VCPE) program offers CSU veterinary students 52 hours of highly experiential, developmental, integrated communication education throughout the program. The communication curriculum utilizes experiential learning with simulated and actual clients, flipped classroom design, skills-based coaching, and reflective practice. The students and faculty are accomplished, dedicated, passionate, and collaborative.
  The new faculty member will coordinate, instruct, and coach in communication modules in three Foundations in Veterinary Medicine courses (Years 1-2); two immersive Junior Practicum Clinical Communication Skills Rotations (Year 3); Primary Care Senior Rotation (Year 4); and the Healer’s Art (Years 1-3), fostering social support for veterinary students. The short modular and rotation format enables balancing teaching with dedicated time for research and service.
  VCPE conducts a series of nationally recognized, transformative, experiential Continuing Education communication workshops, FRANK® (fostering open and “frank” veterinarian-client conversations) for veterinary professionals. The new faculty member will be a workshop instructor or coach for the veterinary professionals engaging in 14 hours of communication skills practice to enhance outcomes for their clinical practices, veterinary teams, clients and patients.
  In both settings, the significant feature of the instruction is a high caliber communication laboratory where veterinary students or professionals interact with simulated clients (i.e. actor-educators), receive feedback from their peers and client, and reflect on a video-recording of their performance. In the laboratory, communication coaches create a safe and supportive learning environment that allows students to take risks and be engaged learners.
  In addition to these teaching roles, the new faculty member will collaborate on and develop new research grants, and conduct research in communication, education or related fields. S/he will also contribute service on departmental, college, and university committees and may create consulting and community outreach efforts. A departmental faculty mentorship program is in place to foster faculty success for promotion. Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
  Multiple universities in the Front Range present opportunities to team up with colleagues in communication, education, healthcare, and related fields. Communication graduate programs can be found at Colorado State University, University of Northern Colorado, University of Colorado, and University of Denver.
  CSU is proud of its history as a land-grant institution and the international reputation of the highly productive faculty in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Fort Collins, CO is a beautiful and entrepreneurial college town (pop 168,000) located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. In 2019 alone, Fort Collins was ranked as a best city to raise a family and for creatives, and for economic performance. Fort Collins boasts 300 days of sunshine per year, 600 acres of parks, 285 miles of hiking and biking trails, numerous microbreweries, live music venues, and a range of industries.
  For further information about the position, please contact jane.shaw@colostate.edu or (970) 297-4007.
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  The academy of Communication in healthcare(ACH) is the professional home for all those who are committed to improving communication and relationships in healthcare.