Communications Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Veterinary Communication for Professional Excellence program in the Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital invites applications for a 1-year renewable fellowship in veterinary communication. This training program is open to health care professionals with exemplary teaching experience and consists of advanced post-graduate instruction in coaching veterinary communication.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Provide instruction as the course coordinator, instructor, or coach in each year of the communication curriculum (i.e. Communication Modules in “Foundations in Veterinary Medicine” (Years 1 and 2), Junior Practicum “Clinical Communication Skills” Courses, Grand Rounds, and Community Practice Senior Rotation).
• Respond to student needs and concerns in a timely manner.
• Deliver professional development communication coaching workshops for veterinary faculty, practitioner coaches, and simulated clients (SCs).
• Update coach and simulated client training materials (e.g., schedules, readings, and procedures).
• Provide continued support, feedback, and sustain relationships with communication coaches and simulated clients (SCs).
• Arrange for or substitute for coaches or simulated clients due to illness or emergency.
• Conduct instructor briefings to prepare for the course and debriefings to identify strengths and areas for growth for curriculum improvement.
• Grade student assignments and support coach grading of video reflection papers.
• Conduct training, provide support, and monitor progress for course grading support.
• Complete administrative and organizational tasks for course coordination.
• Update, post, and manage course materials on the learning management system (i.e. Canvas).
• Collaborate with communication coordinator and provide guidance for course preparation.
• Collaborate with course coordinators in preparing course materials and communication with students, coaches, and simulated clients.
• Communicate with the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE) regarding the needs for simulated clients, and address concerns regarding simulated client performance and professional development.
• Collaborate with faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks on implementation of the communication curriculum.
• Coordinate, evaluate, and grow the Elanco Excellence in Communication Award program, recognizing student communication performance based on video review and evaluation.

Required Job Qualifications

• Requirements include doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DVM, MD, or DNP) or thesis-based masters (MA, MS, or MPH) in interpersonal or health communication, veterinary, medical, nursing education, learning and development, or related field
• Demonstrated expertise in higher education, professional development, or healthcare settings

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Content expertise in provider-patient or veterinarian-client-patient interactions.
• Strong instructional record based on student, participant, or peer evaluations.
• Familiarity with experiential learning, adult learning theory, reflective practice, and curriculum or workshop design.
• Student and relationship-centered epistemological approach.
• Ability to implement an existing curriculum infrastructure.
• Facilitation skills, communication coaching, or workshop delivery.
• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Experience implementing principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.