Adjunct Clinical Faculty/Clinical Supervisor

Sonoran University of Health Sciences shapes a healthier future by supporting students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals, by enhancing the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities, and by discovering effective treatments for humanity grounded in the healing power of nature. Our vision is a world that embraces the healing power of nature. Located in Tempe, Arizona and online, the overall environment is vibrant and dynamic, with passionate students, staff, and faculty. 

As a private institution, Sonoran University is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community for all. Sonoran community members embody and promote inclusive excellence (IE*). This includes a commitment to respecting diverse perspectives and continually advancing your understanding and practices around equity, belonging, and support for all students, employees, patients, and our greater community. You will contribute to a campus culture that embraces our core values.

Summary 

The College of Nutrition at Sonoran University of Health Sciences is actively seeking Adjunct Clinical Faculty / Clinical Supervisors for our 12-week online Applied Clinical Training Experience (ACTE) courses that are included in the curriculum for the Master’s in Applied Clinical Nutrition (MSACN) program. 

The MSACN is a comprehensive graduate degree program designed to support the complete didactic education and 1,000 hours of Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) needs of students who wish to earn the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) credential. 

The Applied Clinical Training Experience (ACTE) is a supervised clinical nutrition practicum delivered in adherence with a personalized nutrition care model that supports students in completing the Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) requirements established by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS). It also advances students’ development as competent and caring evidence-based practitioners of personalized nutrition. The ACTE courses are delivered in adherence with the competencies set by the Board for Certification of Nutrition Specialists (BCNS) and are designed for students pursuing the Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®) credential. 

Adjunct clinical faculty supervise Sonoran’s online students through timely and effective supervision, mentorship, and communication. Adjunct clinical faculty are assigned responsibilities aligned with their expertise and interact with students using Sonoran’s online Learning Management System (LMS) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) system. 

The ideal candidate will meet the BCNS standards for Clinical Supervisors and have expertise in the practice of personalized nutrition. Adjunct clinical faculty are active members of the Sonoran community promoting its mission, vision, and core values. 

Primary Clinical Supervision Responsibilities

1. Provide clinical supervision for students earning Supervised Practice Experience (SPE) hours in compliance with all BCNS standards and guidelines for Clinical Supervisors and with input from their first-level supervisor. 
2. Provide clinical supervision for students in compliance with Sonoran’s MSACN program standards and with input from first level supervisor. 
3. Provide remote supervision through Sonoran’s virtual clinic. 
4. Maintain current HIPAA and OSHA certifications and comply with HIPAA and OSHA. (Sonoran University provides access to these mandatory annual trainings to all Clinical Supervisors.)
5. Comply with all Sonoran clinical policies and procedures, including timely review of chart notes and regularly scheduled supervisor meetings. 
6. Ensure timely and appropriate referral of patients/clients to other healthcare professionals, as necessary. 
7. Perform regular evaluations of student performance.
8. Hold students accountable to all policies and procedures outlined in the Clinical Handbooks.
9. Per BCNS guidelines, supervisors must also:
   1. Complete the BCNS Supervisor Approval Application
   2. Complete the ANA Supervisor training 

Primary Clinical Teaching Responsibilities

1. Deliver expert clinical knowledge and guidance to students 
2. Serve as a mentor and role model to students 
3. Conduct regular assessments of students’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes
4. Conduct regular assessments of students’ progress on BCNS competencies
5. Provide responses to student inquiries within 24-hours (within 48-hours during holidays or weekends)
6. Engage in the online EHR portal daily (M-F)
7. Lead weekly virtual team meetings (Virtual Grand Rounds) with students
8. Hold on-on-one meeting with students, by appointment 
9. Remain current in the evidence-based practice of clinical nutrition 
10. Ensure clinical care standards remain current, accurate, evidence-based, and relevant 
11. Continuously improve clinical supervision/teaching based on feedback and evolving best practices
12. Submit feedback and student documentation in a timely manner
13. Provide timely response to communications by program leadership, preferably within 24-hours
14. Other duties as assigned

Experience

1. Experience in the practice of evidence-based clinical nutrition 
2. Education and experience demonstrating expert breadth of knowledge to effectively supervise the delivery of evidence-based clinical nutrition in a clinical setting 
3. Experience as a BCNS Supervisor is highly preferred 
4. Experience with telehealth/telemedicine is highly preferred
5. Previous instructional experience, preferably in an online setting at a college or university, is preferred 
6. Familiarity with online teaching and/or a desire to learn new technological approaches to education
7. A positive attitude, confidence, integrity, effective oral and written communication skills, honesty, and the ability to inspire
8. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality regarding patient/client and candidate issues
9. Ability to embody Sonoran’s core values: We Achieve Excellence, We Love, We Do the Right Thing, We Are Resilient, We Shape the Future.

Required Qualifications

Per BCNS standards (https://www.theana.org/become-a-cns-supervisor/) supervisors must meet all of the following qualifications:

• Hold one of the following credentials for 3 years prior to applying:
  • Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
  • Registered Dietitian with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in a nutrition-related field from a regionally accredited institution. 
  • Doctorate of Clinical Nutrition from a regionally accredited institution
• Practice Experience: A minimum of 1,500 client-facing hours
• Licensure: Must hold an LDN/LN license (or equivalent) in any U.S. state
• Ethical and Professional Requirements
  • Must review the CNS Code of Ethics
  • Must agree to the Supervisor Responsibilities and Standards

Technology requirement

Faculty are expected to have a personal computer with internet access and virus protection. Sonoran University provides a Sonoran University email account and password-protected access to faculty sections of the LMS and website, and additional faculty resources and tools.

Working environment

This position is remote/online. Subject to extensive periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse. Regular activities require the ability to quickly change priorities, which may include and/or are subject to the resolution of conflicts. Frequent communication with internal and external individuals is required to perform essential functions.

Background/screening

All candidates offered a position at SONORAN UNIVERSITY undergo a background and drug screen prior to hire. All employees must show documentation of vaccinations or provide titer results for measles prior to first day of work (unless religious or medical exemption is on file). Employment is contingent upon satisfactory outcome of all screens required of this position.

SONORAN UNIVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.

SONORAN UNIVERSITY is a smoke free campus. 

* Inclusive Excellence is the standard set by an organization to intentionally integrate diversity, inclusion, and equity into its organizational pursuit of excellence.

About Sonoran University

Sonoran University of Health Sciences is a non-profit and internationally recognized higher education institution dedicated to shaping a healthier future. Guided by our mission to support students as they train to excel as healthcare professionals, enhance the health and wellbeing of our patients and communities, and discover effective treatments grounded in the healing power of nature. We uphold our core values: We shape the future, we love, we achieve excellence, we are resilient, and we do the right thing.

The University’s College of Naturopathic Medicine, College of Nutrition, and School of Mental Health offer evidence-based programs designed to shape a healthier tomorrow by preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals.

To serve the University’s mission, the Sage Foundation for Health supports several Community Clinics focused on providing free naturopathic medical care to local underserved communities within the Phoenix Metro area. The College of Nutrition’s Virtual Center for Personalized Nutrition aims to eliminate traditional barriers to nutritional care by providing personalized and evidence-based care delivered at no cost via telehealth.

The Ric Scalzo Institute for Botanical Research is a state-of-the-art molecular biology/phytochemistry laboratory seeks to improve therapies for global health concerns by exploring traditional medicine at the cellular, molecular, and cultural level to create novel botanical solutions that support people, plants, and planet.

The University’s Clinical Care branch operates two open-to-the-public clinics at the Tempe Campus. The Medical Center provides naturopathic healthcare for a wide range of patients including but not limited to; family medicine, nutrition and digestive health, mental health and well-being, dermatologic conditions, endocrine and auto-immune concerns, and acute symptoms. The Neil Riordan Center for Regenerative Medicine focuses on non-opioid solutions to pain and pain management utilizing treatments ranging from cupping and acupuncture to regenerative injection therapies. The Medicinary is the largest natural pharmacy in Arizona, offering an expansive collection of the highest quality, professional-grade supplements, herbs, and natural health products. Every purchase made at the Medicinary helps support the Sage Foundation and its mission to provide free healthcare to those in need.

Nurture your knowledge, visit sonoran.edu

Documents needed to apply 

1. Cover letter
2. Resume/CV