Clinical Experience Coordinator

Duties & Responsibilities:

Summary:

The VCU School of Education (SOE) seeks a Clinical Experience Coordinator who integrates operational management with instructional leadership. This 12-month role serves as the strategic lead for the School’s clinical sequence, managing the lifecycle of field-based experiences for educator preparation programs in the SOE, including the RTR Teacher Residency and educator preparation programs in Counselor Education, Art, and Music.

At VCU, we believe different perspectives and expertise expand possibilities and lead to stronger solutions. This value guides our recruitment process. We welcome applicants whose experiences and backgrounds will enrich our community of faculty, staff, and students.

This position is designed as a hybrid of systems and support. Approximately 20 hours per week are dedicated specifically to the RTR Teacher Residency, providing specialized support to teacher preparation and induction programs through the design and facilitation of professional learning and evidence-based coaching. The Coordinator serves as the primary navigator for students, managing their logistical placements while ensuring they receive high-quality mentorship aligned with the New Teacher Center (NTC) coaching model.

Core Focus Areas:

• Student Navigation & Success: Providing clear, empathetic guidance on the "hidden curriculum" of clinical placements—from professional expectations to navigating clearance hurdles.
• Instructional Leadership: Specializing in teacher induction and evidence-based coaching (NTC model) to support resident teachers, new teachers, mentors, and coaches.
• Strategic Partnerships: Serving as the primary liaison between VCU and Virginia school divisions to align clinical placements with local hiring needs.
• Systems Management: Overseeing the data-driven systems that track student clearances and accreditation requirements (CAEP/VDOE).

Integrated Job Responsibilities:

 Student-Centered Support

• Serve as the lead point of contact for students throughout the placement process, providing high-touch support to navigate the "clearance" pipeline (background checks, TB testing, and liability insurance).
• Counsel students on professional ethics, workplace etiquette, and site-specific expectations prior to and during their field experiences.
• Manage a high volume of student outreach via email, phone, and office hours to provide status updates, deadline reminders, and clarifying information.
• Act as the first point of contact for student concerns or "placement emergencies," offering guidance and mediation to resolve performance issues or interpersonal conflicts at school sites.

 Partnership & Placement Leadership:

• Negotiate and manage placement availability by collaborating with school system administrators and VCU Department Chairs to meet specific licensure requirements.
• Use data-driven systems to match students with high-quality mentor teachers based on geographic needs and certification areas.
• Conduct periodic site visits to partner schools to evaluate the mentorship environment and provide real-time support to host teachers.

 Professional Learning & Facilitation:

• Co-plan and facilitate professional learning experiences for teacher preparation and induction programs, that include:
  • VCU Clinical Faculty
  • RTR Beginning Teachers
  • RTR Teacher Residency
• Professional learning will occur during the summer months and continue throughout the school year.
• Professional learning formats will include both multi-day sessions and shorter evening sessions, delivered in-person and virtually.

 Instructional Coaching & Induction Support:

• Supervise and support Beginning Teacher Coaches through:
  • Regular check-ins
  • Collaborative planning of coaching sessions
• Support teacher induction efforts by coordinating and aligning beginning teacher supports.
• Collaborate with program leadership and district partners to ensure alignment across professional learning, instructional coaching, and induction goals.

Systems Management & Quality Assurance:

• Audit student records for GPA and testing prerequisites to ensure compliance with Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) standards and CAEP accreditation standards.
• Analyze placement data, mentor effectiveness, and student feedback to inform future site selection and the annual revision of Clinical Experience Handbooks.
• Maintain real-time records of all placements, process mentor teacher stipends, and manage the distribution of coaching tools and digital resources.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field
• 3+ years experience with high-need school environments
• Engaging presentation skills (both in-person and virtually), demonstrating proficiency in creating and executing professional learning experiences
• Track record of preparing teachers and teacher leaders through results-driven observation and feedback coaching practices
• Ability to provide student-centered support and clear guidance on the logistical requirements and professional expectations necessary for successful clinical placements.
• Fluency in Google Suite, particularly Google Sheets, for data management with high integrity
• Fluency with Zoom for managing virtual professional learning
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders
• Effective and efficient organizational and time management skills
• Evidence of leadership and initiative
• Commitment to fostering a diverse professional environment as a staff member at VCU

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education or related field
• 5+ years experience in high-need school environments
• Understanding of the RTR Teacher Residency Program
• Experience with the New Teacher Center (NTC) coaching model and tools

Salary Range: $60,000 -$65,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Flexible Work Arrangement: No

University Job Title: Clinical Experience Coordinator

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Savanna Love
Contact Email: loves@vcu.edu