VCU SOM CERT Program Coordinator/Office of Graduate Education Large Course Tutor 2025-2026

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education.

Summary:

The Department of Premedical Graduate Health Sciences Certificate Program is seeking to hire hourly CERT Coordinators.

CERT Coordinators provide administrative support for a variety of ongoing program needs and Tutoring support for large Graduate Education courses (i.e., ANAT 608, ANAT 611, ANAT 612, PGHS 505, PGHS 510, PGHS 601, and PGHS 602) for which CERT students represent either the sole enrollees or a large fraction of the enrolled student cohort. The CERT Coordinator team will consist of four Premedical Coordinators, each of whom will dedicate approximately 15-25 hours per week to the position. Coordinators will interface with a permanent full-time CERT Administrator and report directly to the CERT Program Director. CERT Coordinators are hourly VCU employees ($21.00/hour) and no benefits are included; passing a background check is required for employment.

We are looking for individuals who have exhibited strong academic success in the CERT curriculum, are able to simultaneously manage multiple workflows, have excellent command of written and spoken English language, exhibit strong interpersonal skills, and will serve as exemplars of the highest standard for ethical and professional behavior. Coordinators are expected to successfully complete new employee and annual training and to maintain compliance with applicable laws and VCU policies throughout their employment. Experience with Microsoft Office applications is required; strong data analytical skills are a plus.

CERT Coordinators will work in a hybrid environment that includes a combination of in-person (CERT office located on 1st floor of Sanger Hall) and online modalities; actual work hours and locations are subject to State, local, and University guidelines and per agreement with the CERT Director.

As a CERT Coordinator, you will gain valuable insight into the medical and dental school admissions process, meet key stakeholders, and gain invaluable experience working collaboratively with a dynamic team in a professional office environment. You will also have the opportunity to develop interpersonal communication, teaching, and mentoring skills through Tutoring and academic advising activities.

First line of contact - As a CERT coordinator, you will be the first point of contact for all inquiries coming into the office. You will be responsible for answering the phones and for managing responses from the CERT email in a timely manner.

Tutoring - As a CERT graduate, you have experience with the course materials and successful strategies for completing assignments and exams. Your expertise as a course tutor will be a valuable component of the support provided to current CERT, M.S., and Ph.D. students. Tutors will promote student success by: a) providing course-specific advising and exam preparation suggestions, b) answers and explanations to example questions and practice problem sets, and c) maintaining individualized oversight of student performance, identifying at-risk students, and providing outreach/referrals to CERT Office or Director and other VCU support mechanisms. Tutoring activities are expected to require ~2 hours/week/course, and Coordinators are expected to Tutor for at least one course per semester.

Admissions - You will actively track incoming applications using VCU-specific software, maintain contact with applicants as necessary, and participate in CERT team-based review and admissions decision-making for CERT applicants in the 2025-2026 academic year (i.e., Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 matriculation dates). Coordinators will review and respond to pre-application ‘QuickLook’ forms submitted by prospective applicants, and correspond with prospective and active applicants using email and video meeting (Zoom) software, participate in periodic recruitment events such as monthly ‘Get on Track with a VCU health Sciences Post-bac’ webinars, and develop new recruitment materials for digital marketing and social media purposes.

Orientation Workshops - You will also help design and implement pre-matriculation workshops as part of an enhanced CERT orientation experience. Duties may include: design and implementation of registration and attendance tracking tools, creating supporting documents, scheduling of workshops, and outreach & coordination with workshop leaders among VCU faculty, administrators, and support staff.

Academic Advising - You will be responsible for advising current CERT students and recent alumni regarding course selection, course add/drop/withdraw dates and procedures, planning a successful medical or dental school application, successful strategies for MCAT/DAT test review, etc. You will also be involved in the design and implementation of workshops offered throughout the academic year that focus on study and time management skills, writing a personal statement, successful interview strategies, application to post-CERT M.S. programs, the medical/dental school admissions process, and more. You will work creatively with the CERT team to identify new workshop topics and modalities, coordinate invited guests (e.g., VCU SOM and SOD Admissions personnel, Division for Academic Success, etc.), and communicate workshop scheduling to CERT students.

VCU SOM, VCU SOD, and VCOM Guaranteed Interview- You will work with CERT graduates and the VCU SOM/SOD or Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) to coordinate interview scheduling, application review, and transfer necessary applicant information.

Required Qualifications:

• Successful completion of VCU CERT program with 3.5 or higher GPA within two semesters.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Position will remain open until filled.