Associate Director of Programs, CME/CDE Compliance

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Description

The Associate Director of CME Compliance serves as a skey operational leader within the Office of Continuing Medical Education at Emory University School of Medicine (ESOM). Reporting to the Director of CME/CDE, this role provides expert oversight of all accreditation compliance activities to ensure the institution's CME/CDE program maintains its standing with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP). The Associate Director leads a team of senior compliance coordinators and a project specialist. This role collaborates closely with other CME/CDE staff members, faculty course directors, department administrators, and interdisciplinary stakeholders to plan, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve accredited educational activities that meet the highest standards of integrity, independence, and educational quality.

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:

Accreditation Compliance Oversight

• Ensure the ESOM’s CME program maintains full compliance with ACCME Accreditation Criteria, Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education) and American Dental Association Continuing Education Recognition Program (ADA CERP) requirements.
• Monitor regulatory updates from ACCME, AMA, ADA and relevant specialty boards (e.g., ABMS MOC); refine internal policies and workflows accordingly.
• Review educational proposals, activity materials, and promotional content to confirm adherence to accreditation criteria, AMA and ADA credit requirements, and institutional policies.
• Ensure appropriate distinction between accredited education and promotional or commercial content in all activity materials.
• Conduct internal audits of CME and CDE activities, identify compliance risks, develop corrective action plans, and track resolution to completion

Conflict of Interest (COI) Management

• Oversee the process of COI identification, disclosure, review, and mitigation by the team of CME compliance coordinators, for all activity planners, faculty, and staff in a position to control educational content.
• Develop and maintain COI policies and procedures in alignment with the ACCME and ADA CERP Standards for Integrity and Independence.
• Ensure appropriate disclosure and management of commercial support agreements.
• Provide guidance to course directors and faculty on COI mitigation strategies (e.g., peer review, content revision, recusal).

Program Planning & Educational Design

• Collaborate with faculty course directors, departmental CME coordinators, and clinical staff to develop and implement a broad portfolio of accredited activities including live conferences and symposia, enduring materials, online learning, Regularly Scheduled Series (RSS), and joint providerships.
• Ensure all CME activities are grounded in adult learning principles, evidence-based practice, and identified educational needs with measurable outcomes.
• Apply knowledge of ABMS Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requirements and oversee applications for MOC Part II credit designation where applicable.
• Advise faculty on educational design best practices, including needs assessment, learning objectives, instructional format, and outcomes evaluation.

Accreditation Reporting & Reaccreditation

• Oversee annual data collection, analysis, and submission of the ACCME Program and Activity Reporting System (PARS) report.
• Oversee annual reporting to ADA CERP.
• Lead the ESOM's ACCME reaccreditation process, including preparation of the Self-Study Report and Performance-in-Practice files.
• Implement and maintain an annual CME activity file audit process to ensure documentation completeness and regulatory alignment.
• Prepare compliance reports, dashboards, and presentations for CME leadership, institutional committees, and senior administration.

Accreditation Management Systems & Technology

• Oversee accurate tracking and reporting of CME/CDE activities, credit hours, learner completions, and faculty disclosures by the project specialist, who serves as the primary administrator of the institution's accreditation management platform.
• Oversee the identification and implementation of technology improvements to streamline compliance workflows and enhance data integrity.
• Oversee the training of faculty, coordinators, and administrative staff on the use of accreditation management systems.

Staff Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development for CME/ CDE compliance staff.
• Foster a high-performing, service-oriented team culture that supports faculty and departmental partners with excellence and responsiveness.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for internal stakeholders (faculty, department chairs, clinical staff) on all CME/CDE compliance matters.

Quality Improvement & Outcomes

• Develop, implement, and refine processes for evaluating CME activity effectiveness and overall program impact on clinician competence, performance, and patient outcomes.
• Use data and outcomes evidence to drive quality improvement and innovation in continuing medical education programming.
• Lead internal training sessions on accreditation standards to maintain current organizational knowledge across the office staff and stakeholders.
• Develop and revise program-level policies and procedures in alignment with university and medical center policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directs the strategic planning, development, and implementation of program.
• Collaborates with representatives from private, government, and international agencies.
• Represents the program in various national and international fora.
• Conducts research, designs new initiatives, writes publishable articles and papers, collaborates with others, and designs programs.
• May supervise staff.
• Performs other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in field related to specific program as indicated and five years program related experience, or equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Master's degree preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Leadership Experience

• Experience leading or substantially contributing to a successful ACCME reaccreditation self-study and site visit.
• Experience in an ACCME Accreditation with Commendation program or Joint Accreditation environment.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience in a CME/CPD office setting.
• Familiarity with ANCC continuing nursing education accreditation, APA psychology requirements, or ACPE pharmacy education standards

Accreditation & Regulatory Knowledge:

• In-depth, current knowledge of ACCME Accreditation Criteria, ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence, AMA PRA credit system, and Joint Accreditation criteria.
• Familiarity with ABMS MOC
• Understanding of adult learning theory, educational needs assessment methodology, and outcomes measurement frameworks.

Communication:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable guidance for faculty and staff.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and influence physician course directors, clinical department leadership, and senior institutional administrators.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills for committee management and faculty training.

Project Management & Operations:

• Superior organizational skills and project management ability; capable of managing multiple concurrent accreditation workflows under shifting deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills to assess compliance risk, interpret regulatory requirements, and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and comfort with CME management platforms.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in a complex academic environment.

NOTE: This role will be granted the opportunity to work from home regularly but must be able to commute to Emory University on a flexible weekly schedule based upon business needs.  Schedule is based on agreed upon guidelines of department. This role requires residency in the state of GA. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Additional Details

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

Emory University is committed to ensuring equal access and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to seek a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at [email protected] or call 404-727-9877 (Voice) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). We kindly ask that requests be made at least seven business days in advance to allow adequate time for coordination.