This page outlines the criteria used to determine clinical faculty rank at the Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine (FCoM) at Belmont University, as approved by the FCoM Appointments and Promotions Committee (APC). The rank framework considers board certification, clinical experience, teaching experience and engagement in scholarship while maintaining the flexibility needed to support FCoM's community-based clinical faculty model.
Clinical faculty are appointed within a single, non-tenure track across four academic ranks: Clinical Instructor, Clinical Assistant Professor, Clinical Associate Professor and Clinical Professor. Rank criteria are both time-based and achievement-oriented, allowing for variation in faculty members' professional backgrounds, experiences and contributions.
Core domains for rank evaluation:
- Professional qualifications
- Teaching and educational contributions
- Scholarship
- Service and leadership
Clinical Instructor
Role Definition:
Entry-level academic appointment for early-career clinicians, including senior residents*, fellows, new graduates and advanced practice providers (APPs). Emphasis on clinical teaching and participation in educational activities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Clinical degree appropriate to role (MD, DO, NP, PA or equivalent)
- Independent license to practice medicine
- Active in clinical practice
*Criteria for Residents:
- Nominated by the residency Clinical Competency Committee and program director
- Successfully completed intern year
- Passed USMLE Step 3 or COMLEX Level 3
- In good standing within residency program
- Active in clinical teaching
- Endorsed by FCoM clerkship director and department chair
Clinical Assistant Professor
Role Definition:
Early-career physicians or physicians new to academia who are committed to teaching and academic contributions.
Minimum Qualifications:
- MD or DO degree
- Completion of graduate medical education (GME) training
- Board certification
- Active, unrestricted license
- Active malpractice insurance
- Active in clinical practice
Clinical Associate Professor
Role Definition:
Mid-career physicians with sustained contributions in teaching and scholarship and emerging regional recognition. Clinical associate professors typically have five or more years of clinical experience.
Minimum Qualifications:
- MD or DO degree
- Board certification
- Active, unrestricted license
- Active malpractice insurance
- Active in clinical practice
- At least five years of teaching medical students or residents within the last 10 years
- Evidence of scholarly activity
- Experience in leadership roles
Clinical Professor
Role Definition:
Senior-level physicians with significant faculty experience who demonstrate sustained excellence, leadership and broad impact in clinical education and scholarship. Clinical professors typically have 11 or more years of clinical experience.
Minimum Qualifications:
- MD or DO degree
- Board certification
- Active, unrestricted license
- Active malpractice insurance
- Active in clinical practice
- At least six years at the rank of Clinical Associate Professor
- Evidence of sustained teaching while at the associate professor rank
- Evidence of sustained scholarly activity while at the associate professor rank
- Regional or national recognition in leadership or area of expertise