SCH OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES - Occupational Therapy Program Director and Faculty

Job Classification

  

Position summary

Founding Program Director of a new doctoral program in occupational therapy (OTD). The Director will lead efforts in developing and supervising the program including leading the accreditation process with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and ensureing compliance with the state and professional bodies. Primary responsibility includes developing an innovative program, including crafting the program’s mission, vision, goals and strategic planning, administration, budget, faculty and staff recruitment, and assessment. The Director will provide professional leadership and support for teaching faculty, serve as a mentor and facilitator for faculty, and enable an environment that fosters creativity.

Qualifications summary

• Earned entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited program.


• Earned Doctoral Degree in occupational therapy or a related area awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education


• Current certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.


• Licensed or eligible for OT licensure in Michigan.


• 8 years experience in OT including clinical, administrative, teaching and research.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

OTD Program Director duties include:  

• Direct the development of the mission, vision, goals, learning outcomes and strategic plan for the program in alignment with School of Health Professions and Andrews University.


• Promote the mission and vision of the University, School of Health Professions, and the Physical & Occupational Therapy department.


• Oversee the ACOTE accreditation process and the development of policies and procedures within the Program.


• Lead in advancing the OTD program within the Institute as well as the local and regional community.


• Provide management and administration of the OTD program including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, attainment and maintenance of accreditation, and commitment to strategies for professional development.


• Work with Admissions to recruit qualified applicants for admission to the OTD program


• Maintain and build relationships with internal/external partners and health care institutions to set up and oversee clinical rotation experiences for the students.


• Support and administer contemporary relevant learning with proper documentation


• Provide administration of the OTD program including overseeing development and appropriate management of all experiential learning sites, relationships, policies and procedures; participate in fiscal administration, curriculum development and coordination, design and operation of program facilities, and selection/coordination of any program-specific external facilities and instruction; provides professional leadership and support for teaching faculty, serves as a mentor and facilitator for faculty, and enables an environment that fosters creativity.


• Establishes and maintains the OTD academic program by overseeing curricular development, delivery, and evaluation processes and procedures, as well as teaching within the developed curriculum


• Actively engage in faculty/staff meeting on a regular basis to review ongoing program needs and activities


• Oversee OTD program associated faculty.
  
  
  
  • Review all course evaluations with the faculty member and establish an improvement plan as appropriate
  
  
  • Periodically review online courses to monitor performance and student interaction    
  
  
  
  


• Mentor all new faculty on best practice for conducting online course


• Assist in resolution of any problems that arise between students and associated faculty


• Present, to PT Faculty Council, student cases who are not meeting academic or professional standards of the program and require action.  


• Develop OTD budget for presentation to Department Chairperson and monitor budget on a monthly basis. This includes forecasting student enrollment, equipment needs, associated faculty salaries, etc.


• Develop an annual marketing plan in collaboration with University Communication for all course offerings in the OTD program and continuing education courses and monitor the execution of this plan throughout the year.


• Engage in recruiting and marketing at professional meetings by working in the Andrews University booth.


• Conduct regular assessment of the OTD program, including academic content, curriculum design, program goals and student learning outcomes and implement change as appropriate


• Maintain program morale and motivate faculty/staff within the OTD program.


• Explore and pursue new opportunities for the OTD Program


• Monitor accreditation issues and assign appropriate responsibilities to assure compliance.


• Maintain program morale and motivate faculty.


• Supervise the admissions process and administer student admissions policies.


• Develop and upgrade OTD program and student handbooks.


• Serve as liaison to professional organizations, state agencies, and other educational entities.


• Monitors and adjusts academic standards and curriculum content.


• Collaborates with the Curriculum Committee, Faculty Council and the Department Chairperson in the development of long-range program goals.


• Assists dean and program directors of the various schools and departments in promoting interprofessional scholarly activities and learning opportunities in fulfillment of the mission of the University and its programs


• Monitors success of program graduates.


• Schedules OTD courses and recommends to the Department Chairperson OTD faculty teaching loads.


• Monitors student progress and maintains accurate records per university guidelines.


• Conducts personal research and pursues personal professional development.

As faculty member duties include:

• Carry regular faculty responsibilities related to teaching, service, research, and administration.


• Work independently and coordinate work with colleagues and peers.


• Prepare course materials, deliver lectures, conduct labs, administer and grade student assignments/examinations.


• Develop quality learning experiences that promote critical thinking in students


• Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.


• Evaluate students' performance to determine their ability to integrate didactic and clinical learning.


• Design and conduct research in particular field of knowledge.


• Present and publish research findings in peer reviewed forums.


• Direct, advise and provide mentorship to doctoral students in research.


• Student advising and mentorship on academic curricula.


• Serve on department and university committees as assigned by Department Chairperson.


• Participate in curriculum development and assessment.


• Arrange accommodations for students with special needs based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


• Attend Department, School and University faculty meetings and committees as scheduled.


• Evening and weekend hours may be required.

Supervisory responsibilities

• Supervises OTD faculty, graduate assistants and student workers

Qualifications

• Earned entry-level occupational therapy degree from an ACOTE accredited program.


• Earned Doctoral Degree in occupational therapy or a related area awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education


• Current certification by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.


• Licensed or eligible for OT licensure in Michigan.


• Minimum of eight years documented experience in the field of occupational therapy, this experience must include:
  
  
  
  • Clinical practice as an occupational therapist;
  
  
  • Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting;
  
  
  • Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning)
  
  
  • At least 3 years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post baccalaureate level.
  
  
  
  


• A working knowledge of ACOTE Standards and expectations is required.


• Effective leadership, including exceptional organizational skills are required.


• Prior administrative experience in program planning, implementation and personnel management is highly desired.


• Previous experience in the accreditation process through ACOTE is preferred.


• Ability to foster and develop relationships and build consensus with the faculty and staff, as well as with local, regional and national healthcare communities is essential.


• Working knowledge of interprofessional healthcare relationships and a desire to foster those relationships through intentional implementation in the curriculum


• An active member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church preferred.

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

Must be proficient with Microsoft Word Business Suite including excel and access. Knowledge of basic statistical manipulations, financial and accounting processes. Possesses critical inquiry skills and judgment necessary to guide and interact with faculty, staff and students. 

Interpersonal interactions

Must excel in leadership, teamwork and possess a servant heart. Must be effecitve and confident in verbal and written communication, especially in the area of martketing and recruiting for this new program. 

Physical demands

• Physical demands of this job are in keeping with being a faculty member in an educational institution.


• Be able and available to travel by personal vehicle or commercial transportation for distant assignments.


• Be able to be away from home for two or more days at one time.


• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work environment

• Office space, lecture hall, laboratory space, university library, various on campus conference rooms, occasional off-campus clinical sites, faculty lounge, work and storage areas.


• Work in close quarters with other faculty, staff, and students.