Associate Professor/Professor and Program Director of the Doctorate of Physical Therapy

The Department of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) invites applications from qualified candidates to assume a full-time, 12-month tenure or non-tenure track faculty position depending on experience. Rank at appointment will be Associate Professor or Professor and will be commensurate with past academic and scholarly record.

 Ideal candidates will have evidence of experience in CAPTE accreditation, curriculum development, management of program resources (fiscal, faculty and staff) and effective leadership. Faculty responsibilities include administration, teaching, scholarship, and University and professional service.

 Minimum qualifications:

• A physical therapist (DPT/PT) who is licensed or regulated in any United States jurisdiction as a Physical Therapist and is eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee
• Has an earned academic doctoral degree (Ph.D. or equivalent in a closely related field)
• Holds or is eligible to hold the rank of associate professor, professor, clinical associate professor, or clinical professor
• Has a minimum of six years of full time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience in a physical therapist education program.
• Knowledge and understanding of CAPTE standards and accreditation process
• For tenure track: an active ongoing research program including funded research projects and peer reviewed scholarly publications as first or senior/corresponding author
• For non-tenure track: strong record of teaching, evidence of scholarship 

Desired qualifications:

• Visionary leader with experience in curricular development and assessment
• Previous experience as a DPT program director
• Recent and relevant clinical experience
• Evidence of leadership in a professional organization at a state or national level
• Evidence of academic teaching experience and content expertise at the university level in one of the following the areas: neurologic physical therapy (adult or pediatrics), cardiopulmonary physical therapy, acute care/medically complex patients, biomechanics/kinesiology, electrotherapeutic or thermal modalities or other physical therapy related fields.

The Department of Physical Therapy

The mission of the Department of Physical Therapy (http://www.uthsc.edu/health-professions/physical-therapy/index.php) is to serve the public with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region by preparing qualified practitioners and engaging in clinical care, service, and research. UTHSC DPT prepares outstanding clinicians, as seen in excellent employment and National Physical Therapy Examination passing rates. Faculty are experts in their field, and all contribute to the mission of the Department. The Department has enacted a Strategic Plan to improve scholarly and clinical achievements, including the development of the Human Performance Clinical and Research Laboratory. The Department also houses the Movement Science Laboratory and has affiliated faculty in the UTHSC Neuroscience Institute and Department of Preventive Medicine and others that study in the Muscle Biology and Sarcopenia Laboratory and Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory. Clinical opportunities are also available in the Department’s clinical practice or through community organizations.

The College of Health Professions

The College serves as an administrative home for allied health programs offered through the Departments of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Department of Diagnostic and Health Sciences, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Existing research laboratories in the Division of Rehabilitation Sciences within the College of Health Professions include the Muscle Biology and Sarcopenia Laboratory directed by Dr. Stephen Alway, the Muscle and Neural Laboratory directed by Dr. Junaith Mohamed, the Integrative Muscle Biology Laboratory directed by Dr. James Carson and the Movement Science Laboratory directed by Dr. Kunal Singhal. The Division of Rehabilitation Sciences (https://uthsc.edu/health-professions/research/rehabilitation-sciences.php ) houses the PhD program in Rehabilitation Sciences (https://uthsc.edu/health-professions/research/rs-phd.php ) and the Center for Muscle, Metabolism and Neuropathology (https://uthsc.edu/health-professions/research/cm2n.php).

The Health Sciences Center

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s Memphis campus (https://www.uthsc.edu/about/)  comprises six colleges – Health Professions, Dentistry, Graduate Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.  The Memphis Core Teaching Hospitals include   St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, Regional One Health, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Baptist Memorial Health Care, Memphis VA Medical Center and St. Francis Hospital. UTHSC has a long and rich tradition of accomplishments in basic, clinical and translational research in a wide variety of disciplines focused on the health issues that impact our community, our region, the state of Tennessee and the world. UTHSC investigators are supported by both government grants and private funding. The Cancer Center Building opened in 2007 and is the Mid-South’s only adult cancer research facility, housing 32 research laboratories and more than 65 scientists.  The 140,000-square foot Translational Science Research Building opened in 2016 which currently houses ~ 40 investigators who are focused on cardiovascular and related diseases. Planning is underway to develop an NCI designated comprehensive cancer center. In fiscal 2019, UTHSC generated ~$100million in sponsored programs and contracts, including NIH and grants from private foundations. See https://www.uthsc.edu/research/  for more information. The UT system has a combined student enrollment of more than 49,000 students, over 360,000 living alumni, and a total endowment that tops $1 billion.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the flagship statewide, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UTHSC contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT’s doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UTHSC spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UTHSC is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state’s largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.

Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization.

Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

Application Process:

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The earliest that the successful candidate may begin this position is November 1, 2020.

 Qualified individuals should submit a complete curriculum vitae and letter of interest that outlines their qualifications and credentials, teaching experience and accomplishments and the names and addresses (including e-mail) of three professional references at https://ut.taleo.net/careersection/uthsc_faculty/jobdetail.ftl?job=2000000101&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago. Please note that references will only be contacted for finalists.

 Please direct questions to:

Richard Kasser, Ph.D., PT

Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Interim Chair and Program Director

Department of Physical Therapy

c/o Ms Bobbie Scott, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Dean: bscott6@uthsc.edu

 All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admissions without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

 Eligibility and other terms and conditions of employment benefits at The University of

Tennessee are governed by laws and regulations of the State of Tennessee, and this non-discrimination statement is intended to be consistent with those laws and regulations.

 In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, The University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the University.

Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equity and Diversity (OED), 920 Madison Avenue, Suite 825, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, telephone 901-448-7382 (V/TTY available). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity