Department Chair - Occupational Therapy Program

Description:

Job Description Summary:
The program director for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) programs at Samuel Merritt University is responsible for the administration, academic programming, and academic leadership of the department. The program director oversees the overall planning of the curriculum, maintains the standards for professional accreditation, budgeting, recruitment of faculty, staff, and students, evaluations, maintains good communications, assists with marketing strategies, assist in professional development, guides faculty-student relationships, ethical behavior, program evaluation, ongoing curriculum development, upholds academic policies and works collaboratively with members of the university community. This position includes both administrative and teaching functions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities:

Other duties may be assigned.

Budgeting:

Time Allocated: 15%

• Determine the needs of the department, planning, Justifying, and submitting the budget for each fiscal year.
• Manage Budgetary and fiscal matters in a fair and equitable manner.
• Oversee the ordering of equipment, supplies, teaching materials, and equipment for the department. Overseeing the maintenance of the equipment and facilities through appropriate services.
• Negotiate faculty and staff salaries with the Academic Vice President.
• Procure funds for work-study students.
• Maintain a fair and equitable budget for accreditation fees.

Planning:

Time Allocated: 15%

• Develop and maintain the OTD & MOT degree programs that integrates critical thinking, research skills, and professional competencies which meet or exceed the ACOTE standards.
• Develop curriculum in the MOT & OTD program that meet the ACOTE standards, follow the philosophy of the program and address new trends in the field of occupational therapy.
• Plan a unique curriculum that promotes academic rigor and obtains national accreditation.
• Provide departmental policies and procedures that are compatible with the university.
• Plan faculty meetings and committee assignments which integrate the department with outcomes and efficacy of the professional curriculum.
• Implement program evaluation plans that foster ongoing assessment of the curriculum.
• Conduct regular curriculum reviews to assure updates and relevance to meet students’ learning in an evolving environment.
• Participate in strategic planning, external affairs, and service to the community.
• Facilitate library acquisitions of resources for teaching and research.

Recruitment:

Time Allocated 10%

• Oversee student recruitment, selection, advisement, retention and professional development.
• Oversee advertising, recruiting, selecting a search committee, interviewing, and recommending appointment for qualified MOT & OTD faculty.
• Conduct information sessions to recruit qualified students.
• Work closely with the Academic Vice President, Vice President of Student Affairs, and the Admission Office to recruit a qualified applicant pool.

Physical Facilities:

Time Allocated 10%

• Oversee the assignment of offices for faculty and staff.
• Oversee the upkeep and maintenance of the laboratories.
• Assure equipment maintainance in good working order and that faculty have the supplies they need for instruction including digital needs.
• Oversee space utilization of laboratories, offices, and storage space.

Professional Development:

Time Allocated 10%

• Assist faculty in obtaining rank and promotion through short and long range plans for professional development addressing teaching, service, and scholarship.
• Secure funds to assist with the travel and registration fees for professional conferences and other professional development opportunities.
• Provide or oversee orientation to new faculty and students.
• Encourage faculty and student participation in state and national organizations.
• Provide annual evaluations of faculty performance and assist faculty to develop professional goals and plans for continuous improvements in teaching, service, and research.
• Oversee and provide opportunities for inter and intra departmental learning opportunities, such as in-service, journal review, and scholarly presentations to continuously develop academic skills.
• Provide opportunities and support faculty members in scholarly activities.
• Provide opportunities and support faculty members in providing service to the department, the university, and the community.

Reports and Documentation:

Time Allocated 15%

• Develop an MOT & OTD strategic plan with regular updates.
• Complete accreditation reports with honesty and integrity in a timely manner.
• Inform ACOTE of any adverse accreditation action taken against the University or probation or withdrawal of accreditation, any transfer of program sponsorship or change of the institutions name, and resignation of the program director or appointment of a new or interim program director within 30 days.
• Notify and receive ACOTE approval for any significant program changes prior to the admission of student into a new or changed program.
• Assure that accreditation fees are paid in a timely fashion.
• Maintain a central office where student files and records are held.
• Complete core faculty annual evaluations.
• Maintain appropriate records in accordance with AOTA accreditation.
• Submit a Report of Self-Study and other required reports (e.g., Interim Report, Plan of Correction, Progress Report) within the period of time designated by ACOTE. All reports must be complete and contain all requested information. Agree to a site visit date before the end of the period for which accreditation was previously awarded.
• Comply with the current requirements of all ACOTE policies.

Teaching and Instruction:

Time Allocated 25%

• Teach courses to fill FIA beyond the 75% allocated to the Chair position and additional scholarship units allocated for rank.
• Assist new faculty in developing teaching skills and development plans.
• Nurture a climate that promotes justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, where every student thrives and feels a sense of belonging.

Education and/or Experience:

In accordance with applicable accreditation standards, the Program Director (Chair) must have:

• An earned post professional doctorate
• Hold a California state occupational therapy license.
• A minimum of 8 years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy including clinical practice as an occupational therapist.
• Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
• A record of Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, teaching and learning).
• An understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant.
• At least 3 years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post-baccalaureate level.

Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge and experience in administration, management, budgeting, organizing curriculum, schedules, multi-tasking, judgment, time management, and effective interpersonal communication skills.

Physical Effort Required:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, carry, push, pull, kneel, and stoop.
• Must be able to move about campus to accomplish tasks.
• Dexterity of the hands and fingers for computer use and handling materials.
• Ability to read, write, compose, and edit, complex documents.
• Ability to sit doing deskwork for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to receive and interpret detailed information through communication.

Additionally, we strongly desire:

• Strong abilities in marketing and promotion
• Strong inter-professional skills with peers and administration
• Experience with the accreditation process and reports for OT academic programs

The University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment, and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.

Employee Status:
Regular
Exemption Status:
United States of America (Exempt)
Time Type:
Full time
Job Shift:
Second Shift (United States of America)

Pay Range:

$150k - $200k

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.