Assistant or Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy

Position Announcement

The new Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program in the College of Health Sciences at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, seeks a doctoral-prepared occupational therapist to join an innovative team of instructors within the University’s new Occupational Therapy program, in compliance with ACOTE educational standards. The successful candidate will develop and teach graduate level occupational therapy courses, with priority selection given to those applicants with expertise in mental health, children and youth, adult or older adult practice experience. In addition, the successful candidate will engage in student advisement and service to the University. All OTD faculty develop an agenda relative to research and/or scholarly activity for student capstone mentorship and involvement. Faculty members exemplify the teacher-practitioner-investigator model by following excellent teaching practices, scholarly activity, and professional behaviors consistent with the mission of Utah Tech University.

This is a 10.5-month faculty position, with a desired start date of June/July 2023 (initial workload will be non-instructional in course development until teaching can begin). More information about the college, faculty, and degree offerings can be found online at https://health.utahtech.edu/ .

Responsibilities

• Serve as course director and maintain currency with health care trends, research, and OT practice, especially as it relates to area of expertise.
• Provide evaluations that are appropriate, equitable, professional and provide constructive feedback to the student.
• Exhibit objectivity in all dealings with students and in all aspects of the learning process.
• Continually adapt teaching strategies in the implementation of the course to meet the needs of all students.
• Treat confidential information about students, colleagues and others with fairness, discretion and integrity.
• Develop and maintain proficiency in teaching areas through investigation, formal education, continuing education, and/or practice.
• Participate in evaluation of teaching methods and curriculum, and modify both in response to feedback.
• Serve as academic advisor for students in the OT program or interested in the program.
• Serve as doctoral experience/capstone project mentor, as appropriate.
• Supervise student graduate research projects.
• Contribute to the advancement of OT through research, practice, and/or service.
• Pursue opportunities to publish/present occupational therapy/research activities.
• Assist with clinical instruction of students as appropriate.
• Participate in the University governance and/or occupational therapy department, College of Health Sciences, committees.
• Carry out assigned duties with punctuality and professional competence. Except in cases of emergency, they shall not be absent from their assigned teaching or other assignments without first informing the Department Chair or the appropriate administrator.
• Maintain active membership in state and national professional associations.
• Collaborate in and contribute to the preparation of academic reports and accreditation self-studies.
• Prepare and implement a faculty development plan annually.
• Perform defined faculty duties, including holding office hours, attendance at department and division meetings, and adherence to college, division, and university policies and procedures.
• Provide regular institutional service as outlined in regent and university policy.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification by NBCOT as OTR.
• Possess a post-professional doctoral degree from a USDE-recognized regionally accredited institution. The doctoral degree is not limited to a doctorate in occupational therapy. Candidates who are near completion (e.g., ABD) of a doctoral program will be considered.
• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in the state of Utah.
• Minimum of two years of professional practice experience.
• Intermediate to advanced clinical skills in the primary area of teaching.
• Skilled in application of research and evidence-based practices to new environments.
• Knowledge, skills and mindset as a creator and/or innovator and/or entrepreneur.
• Superior written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills needed for working with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient with computer technology and strong organization, problem-solving, and counseling skills.

PREFERRED OR DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in academic program or curricular development and knowledge of ACOTE standards.
• Teaching experience at the college/university level.
• Experience with online teaching.
• Experience in scholarly activity.

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time (10.5-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service, as well as pay and benefits, begins June/July 2023. Annual salary commensurate upon qualifications & experience; additional compensation available for overload teaching. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, employee assistance and wellness programs, life, disability, retirement, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under 'Benefits Summary' for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins May 1, 2023 ; position open until filled. Candidates must submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three professional references (including email addresses), transcripts, and a Student Success Statement (1-2 pages about their teaching or other experience, successes, and challenges in working with a diverse student population). Please upload all the requested documents when you submit your application. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and certification of required degrees and upon successfully passing a background check. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of 'active learning. active life' and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our university is located in picturesque southwestern Utah with its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. The nearest metropolitan area is Las Vegas, NV (120 miles), with amenities such as an international airport and professional sporting teams. Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 12,000 students. We offer over 230 programs, including masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, inclusive, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to Affirmative Action and within its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University’s non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@utahtech.edu , HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Abby DeFeo - titleix@utahtech.edu , 435-652-7731.

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://titleix.utahtech.edu/ or contact:

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov , 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov , 303-844-5695.

The University provides key institutional information regarding Academics, Campus Safety, Student Services, Employment Laws, and other requirements per the Higher Education Act and other consumer information requirements to prospective students, students, UT employees, and prospective employees online at https://utahtech.edu/right-to-know/ .

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification.