Assistant or Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy – Program Director

Position Announcement

The Director of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) program will be responsible for leading and implementing this innovative program. The director will uphold the program’s mission, vision, goals, and strategic plans in alignment with those of the University. The Director will oversee curricular development and implementation, applications for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and will lead a team of outstanding faculty for this collaborative, interprofessional program. The program director is given adequate release time to assure the administrative needs of the program are being met.

Responsibilities

• Manage and administer the OTD program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of accreditation, and commitment to strategies for professional development.
• Participate in the development or refinement of the mission, vision and goals, and strategic plans for the OTD program that is consistent with that of the University.
  
  
• Establish and maintain the OTD academic programs by overseeing curricular development, delivery, and evaluation processes and procedures, as well as teaching within the developed curriculum.
  
  
• Participate in the recruitment, selection, management, and evaluation of a team of outstanding faculty and other staff who are appropriately experienced in higher education and/or occupational therapy.
  
  
• Oversee OTD faculty policy and procedures.
  
  
• Conduct budget preparation and management of the OTD program.
  
  
• Oversee the preparation of materials and documentation required for accreditation of the OTD program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and adhere to policies and procedures to meet or exceed these standards. Assist Dean, Department Chair, and Program Directors of the college in promoting interprofessional scholarly activities and learning opportunities in fulfillment of the mission of the University and its programs.
  
  
• Coordinate and support the development of affiliation agreements with health care institutions to provide clinical education opportunities.
  
  
• Represent Utah Tech University at local, regional, and national professional activities.
  
  
• With approval of the Dean for the College of Health Sciences, appoint and delegate authority and/or responsibility to other faculty and administrative staff, who shall assume responsibility for various activities in the program.
  
  
• Make recommendations to the College Dean related to academic policies of the OTD program.
  
  
• Coordinate committee assignments and/or serve as an ad hoc member of committees associated with the OTD program.
  
  
• Understand accreditation standards and expectations specific to the program and adhere to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards. In collaboration with the OT faculty, prepare the self-study.
  
  
• Conduct self appropriately and consistently in accordance with the philosophy and mission of Utah Tech.
  
  
• Work effectively with faculty and staff to ensure the health and achievement of the program.
  
  
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Terminal Doctoral Degree in Occupation Therapy or another related field awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. required.
• Certification by NBCOT as an OTR to act as an occupational therapist.
  
  
• Must be licensed or eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in the state of Utah.
  
  
• A minimum of eight (8) years of documented occupational therapy experience, including at least three (3) years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post baccalaureate level, clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist and an understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant.
  
  
• Recent clinical practice preferred.
  
  
• Ability to supervise administrative staff, both full-time and part-time; supervisory experience preferred.
  
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as interpersonal skills, with commitment to collegiality and teamwork. Ability to effectively collaborate with OT faculty to prepare the self-study.
  
  
• An interest in active learning, experiential learning, and student engagement are desirable.
  
  

Supplemental Information

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: Full-time (11-month) tenure-track faculty position. Faculty service, as well as pay & benefits, starts July 1, 2023. Salary commensurate upon qualifications & experience. Excellent benefits package included – see https://humanresources.dixie.edu/employee-benefits/ under “Benefits Summary” for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins April 28, 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 of 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 in order 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, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renowned for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. 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 innovative 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 requirement items per the Higher Education Act and other consumer information requirements to perspective 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.