Physical Therapy Program Director

Physical Therapy Program Director

Mary Baldwin University (MBU), in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates (SH & A), invites nominations and applications from candidates who share MBU’s passion for inclusive education to apply for the full-time ranked position of Physical Therapy Program Director. The position is located at MBU’s branch campus at the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences (MDCHS) in Fishersville, Virginia. The Physical Therapy Program Director position is a full-time, 12-month faculty member who has additional administrative responsibilities that include curriculum development, accreditation processes, planning and policy development, recruiting, orienting, and evaluating faculty, and generally providing rigorous standards for academic quality. This position reports to the Vice President/Dean of the College of Health Sciences.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Curriculum development, including courses, class structure, and content that is not only current and appropriate, but also meets accreditation standards;
• Maintain accreditation standards and oversee program accreditation activities;
• Planning and policy development, including establishing governance structures and program handbooks;
• Manage faculty and staff recruitment, professional development, evaluation, and retention;
• Assign and monitor faculty and staff responsibilities;
• Develop faculty and support their teaching, scholarship, and service priorities;
• Establish partnerships for clinical education and support the Director of Clinical Education to ensure ongoing excellence in clinical placements;
• Manage program budget, taking into consideration long and short-term planning initiatives;
• Remain current in the field to ensure the quality of the program;
• Participate in admissions, marketing, fund-raising, and other functions that support the program, as well as oversee student recruitment, selection, evaluation, advisement, retention and professional development;
• Represent program to College administrators and negotiate for program needs;
• Foster an academic climate that facilitates student, faculty and staff learning as well as professional growth;
• Develop and distribute reports for internal and external audiences;
• Collaborate with other departments and divisions to increase learning opportunities and decrease duplication of services;
• Foster beneficial relationships with professional and consumer communities, including state and national professional organizations, health care providers, community leaders, community at large, and other entities as appropriate;
• Direct effort and attention to teaching and learning processes used throughout the curriculum, promoting student-centered pedagogies and excellence in student advising;
• Keep faculty informed about the education program, pertinent policies and procedures, and changes influenced by accreditation;
• Monitor a changing health care delivery system and advise the VP of Health Sciences and faculty of changing trends and potential impact on student enrollment, instruction, curriculum design, and clinical education;
• Maintain partial teaching load as negotiated with the Dean.

Minimum Qualifications:

• An earned academic doctoral (PhD, EdD, DSc) degree;
• Licensed or eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in Virginia;
• Minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years full-time experience in a physical therapist education program;
• Currently at the rank of associate professor or higher, or eligible for the rank of associate professor;
• A record of excellence in academic leadership and teaching;
• A strong teaching dossier that includes a statement of teaching philosophy, course evaluations, and a record of previous teaching accomplishments and innovations submitted as part of the application;
• Exceptional leadership skills, including an ability to work effectively within a team that is comprised of multiple stakeholders such as faculty, senior administration, staff, and students;
• Demonstrated ability to provide support and mentorship as an advocate for change and new ideas;
• A willingness to engage with the institution and the faculty to share knowledge and expertise in their subject area.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with interprofessional education models and open to working collaboratively across health professions programs;
• Experiences in various learning technologies;

• Demonstrated expertise in various Learning Management Systems especially Canvas;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Proficiency with Apple IOS products.

About the DPT Program:

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program will prepare the student as an entry-level physical therapist who can work in any practice setting upon graduation and licensure. Course content is offered through innovative teaching and learning, integrating current technologies in a new building designed specifically for health sciences education. The DPT program focuses on developing the important skills of critical thinking, the application of evidence-based practice, optimization of patient outcomes, and delivery of compassionate care. The Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences has an emphasis on interprofessional education, meaning students from various health professions will learn collaboratively in class, lab, and through service in local and regional community settings. The DPT program is fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

About the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences:

In 2014, MBU founded the beautiful Murphy Deming College of Health Science branch campus in Fishersville, Virginia. Building upon MBU’s historic mission in the liberal arts and sciences and ethos of leadership and service, MDCHS offers professional health programs that emphasize superior education in an ever-changing healthcare environment. The College currently serves students in doctoral level PT and OT programs, masters level PA and online MHA and MSN programs, an online RN to BSN program, and other undergraduate health degrees. The College is currently developing new programs and expanding current offerings.

About Mary Baldwin University:

Founded in 1842, MBU has a proud legacy of innovating to best serve students as the world changes. MBU is a small, coeducational university offering a range of degree programs from bachelor to doctoral. The University serves a diverse student population on the main campus in historic Staunton, Virginia, at MDCHS in nearby Fishersville, and MBU Online. MBU offers unique opportunities for students to become leaders in the classroom, community, workplace, and in their own lives. In 1977, MBU was the first college in Virginia to create a program for women and men to earn their degrees later in life. With the opening of the College of Health Sciences in 2014, MBU established one of the first dozen doctoral programs of occupational therapy in the nation. In 2017, the University expanded on its long tradition of student-centered excellence to welcome its first residential men to campus. However, MBU also continues to offer special residential programs open only to women, including the Program for the Exceptionally Gifted and the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership. Together MBU’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni create a community dedicated to bringing out the best in small, private education.

About Fishersville, VA:

The Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences is located in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley and at a crossroads of culture and beautiful natural scenery. The hilltop campus is designed with a healthy lifestyle in mind with walking trails, access to fitness facilities, and amazing mountain views. Fishersville is just a short drive from Staunton, named among Smithsonian magazine’s “20 Best Small Towns in America,” brimming simultaneously with historical architecture, cultural attractions, eclectic shops, and foodie-friendly dining. Nearby Waynesboro is home to the Shenandoah Valley Art Center. Travel a bit farther east on I-64 to discover an abundance of music, fine arts, theatre, and historic offerings in Charlottesville.

Application Process:

Please submit all applications and nominations electronically to the University’s search consultant:

Danan Tsan, Vice President

Scott Healy & Associates

danan@scotthealy.com

A complete application should include the following:

1. Letter of application addressing qualifications, personal characteristics, and responsibilities;
2. Updated CV;
3. Teaching dossier that includes a statement of teaching philosophy, course evaluations, and a record of previous teaching accomplishments and innovations;
4. Three professional references with contact information.

Applications received by July 25, 2022 will receive priority consideration.  Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Mary Baldwin University does not discriminate on the basis of sex (except that only women are admitted to Mary Baldwin College for Women), nor does the University discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, age, disability, religion, veteran’s status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, admissions, co-curricular or other activities, or employment practices.