Assistant/Associate Professor - Developing Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program

Develop, Refine, Teach, and Assess Occupational Therapy Coursework | Tenure-Track | Advising

Briar Cliff University invites applications from individuals with a passion for working with rural and/or underserved communities and the desire to advance the role of occupational therapy in traditional and emerging settings for Assistant or Associate Professor for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) Program. Briar Cliff University (BCU) is in the initial stages of developing the OTD program and has applied for accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). As the program is in the early stages of development, the position offers a unique opportunity for the faculty to help shape the curriculum offerings.

The program must be granted Candidacy Status, have a pre-accreditation review, complete an on-site evaluation, and be granted Accreditation Status before its graduates will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination for the occupational therapist administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).

The Assistant/Associate Professor will be responsible for developing, refining, teaching, and assessing occupational therapy coursework to ensure comprehensive integration of scope and content into the OTD curricular design. The position is a full-time (12-month) tenure-track core faculty member with standard professional responsibilities in teaching and advising (70%), service (15%), and professional development (15%) consistent with a regular faculty role and in alignment with the mission and philosophy of the developing Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES FOR SCHOLARSHIP TEACHING AND LEARNING:

  • Develops course materials in areas of expertise, including writing course syllabi and developing appropriate instructional methods;
  • Teaches courses in the OTD curriculum assigned in content areas of expertise and meeting program standards for student and peer evaluations;
  • Delivers current content in areas of expertise for occupational therapy-related courses in an active, learner-centered lecture and lab format, with a possible option of instruction at the undergraduate level;
  • Creates and maintains an educational environment conducive to learning by developing creative, challenging, and evidence-based learning opportunities;
  • Facilitates student participation in learning activities, monitors student progress, and gives feedback and advisement as necessary;
  • Develops and administers student assessments in alignment with the curricular design, as appropriate;
  • Assists with the evaluation of students’ performance to determine their ability to integrate didactic and clinical learning experiences and to progress within the curriculum;
  • Enhances expertise in teaching content areas through continuing education, contemporary occupational therapy practice, and using best practice teaching and learning methodologies that align with the Program’s philosophy and curricular design;
  • Intentionally design, instruct, and assess interprofessional and OTD-specific content;
  • Collaborates with associated faculty to help design and creation of course objectives, assessments, and content mapped to ACOTE standards and consistent with the OTD curriculum design;
  • For interprofessional courses, create and deliver OTD-specific section course objectives, assessments, and content in the syllabus that are mapped to ACOTE standards and consistent with the OTD curriculum design;
  • Audit interprofessional classes to ensure content is being delivered consistently in alignment with the OTD curriculum design and ensure consistency of content in course sections;
  • Participates in ongoing curriculum and program assessment;
  • Convenes all classes as scheduled and reports final grades at the designated time;
  • Agrees to an open-door policy for student accessibility and engagement;
  • Maintains licensure and certification as appropriate

ESSENTIAL DUTIES FOR SERVICE TO THE UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY, AND PROFESSION:

  • Advises students on academic, co-curricular, professional and/or personal issues and makes a referral to appropriate services as needed;
  • Mentor students in integrated clinical and community-engaged experiences;
  • Participates in University activities, curriculum planning, and functions to support the development and growth of the Program and institution;
  • Serves on University and Program committees as assigned;
  • Serves as University liaison in community and/or professional activities;
  • Participates in professional organizations at local, state, and/or national levels;
  • Assists in the recruitment and admissions of students;
  • Attends department events, including student orientation and commencement exercises;
  • Performs community service and/or practice through Pro-bono Clinic or practice area of choice

ESSENTIAL DUTIES FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOLARSHIP:

  • Engages in scholarly activity and maintains an active Professional Development Plan and research agenda relevant to the roles and responsibilities of the faculty position and the Program’s Scholarship Agenda;
  • Supervises and mentors student research and capstone experiences/projects in areas of expertise;
  • Demonstrates a commitment to show strategies for professional development in the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and/or teaching and learning

PROFESSIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Demonstrates the characteristics to conduct self ethically and professionally by the mission and values of the University and current occupational therapy practice;
  • Uphold and enforce student and faculty handbook policies, as well as University policies and procedures;
  • Understands ACOTE and University-specific accreditation standards and adheres to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Earned clinical entry-level or post-professional doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy or related field (OTD, DrOT, DSc, EdD, ScD) awarded by an institution accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). All but dissertation (ABD) candidates may be considered if they meet the minimum practice requirements below;
  • NBCOT Certification;
  • Licensed occupational therapist who is licensed or eligible for licensure in the state of Iowa;
  • Minimum of 2 years of professional, clinical experience in occupational therapy;
  • Strong leadership skills and a vision for excellence and interprofessional collaboration;
  • Excellent communication, conflict management, and problem-solving skills;
  • Ability to develop, mentor, and maintain cooperative working relationships;
  • Strong organizational and time management skills;
  • Demonstrated skills in adult, learner-centered instructional methodology and technology;
  • A commitment to the educational mission of Briar Cliff University;
  • Able to work in a team environment, respectful of interdisciplinary activities

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED:

  • Expertise in the following areas: Foundational Occupation and Occupational Therapy Practice Courses, Neuro/Cognitive Rehabilitation, Productive Development with Children and Youth Practices, Evidence-Based Practice and Scholarship;
  • Four or more years of post-licensure clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist;
  • Preferred post-professional doctorate;
  • Prior teaching experience in an academic program;
  • Experience in scholarly activity, curriculum design, and program evaluation;
  • Evidence of active involvement in community and professional service;
  • Prior experience in working with rural and underserved populations

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. This job’s specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

APPLICATIONS:

A complete application should contain the following information:

  1. A cover letter outlining your experience as an occupational therapist in higher education and clinical practice/educator.
  2. A complete CV outlining your career in higher education and within health-related areas.
  3. The names of three professional references, including their relationship to you, their position, email, and direct phone numbers. References will not be contacted without written permission. 

This search will remain open until the position is filled. Applicants may contact Dr. Krusemark directly with questions regarding this position. 

Briar Cliff University is an equal opportunity employer. 

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