OTD Doctoral Capstone Coordinator

Develop and Refine Doctoral Capstone Education Program | Promote In-Depth Knowledge

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 the Doctoral Capstone Coordinator 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 DCC to help shape the curriculum and the capstone education offerings.

The program has applied for accreditation and has been granted Candidacy Status. The program must 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 Doctoral Capstone Coordinator (DCC) will be responsible for developing and refining the doctoral capstone education program to ensure comprehensive integration of scope and content into the OTD curricular design. The DCC is responsible for the Program’s coordination, management, and compliance with the doctoral capstone requirements of Standards Section D.1.0 set forth by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). The DCC’s primary responsibilities are to ensure that the doctoral capstone is an integral part of the program’s curricular design and accurately reflects the sequence and scope of the content in the curriculum. The DCC is responsible for supporting the development of capstone experiences that promote in-depth knowledge in the designated areas of interest, including clinical practice skills, research skills, administration, leadership, program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development.

The DCC is a full-time (12-month) tenure-track core faculty member with 45% reassigned administrative time for the management and administration of the doctoral capstone program. The DCC has standard professional responsibilities in teaching and advising (40%), along with service and professional development (15%) all in alignment with the mission and philosophy of the developing Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES FOR SCHOLARSHIP OF TEACHING AND LEARNING: 

• Develops capstone course materials, including writing course syllabi and developing appropriate instructional methods.
• Teach assigned OTD capstone courses meeting program standards for student and peer evaluations.
• Mentor student scholarly projects and capstone experiences/projects.
• Delivers current content in areas of expertise in an active, learner-centered format.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUITES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, implements, and manages the doctoral capstone program for the preparation and education of OTD students, ensuring that it reflects the sequence and scope of the curricular design.
• Guides curriculum design, planning, scheduling, and assessment of the capstone program as it relates to the learning outcomes ensuring students are developing in-depth knowledge in the designated area of interest and ensuring compliance with ACOTE standards.
• Develops, communicates, and enforces the Clinical Education Handbook to include policies and procedures related to doctoral capstone education while ensuring consistency with the Faculty and Student Handbooks.
• Educates and advises academic faculty about the goals, elements, and processes used to collaborate with students for the development and execution of the doctoral capstone experience and project.
• Mentor students in cultivating relationships and professional communication with community partners to identify and recruit capstone sites that reflect the sequence and scope of the OTD curriculum to allow for the development of in-depth knowledge in designated areas.
• Collaborates with students to educate sites and mentors about the doctoral capstone education requirements and standards to ensure compliance.
• Coordinates and oversees site contracts and student onboarding processes.
• Supports the management of the clinical database to document the criteria and process for doctoral capstone development, placement, and assessment.
• Provides support and guidance to ensure quality experiences for student learning.
• Collaborates with students, capstone sites, and faculty mentors to evaluate student performance and their ability to integrate didactic and clinical learning experiences to show progression within the curriculum.
• Collects capstone assessment reports and confirms completion/dissemination of capstone requirements as outlined in the D Standards.
• Maintains formal and appropriate documentation to demonstrate sites alignment with the curricular design and site mentors’ areas of expertise in their field.
• Collects capstone assessment reports/surveys to guide program assessment and strategic planning.
• Understands ACOTE and University-specific accreditation standards and adheres to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards.
• Demonstrates the characteristics to conduct self ethically and professionally by the mission of BCU and current occupational therapy practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES FOR SERVICE AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

• Serves on University and/or departmental committees as assigned.
• Participates in professional organizations at local, state, and/or national levels serving as University liaison.
• 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.
• Engages in scholarly activity and maintains an active Professional Development Plan and research agenda as relevant to capstone education, the DCC position, and the Program’s Scholarship Agenda.
• Demonstrates a commitment to show strategies for professional development in the scholarship of discovery, integration, application, and/or teaching and learning.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Earned clinical or post-professional doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy or a related field (OTD, DrOT, DSc, EdD, ScD) awarded by an institution accredited by a regional 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.

EXPERIENCE PREFERRED (but not required):

• Expertise in the following areas: evidence-based practice, clinical and community practice.
• Four or more years of post-licensure clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist.
• Prior experience as DCC, capstone site/faculty mentor, or fieldwork educator in clinical practice.
• Prior teaching experience in an academic program and/or administrative experience in clinical practice.
• 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.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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:

• A cover letter outlining your experience as an occupational therapist in higher education and clinical practice/educator.
• A complete CV outlining your career in higher education and within health-related areas.
• The names of three professional references, including their relationship to you, their position, email, and direct phone numbers.

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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