Faculty - Director of Clinical Education – Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

The School of Physical Therapy seeks a full-time faculty member to serves as the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for the Hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. The Director of Clinical provides leadership, administration, coordination, and assessment of all aspects of the clinical education component of the curriculum. The Director of Clinical Education collaborates with program faculty, clinical partners, students, and University administration to ensure the delivery of high-quality clinical education experiences that support achievement of program outcomes and compliance with accreditation standards.

The Director of Clinical Education serves as the primary liaison between the program and clinical education partners and is responsible for the development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of the clinical education program. The position requires expertise in physical therapist practice, clinical education, student mentoring, and management of clinical education processes within a hybrid learning environment. The selected candidate will have responsibilities teaching musculoskeletal content to graduate students. Rank and salary will be commensurate with education and experience. This is a remote position that will require travel to the Worcester campus two weeks per semester. 

• Direct and coordinate all aspects of the clinical education program.
• Develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures related to clinical education.
• Coordinate student clinical placements and monitor student progression through clinical education experiences.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, CAPTE standards, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Maintain accurate records related to clinical education experiences, agreements, assessments, and outcomes.
• Establish and maintain relationships with clinical education partners.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse network of clinical education sites sufficient to support program needs.
• Facilitate affiliation agreements with clinical partners.
• Conduct site visits and ongoing communication with clinical education partners as appropriate.
• Provide support and consultation to clinical instructors and site coordinators of clinical education.
• Collaborate with clinical partners to ensure quality learning experiences and achievement of clinical education objectives.
• Prepare students for clinical education experiences through orientation, advising, and ongoing mentorship.
• Monitor student performance during clinical experiences and coordinate remediation plans when necessary.
• Provide guidance regarding professional behaviors, communication, clinical reasoning, and expectations for clinical practice.
• Collaborate with faculty to ensure integration of classroom, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences.
• Collect, analyze, and report clinical education outcomes data.
• Participate in program assessment and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Utilize feedback from students, clinical instructors, employers, and other stakeholders to improve the clinical education program.
• Contribute to accreditation reports, substantive change reports, and other required documentation related to clinical education.
• Participate in curriculum assessment and revision activities.
• Coordinate clinical education experiences for students residing in diverse geographic locations.
• Develop processes to support placement of students across multiple states and regions.
• Utilize technology to facilitate communication, advising, assessment, and support of students and clinical partners.
• Collaborate with program leadership to ensure alignment between hybrid didactic instruction, laboratory immersions, and clinical education experiences.
• Monitor trends and best practices related to hybrid and distance physical therapist education.
• Participate in teaching activities as assigned.
• Engage in scholarship consistent with University expectations.
• Participate in School, Department, University, and professional service activities.
• Attend faculty meetings, program meetings, and institutional events.
• Contribute to program planning, development, and assessment.
• Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) required; Academic doctorate preferred
• Licensed or eligible for license as a physical therapist in Massachusetts
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in physical therapy
• Minimum of 3 years of teaching experience at the college/university level
• Minimum of three years of full-time clinical practice experience.
• Minimum of two years of experience in clinical education, including student supervision, clinical instruction, or academic clinical education administration.
• Experience with hybrid, online, or distance education preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of CAPTE accreditation standards related to clinical education.
• Demonstrated proficiency or willingness to develop expertise in online and hybrid pedagogy, instructional technology, and evidence-based teaching practices.
• Experience teaching in online, hybrid, or distance education environments preferred
• Commitment to undergraduate, graduate and/or professional education and student success
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
• Must be able to work independently and effectively interact with a wide array of parties at all levels (students, faculty, administration/staff, alumni, and external constituents, including healthcare industry professionals)
• Record of scholarly activities commensurate with an academic appointment
• Evidence of teaching excellence

Physical Requirements: 

• Typical office or administrative working conditions. Faculty is not exposed to adverse environmental conditions. Work is primarily sedentary in nature; there are no special physical demands. 
• Ability to travel periodically for on-campus immersions, faculty meetings, student events, and other program activities.
• Work requires sitting, standing and walking as part of classroom instruction.
• Must be able to use technology, such as typing and manipulating a mouse/mouse pad
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 20 lbs.