Assistant/Associate Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for Occupational Therapy

Position Description

University of the Pacific (Pacific), in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Assistant/Associate Clinical Professor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) for the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT), which is housed and delivered on the Sacramento campus. Reporting to the Program Director of the entry level Doctorate in OT program, the AFWC is primarily responsible for coordinating the clinical education portion of the OTD curriculum. As this position requires significant contact with students, outside constituents, professional consortiums, and AFWC faculty at the other programs, the AFWC’s teaching responsibilities have been significantly reduced, in order to ensure that the needs of the field work program are being met. The successful applicant is expected to establish a collaborative scholarship agenda as well as contribute to graduate mentoring that supports diversity and inclusion efforts. This is an 11-month, non-tenure track faculty appointment with flexible work options. Academic rank is commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the clinical education portion of the OTD curriculum.
• Teaching, scholarship, advisement, and service responsibilities.
• Communicate between the Academic Institution and Affiliated Clinical Education Sites.
• Clinical Site Development.
• Fieldwork Educator Development.
• Ensure all ACOTE C standards are met.
• Assist in student recruitment, mentoring and student advising for success in their professional development.
• Develop and participate in inter-professional education activities between the program and other disciplines in the School of Health Sciences and the university.
• Use innovative instruction and technology in the development and delivery of occupation-based interventions.
• Promote the scholarship of teaching and learning.
• Participate in a supportive, respectful teaching environment where open discourse is encouraged.
• Conduct student evaluations and provide opportunities for learning, professional growth, and development of values for lifelong learning.
• Monitor student progress and assist with resolving student issues.
• Mentor students’ scholarly projects.
• Represent the program to community and healthcare organizations as appropriate.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Academic Program Director.

Qualifications

Key Competencies:

• Committed to Mission and Values – Has a clear understanding of institution’s mission and values. Has a passion for facilitating learning and for enabling students to navigate their own learning journey.
• Contribute Knowledge to the Discipline – Compelled by the opportunity to contribute through research, scholarship, professional practice, or creativity.
• Accountable – Takes personal responsibility for own goals and outcomes to ensure student success. Establishes clear expectations, follows through on commitments to students and holds them accountable for assignments and performance.
• Collaborative – Works cooperatively with others across the institution and beyond, including the community and through partnerships. Represents own interests while being inclusive and fair to others.
• Communicates Effectively – Adapts oral and written communication approach and style to the audience and based on the message. Also listens attentively to others.
• Drives Engagement – Makes students feel welcome, understood, and valued. Creates a learning environment that is compelling, challenging, and productive.
• Academic Discipline Expertise – Has sufficient credentials, industry expertise and/or experience in the discipline to teach according to the standards and qualifications required.
• Education Design – Designs learning experiences closely linked to learning outcomes including lesson planning, design of project, work integrated, group learning experiences, or interactive learning objects. Has depth of expertise in pedagogy, andragogy, and overall learning effectiveness.
• Teaching Delivery/Learning Facilitation Skills – Manages small, large, blended, hybrid and/or online classrooms effectively.

University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces relating to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal academic degree or clinical doctorate.
• Occupational Therapist license in the state of California or eligible for licensure within two (2) months of appointment.
• A minimum of two (2) years of clinical experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two (2) years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post baccalaureate level.
• A minimum of three (3) years of clinical experience in the field of occupational therapy.
• Ongoing scholarly achievement and research expertise.
• Knowledge of state, federal and local laws/regulation relating to OT and other regulatory standards such as Commission on Accreditation in Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and other accreditation standards.
• Experience with online pedagogy.
• Sincere desire for personal growth and development as an educator, including teaching, scholarship, and service throughout one’s career.
• Effective interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven organizational skills.
• Positive attitude, proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations and demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity and inclusion of the institutional mission and values.
• Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting.
• Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

About The Institution

About the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy Program and the School of Health Sciences:
Pacific's innovative Doctor of Occupational Therapy program prepares students to help people of all ages live their best lives by working through injury, disability and illness and practicing overall wellness and vitality in their daily routines. Instruction is delivered in an accelerated format offering interdisciplinary courses via innovative learning strategies, classroom meetings and simulation labs. Program graduates will be prepared to promote integrated health and wellness behaviors across the life-span for individuals and diverse communities. At Pacific, occupational therapy academic coursework and fieldwork are integrated into a curriculum that is founded on a biopsychosocial model, client-centered and designed to meet the diverse needs of the communities we serve.

The School of Health Sciences was built on Pacific’s long-standing reputation for educating health care professionals and features innovative curricula, accelerated programs, extensive experiential learning and clinical training for all students. All programs include interprofessional education experiences designed to prepare students to deliver health care in a team-based model. The Pacific School of Health Sciences prepares practice ready athletic trainers, audiologists, clinical nutritionists, physical therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers to meet the health care demands of our community in the Central Valley and Northern California.

About the University of the Pacific:
Established in 1851, Pacific was California's first chartered institution of higher learning. It is a private Methodist-affiliated university with campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Stockton. The University’s mission is to provide a superior, student-centered learning experience integrating liberal arts and professional education by preparing individuals for lasting achievement and responsible leadership in their careers and communities. Pacific is fully accredited and offers more than 80 undergraduate areas of study (including 12 accelerated programs), more than 30 graduate and professional programs in 11 schools and colleges, and a continuing education program.

About Sacramento:
Hailed as one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in America, Sacramento got its start as a supply center for prospectors from around the globe during the 1849 Gold Rush. Since 1854, the city has served as the capital of California, with the sixth-largest economy in the world. Sacramento is a hot spot for urban nightlife with an arts scene that includes exceptional cultural and leisure opportunities. This vibrant metropolitan region boasts a great variety of places to dine, drink, enjoy live music, and shop. In addition to ample green spaces and beautiful scenery, Sacramento offers a gateway for students, faculty, and staff to the Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, Reno, and San Francisco.

Salary:
Range: $115,000-$120,000/year. University of the Pacific considers factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market organizational considerations.

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

Complete applications should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position.
2. Updated CV.
3. Three professional references with contact information.

Applications received by March 3, 2023 will receive priority consideration. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

University of the Pacific is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity. In compliance with applicable law and its own policy, Pacific is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability.