Program Director, Occupational Therapy

Position Description

Lewis University, in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director, Occupational Therapy. Lewis University seeks an experienced leader for this Full-time, tenure track position. The Program Director leads the daily operations of the OT Program, promotes excellence, and builds and maintains collaborative relationships among OT faculty and staff. The Program Director is eligible for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level, commensurate with experience. Specific duties and responsibilities of the Program Director include but are not limited to: 1) providing intellectual and administrative leadership of the faculty, staff, and OT students in teaching, research, and service; 2) managing and coordinating the program's human and fiscal resources; 3) advancing the program's mission and goals; 4) serving as a liaison for the program to the department, college and university; and 5) promoting relationships with clinical partners, state and federal agencies, and other key stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible to model the University Mission through dedicated job performance, service excellence to constituencies, respectful collaboration and active support of the University’s Mission in Catholic and Lasallian higher education.
• Provides input during the budgeting process for the Occupational Therapy program with the guidance of the CoNHS Dean.
• Collaborates with the OT faculty to design and revise program curriculum.
• Oversees the recruitment, onboarding and mentoring of adjunct faculty.
• Works with OT faculty in the creation of the course schedule for the Occupational Therapy program, including course rotations and faculty assignments.
• Directs the enrollment management processes for the Occupational Therapy Program, which includes program promotion, recruitment, and marketing efforts as well as orientation sessions and other events designed to attract potential Occupational Therapy students.  
• Oversees consistent implementation of student admission, progression and dismissal policies in the Occupational Therapy program.
• Advises students within the Occupational Therapy program.
• Responds to Occupational Therapy student concerns, issues, and requests.
• Oversees the appeal/grievance procedures for Occupational Therapy students.
• Manages the assessment of program Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), and subsequent action planning.
• Maintains records and provides reports that support effective assessment and program growth.
• Prepares the program’s self-study documents and reports to maintain program accreditation.
• Represents the Occupational Therapy program in College and University matters.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Occupational Therapy.
• Three years of academic experience.
• Eight years of experience in the field of Occupational Therapy.
• Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in the state of Illinois, or eligibility for licensure, is required.

About The Institution

About Lewis University:
Located 35 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, Lewis University is a comprehensive, Catholic university where the traditions of liberal learning and preparation for professional life give the university its educational identity and mission focus.

Lewis provides more than 80 undergraduate majors and programs of study, 35 graduate programs, and accelerated programs for working adults through the Colleges of Aviation, Science and Technology; Business; Education and Social Sciences; Humanities, Fine Arts and Communications; and Nursing and Health Sciences. Premier programs include aviation, criminal/social justice, education, nursing, and business. Lewis is one of many schools sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers with over 320 years of teaching experience in the Lasallian tradition.

Guided by its Catholic and Lasallian heritage, Lewis University is firmly committed to fostering a campus atmosphere that is permeated by its Mission-based values of Fidelity, Wisdom, Knowledge, Justice and Association. As such, we seek to be “A Place and a People Committed to Diversity.” Accordingly, we have declared the University campus to be a Sanctified Zone, a place where people are committed to working to end racism, bias and all types of prejudice by valuing diversity in a safe and nurturing environment.

About the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program:
The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program is a part of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Lewis University. The MSOT program provides students with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to assist those with developmental, physical, cognitive, psychological, and sensory performance issues. The program is committed to preparing high quality occupational therapists who act ethically, responsibly, and safely in practice.

About the College of Nursing and Health Sciences:
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CoNHS) houses undergraduate programs in Nursing (BSN, Bac-BSN, RN-BSN), Exercise Science, Public Health, Communication Science and Disorders, and Healthcare Management (adult accelerated). Graduate programs offered through the CoNHS include master’s level programs in Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Health Information Management, and Nursing (School Nurse, Health Systems Leadership, Nursing Education, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, Family NP, Adult Gerontology Primary Care NP, Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP). Doctoral-level programs are offered in Nursing (DNP), and a Doctor of Physical Therapy is in development.

About The Community

About Romeoville, Illinois:
Romeoville is a southwestern suburb of Chicago, located about 45 minutes from the city center. A village of about 40,000 residents, Romeoville is situated on the Gateway Wetlands, directly west of the Des Plaines River. Though a small town, Romeoville is home to over 600 businesses. In 2013, the village won a Gold Medal from the International Economic Development Council and Atlas Integrated in the High-Performance Economic Development category. Romeoville and the surrounding areas offer restaurants, museums, and activities for all ages.

Application Process

All correspondence relating to the position of Program Director, Occupational Therapy at Lewis University should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

Mr. Jamie Marcus, Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
jamiemarcus@scotthealy.com

A complete application should include the following: 

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Three (3) professional references with contact information, title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by September 8, 2023 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Lewis University has adopted and is philosophically committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, gender identity, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, genetic information or disability, in accordance with federal and state laws.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to: hiring, promotion, termination, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Lewis University prohibits, forbids and does not tolerate discrimination against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, marital status, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local laws. As part of this commitment, Lewis University will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with a known disability who can perform the essential functions of the job either with or without accommodation.  Employees requiring accommodations should notify the Office of Human Resources and refer to the Employees with Disability policy.