Associate Professor & Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director

Position Description

Lewis University, in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Professor & Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director. The successful candidate will design and develop this program that will be housed on the Romeoville campus. The Program Director will oversee the launch of the program, which is scheduled for January 2025. The Program Director (PD) will report to the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Chair and will work with the Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences to achieve these goals. The preferred candidate will be student-centered with excellent interpersonal skills and seeking a leadership opportunity to direct the efforts of a collegial faculty. This is a full-time faculty appointment with summer administrative responsibilities. Academic rank and salary are commensurate with experience and track record.

The PD is responsible to model the University Mission through dedicated job performance, service excellence to constituencies, respectful collaboration, and active support of the University’s Mission and Catholic and Lasallian higher education.

Responsibilities:

Teaching Functions:

• May teach up to a half-time teaching load in area of expertise based upon the program’s needs.
• Delivers curriculum in accordance with approved syllabi, according to CAPTE standards.
• May utilize blended instructional approach, a combination of face-to-face instruction and on-line instruction.
• Ensures that each course aligns with the mission Lewis University.
• Ensures all the components of courses are set up, including but not limited to the syllabus, reading and work assignments, and evaluation mechanisms (e.g., quizzes, exams).

Administrative Functions:

• Plans, directs and provides daily guidance of didactic, laboratory, and scheduling of classes.
• Reviews, monitors and makes curriculum and textbook proposals as indicated by program evaluation, accreditation/licensure requirements, and/or market needs.
• Develops curricula, and plans course content and methods of instruction in collaboration with the appropriate faculty and in alignment with the mission of Lewis University.
• Directs program activities to ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.
• Develops budgets, plans, and staffing requests for the operation of the program.
• Manages daily operations, staffing and expenses to remain within budget allocations.
• Contributes to ongoing program assessment/revision through student surveys, Program Advisory Committee meetings, and participation in University assessment procedures.
• Advises on equipment, supplies, textbooks, labs and library holdings. Selects books, materials, supplies, and equipment for training, courses, or projects used in program instruction.
• Ensures all communication regarding the accrediting and/or licensing agency, changes to program content, physical facilities, and faculty, legal receipts/requests for documents, and/or completion of required reports in order to maintain CAPTE accreditation and/or licensure status is coordinated through the appropriate Administrative Department.
• Adheres to College/University policies and procedures and conducts position responsibilities in accordance with the standards set out in the College and University’s By Laws and applicable professional standards.
• Maintains regular and timely attendance, reports to work as scheduled and as required to meet the needs of the College/University and assures time worked and/or time-off is recorded properly.
• Exercises care, proper use and maintenance of the program’s equipment and supplies and identifies unsafe conditions and makes appropriate adjustments.
• Maintains order, cleanliness and safety at work.

Faculty Oversight:

• Provides direction, motivation, informational support, technical/professional guidance, and training to program staff.
• Recruits, trains, supervises and evaluates program faculty; works to improve retention, morale and performance efficiencies.
• Holds periodic program-level faculty meetings to provide for subject matter correlation and curriculum evaluation, and to coordinate activities of full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty.
• Ensures faculty are assessing students’ performance and recording grades as required, and completing other assignments promptly.

Student Outcomes:

• Monitors and analyzes student attrition and retention data and works with other Program Directors to develop initiatives that can be implemented to improve retention.
• Ensures DPT students are provided support services to maintain the highest level of student achievement while safeguarding the integrity of the educational process.
• Ensures student satisfaction surveys are administered annually, and that the feedback is provided to DPT faculty in a timely fashion.
• Ensures processes are in place to track, monitor and record student outcomes including graduation rates, credentialing rates, and placement rates and provides required reports as needed.
• Participates in graduation ceremonies.
• Maintains the privacy and confidentiality of student information/records.

Professional Development:

• Maintains required professional credentials.
• Participates in professional development and organizations in order to maintain an understanding of current ideas, research and practices, attends meetings, workshops and seminars to enrich personal growth, knowledge and skill in management development.
• Attends at least one (1) professional development activity annually and two (2) in-service events annually.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• An earned academic doctoral degree in a biomedical science field closely related to physical therapy.
• A minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience in a physical therapist education program.
• Holds or is eligible to hold the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• A strong record of peer-reviewed publications/scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• License or regulation in any United States jurisdiction as a Physical Therapist and is eligible for licensure in the state of Illinois.
• Academic administrative experience including evidence of preparing and administering program budgets and resources.
• Active research in an area closely associated with Physical Therapy
• Experience with program accreditation.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and written and oral communication skills.
• A commitment to supporting research efforts in the program that are consistent with the College’s Strategic Plan.
• A commitment to recruiting a diverse student body and faculty to the DPT program.
• A desire to develop as an academic leader.

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 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 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program:
The Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Lewis University prepares graduates through innovation and integration of education, scholarly activities, service, and clinical care. At Lewis, students learn to optimize movement and function across the lifespan in diverse populations, communities, and individuals. They also become reflective, ethical, culturally informed, socially responsible, and innovative clinicians who will lead and work collaboratively in the ever-evolving healthcare field. Faculty, graduates, and students at Lewis passionately use movement to improve the human condition, and practice as global citizens with integrity, autonomy, inter-professional skills, and contemporary evidence-based practice. The inaugural DPT class begins in January 2025.

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 Associate Professor & Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director 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 October 23, 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.