Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Job DescriptionJob Description:

Position: Program Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Department: Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Campus: Fort Wayne Campus Target Hire Date: October 2024 Position Overview: This is a 12-month tenure-track regular faculty position with an appointment in Manchester University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. Reporting to the dean of health professions, nursing and pharmacy (dean), the program director is responsible for curricular development, implementation, and assessment of Manchester’s DPT Program. The DPT program director will lead efforts to build the external reputation of Manchester’s DPT Program, resulting in interest from prospective students and faculty. He/she/they collaborate(s) with the dean and executive associate dean of health professions, nursing and pharmacy (EAD-HPNP) to achieve goals in academic affairs, program development, student success, and student recruitment, among other things. The chair also collaborates with faculty, administrators, and students to ensure integration and coordination of all aspects of the DPT curriculum including classroom, laboratory, and experiential instruction, interprofessional education (IPE), and professional identity formation activities, as well as ensures graduates meet or exceed all curricular requirements. Essential job functions: These consist of four domains: Administration, Teaching, Scholarship, and Service. Administration (40%) Program management and oversight Be a leader in support of Manchester University’s Mission: Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.Lead DPT Program meetings, the body responsible for curricular development/oversight and assessment of the DPT program, as well as recommending students for admission. Promote a culture of trust, accountability, and collaboration within the program, department, college, and university. Lead curriculum development, implementation, and quality improvement initiatives.Collaborate with the Office of Experiential Education (OEE) and the Director of Clinical Education for the DPT Program to ensure clinical practice experiences prepare students for interprofessional collaborative practice and that all student placement requirements are met.Ensure the mission, goals, and expected program outcomes are consistent with relevant professional standards and guidelines for the preparation of physical therapists.Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and administration to advance the mission of the program and the college.Ensure compliance with state and federal laws governing directly or indirectly the delivery of Manchester’s DPT Program.Mentor new faculty and staff. AccreditationLead program efforts to earn Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) accreditation candidate status in close collaboration with the dean, EAD-HPNP, vice president for academic affairs, director of assessment and accreditation, and requisite HPNP personnel.Collaborate with all relevant stakeholders, maintain CAPTE accreditation status once it is earned, including completing all required CAPTE reports and schedule, coordinate, and lead CAPTE site visits. Constitute and lead accreditation self-study steering committees to complete accreditation reports associated with comprehensive and focused reviews.In collaboration with the HLC liaison, EAD-HPNP, and director of assessment and accreditation, ensure program faculty and staff understand accreditation requirements. Manage completion of annual and/or other required accreditation-related surveys and reports (including substantive changes). AssessmentCollaborate with the director of assessment and accreditation to develop and then utilize a systematic process to determine program effectiveness, which includes program completion, licensure pass/fail, employment rates, and program outcomes.Collaborate with the director of assessment and accreditation, when implementing, assessing, and refining the program’s assessment plan/matrix.Collaborate with the Office of the Dean and Director of Assessment and Accreditation to write the DPT Program’s Annual Report. Budget managementCollaborate with the vice president for finance and chief business officer and dean when determining annual DPT Program tuition and fees.Ensure the operational needs of the program are being met by proactively working with budget partners who oversee budgets that impact the DPT Program (e.g., the EAD-HPNP, dean) during the budget planning process.Collaborate with the Office of the Dean to ensure the educational needs of the program are captured in the DPT Program budget. Student recruitment, admissions, and enrollmentCollaborate with the director of marketing and communications, Office of Admissions Fort Wayne (OA-FW) staff, and dean when developing marketing strategies. Support and actively participate in such activities to promote the DPT Program and implement recruitment strategies to meet annual enrollment goals.In collaboration with the dean, program faculty, and Office of Admissions personnel from both MU locations, contribute to the development and cultivation of prospective student pipelines.Ensure program admissions policies are clear and communicated. In collaboration with the program admissions committee and the OA-FW, develop, implement, and evaluate/revise admissions strategies. In collaboration with OA-FW, ensure published admissions information includes the full cost of attendance (tuition and fees, with itemized fees) In collaboration with the OFS, SFS, the Office of the Dean, and other program leaders, develop, evaluate, and revise as needed what is included in student fees associated with the program.In collaboration with OA-FW, OFS, SFS, and the dean, develops criteria matriculating student scholarships and awards such scholarships, pending availability of funding. Student SuccessDevelop a culture of student success throughout the program, both in their ability to provide clinically excellent care and to prepare to pass the National Physical Therapy Examination.Evaluate academic support services to ensure they are sufficient to meet program and student needs and work with the EAD-HSP to modify as needed.In collaboration with Student Life-FW, program faculty, HPNP program directors, the director of assessment and accreditation, and the Office of the Dean, develop, implement, and assess student wellness and wellbeing initiatives.In collaboration with Student Life-FW, program faculty, HPNP program directors, the director of assessment and accreditation, and the Office of the Dean, develop, implement, and assess initiatives focused on justice, equity, diversity, inclusivity, belonging, and anti-racism.In collaboration with Student Life-FW and program faculty as appropriate, manage student complaints.In collaboration with Student Life-FW, contribute to processes for graduation-related ceremonies, as applicable.Revise the Student Handbook as necessary. Academic policiesCollaborate with the EAD-HPNP to update and communicate academic policies as necessary.Collaborate with the EAD-HPNP and the Office of the Registrar to monitor student progression in the program and develop alternate plans of study for students as necessary.Advise as necessary the Office of Financial Services (OFS) and Student Financial Services (SFS) on revisions to plans for student financial aid when a student changes enrollment status. Collaborate with the EAD-HPNP when scheduling classes, labs, and exams. Ensures textbook information is communicated to the bookstore and the program website is updated to ensure compliance with federal regulations. In collaboration with Student Life-Fort Wayne (FW), deliver academic and other relevant policies and procedures during orientation. Ensure academic policies are implemented and that summaries of academic actions for the DPT Program are communicated to faculty, staff, students, and administrators as allowed by law. In collaboration with program faculty and the EAD-HPNP, ensure remediation policies and processes are appropriately designed, implemented, and evaluated to maximize student learning. Program outreachCollaborate with the Office of the Dean as necessary in developing and stewarding external strategic partnerships required for practice, educational, and scholarly achievements.Build the external reputation of the DPT Program through relationships with external partners, including hospital, clinical, and community leaders.Represent the DPT Program through participation in local, regional, and national professional organizations.Represent the program at national, state, and local meetings.In collaboration with MU Marketing and the dean, develop strategies to increase program distinctiveness, visibility, and reputation. Program personnel and cultureIdentify adjunct (i.e., associate) faculty to teach in the program and serve as the point of contact for adjuncts teaching in the program.Provide input for and participate in the annual performance evaluation process for individual program faculty (both core and affiliated) and instructional staff.Contribute to the development of individual faculty development plans, respond to faculty annual reports, and collaborate with faculty to set goals toward promotion and/or tenure.Review program faculty midpoint and promotion and/or tenure dossiers and contribute to letters for each. In collaboration with the dean, recruit program personnel (including adjunct faculty), recommends personnel for hire, assesses program needs and develops strategies for hire. Strategic planningReview the adequacy of physical resources and clinical sites and work with the DPT Program’s director of clinical education, Office of Experiential Education, and dean to modify as needed.Lead departmental strategic planning efforts designed to continuously develop, implement, and evolve practice initiatives, educational outcomes, and scholarly work.In collaboration with Program stakeholders and the Office of the Dean, lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program’s strategic plan. Teaching 30% (approximately 9 load hours/year)Provide quality instruction in didactic and/or experiential courses inside and outside the classroom.Collaborate with other faculty members to develop the curriculum and teaching and evaluation methods needed for effective delivery of that curriculum. This includes creating, developing, and evaluating innovative teaching methods that prepare students for modern physical therapy practice.As appropriate, develop and teach elective courses.Be an exemplary professional role model for students and faculty colleagues.Maintains professional effectiveness, including high quality of scholarship, intellectual integrity, professional currency, and cooperation in all phases of the academic program.Assesses student learning in all classes and implement changes to demonstrate continuous improvement.Participates in faculty governance, including attending meetings—full faculty, college, department, and committee—and fulfilling attendant responsibilities.Meets assigned classes, beginning and ending class sessions as scheduled.Maintains compliance with the academic calendar, and with policies and procedures in the Faculty Manual.Execute roles of ‘course coordinator’ and ‘lead instructor’ as necessary. Utilize student assessments to improve teaching, coursework, and curriculum.Identify and develop creative, challenging and evidence-based learning opportunities for students.Demonstrate expertise in student assessment and evaluation. Scholarship (20%)Lead and participate in the scholarship of discovery, application, integration, and teaching appropriate for the faculty’s discipline and interests.Disseminate the results of scholarly endeavors in appropriate forums, including publications, presentations, and teaching.Continuously advance contemporary academic knowledge and clinical skills for content area expertise and professional growthAs appropriate, mentor and collaborate with other scholars both inside and outside the institution. Service (10%)Serve as member of committees at the program, department, college, and university as required.If applicable, serve as a faculty advisor to student organizations.Contribute meaningfully to program, department, and academic unit developmental and planning activities such as retreats and workshops.Participate in local, state, and national professional organizations and professional development activities.Participate in community service activities as appropriate for the faculty’s area of practice, or as determined by the college or University. Qualifications: Minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level physical therapist education program. Terminal degree (e.g., DSc, PhD, EdD) Physical Therapist (with an active Indiana license or eligibility for licensure as a physical therapist in Indiana).Credentials that support appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.Understanding of current physical therapy education and practice, including experience as a physical therapist.Prior leadership experience preferably in the academic or practice environment preferred.A commitment to interdisciplinary education in health sciences.Evidence of an active research and scholarly agenda.Strong communication skills. Adept at networking with healthcare leadership on a local, regional, and state level.Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.Effective presentation skills.Ability to deliver course content and to assist students in understanding course content.Ability to provide effective feedback and coaching.Ability to adapt to changing teaching and learning environments and content-delivery methods.Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues.Ability to prioritize responsibilities, meet deadlines, and manage time.Proficiency in spoken and written English.Basic computer proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail, and internet use.Commitment to continuous self-improvement and professional development. General information: Manchester University is an independent, liberal arts university with a campus in North Manchester, Ind., where approximately 1,300 students choose from at least 60 areas of undergraduate study, two master's programs, and 21 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Our second campus in Fort Wayne is home to growing health science programs, including athletic training, nursing, nutrition and nutrigenomics, pharmacy, pharmacogenomics, and physical therapy. Manchester has a distinctive commitment to developing respect for eth

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