Job Description:
1. GENERAL POSITION INFORMATION
Position Name: Program Director, Physical Therapy
Classification: Exempt, benefitted
FTE: Full-time
Location: Remote with required travel to campus multiple times per year
Work Hours: 8:00-4:30, Monday – Friday
Department/Division: Academic Affairs
Supervisor: Dean, College of Graduate Studies
2. POSITION SUMMARY
The inaugural Program Director is a strategic leader responsible for launching a hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. This individual will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for the program’s launch in July 2028.
The Program Director will offer both academic and operational leadership, overseeing curriculum development, facility planning and preparation, and ensuring compliance with the standards set by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). They will be responsible for building, supporting, and promoting the program, including the recruitment of internship sites.
Key responsibilities include providing effective leadership in faculty hiring, mentoring, and evaluation; leading program development and fiscal management; conducting program assessment activities; managing curriculum and student advising; overseeing student admission processes, and leading programmatic accreditation.
As a member of the faculty, the Program Director is also expected to teach in their area of expertise, engage in scholarly activities, and service to the College, University, and broader community.
In alignment with University strategy, policies, and procedures—and under the direction of the Provost and Dean—the Program Director will oversee all activities within the program.
3. SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
# of employees this position supervises TBD
Job titles of employees supervised Academic Faculty, Core Faculty, Adjunct Faculty
4. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Management (60%):
• Support the university mission, vision and the program’s mission, vision and commitment to training whole health providers who provide compassionate care for the good of all patients/clients.
• Provide vision and oversight of program development.
• Provide vision and oversight for program assessment.
• Ensure the design, development and administration of the didactic and clinical curriculum based on clearly articulated learning outcomes, objectives and performance criteria in accordance with accreditation standards.
• Establish and maintain communication among faculty, students and staff.
• Establish and maintain program accreditation and compliance with CAPTE and support the institutional accreditation of the University with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
• Participate in quality improvement efforts of the curriculum, program assessment, and program organization through administrative and faculty governance structures.
• Create, maintain, and report annually on longitudinal tracking documentation for programmatic improvement efforts, measuring outcomes of changes to determine levels of effectiveness.
• Conduct ongoing environmental scanning for anything that might impact the success and/or viability of the program. This includes factors such as regulatory changes related to clinical scope of practice, shifts in higher education policy or practice, career outcomes, and more.
• Work collaboratively with the Scheduler to create and maintain the programmatic class schedules with the primary objective of providing a schedule that is efficient for students and cost effective.
• Engage program faculty and staff members in analysis and reporting of program effectiveness.
• Support student success and respond to student concerns.
Personnel Management (20%):
• Lead recruitment and training of qualified faculty.
• Monitor and review performance and collaborate on development plans for all direct reports.
• Analyze faculty performance data and evidence to provide appropriate support and mentoring.
• Create and implement faculty development initiatives involving individuals and/or groups of faculty members.
• Maintain the schedule and required duties expected of support staff working in the program.
• Assign faculty to appropriate courses and other responsibilities.
• Ensure that faculty teaching and clinical schedules are accurate and meet the program and student needs.
Planning, Budgeting and Leadership (20%):
• Guide, develop, and implement a multi-year strategic plan for the doctor of physical therapy program that fosters student success, faculty and staff engagement, and integrated health.
• Participate in strategic and operational planning for the program and the University.
• Participate in the budgeting process in collaboration with the Dean and Provost to ensure appropriate resource allocation for the operational and strategic priorities of the program and the university.
• Investigate, develop, and implement strategies to create budget efficiencies and consolidate resources.
• Participate in University management and governance structures, representing the program and providing meaningful input and teamwork to better the University and the program.
• Represent the program to appropriate external organizations, groups and individuals, supporting the UWS mission and the purpose of the program.
• Participate in leadership development, or other relevant training, as deemed appropriate by the Dean and/or Provost.
• Support a culture of collegial governance.
• Foster and promote a collaborative, innovative, inclusive, and supportive culture in the college with students, staff, faculty, and administrators.
• Create an educational environment that supports student success.
• Support faculty scholarship, grants, and professional development.
5. UWS CORE VALUES AND ASSOCIATED COMPETENCIES
The following Core Values are integral to working at UWS. All employees, regardless of their position within the university, are expected uphold the Core Values and demonstrate associated competencies.
Best Practices We maintain high standards by using and integrating evidence across multiple disciplines. To accomplish this, We:
• Seek out and use relevant data to inform our decision-making.
• Incorporate peer-reviewed research and professional experiences into academic discourse and patient care.
• Promote student learning through excellence in instruction and assessment.
Curiosity We are innovative, open minded, and forward thinking. To accomplish this, We:
• Approach our work with curiosity, inquisitiveness and willingness to think outside the box.
• Value and consider new ideas and ask, “What if...?”
• Remain open to change in order to advance and improve.
Inclusiveness We are respectful, mindful, and welcoming of different ways of being, thinking, and doing. To accomplish this, We:
• Actively listen to diverse perspectives and value different viewpoints and experiences.
• Promote the equity of ideas, resources, power, and identity for all.
• Gather information and input from diverse groups to develop a common vision, improve policies and practices, and advance institutional goals.
Professionalism We are responsible, respectful, and accountable. To accomplish this, We:
• Demonstrate civility in all our interactions, especially when there are disagreements or differing opinions.
• Take ownership of our speech, conduct, demeanor, and deliverables.
• Adhere to established policies, procedures, agreements, and deadlines.
• Act as thoughtful stewards of the university and its resources.
Student-Focus We work for the common good of students’ academic and professional success. To accomplish this, We:
• Incorporate student feedback to improve academics and university services.
• When making university decisions, we ask: What effect will that have on students?
• Seek to understand the students’ experience through their eyes.
Whole-Person Health We promote physical, mental and emotional wellness in all facets of the UWS experience. To accomplish this, We:
• Intentionally cultivate environments that support work-life balance.
• Consider personal and community wellness in decision-making.
• Maintain rigorous academic standards while supporting the health and well-being of our students.
• Include a range of health modalities in the classroom and clinic.
6. EXPECTED COMPETENCIES FOR SUPERVISORS
Developing & Retaining Talent
Demonstrated ability to:
• recruit, retain, and develop high performing individuals aligned with UWS’ core values and institutional goals
• provide constructive feedback and coaching to direct reports, including individuals who are underperforming
Managing & Stewarding Resources
Demonstrated ability to:
• prepare budget(s) to appropriately support department/division functions and goals
• meet or exceed performance goals and budget targets
• effectively manage departmental resources and processes and create efficiencies
• effectively manage relationships with vendors and/or contractors
Leading & Managing Change
Demonstrated ability to:
• promote a culture of continuous improvement within department/division with a focus on effective and efficient processes and procedures
• exhibit openness to change
• provide leadership and clear communication to stakeholders
• engage employees in the change process
• commit to sustaining change
7. POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Required
Education & Training
• Earned Doctoral Degree in physical therapy awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or a previous CAPTE-granted exemption.
Certifications & Licenses
• Licensed or regulated in any United States jurisdiction and eligible or holds an Oregon PT license.
• Must hold an unrestricted physical therapist license in the state of Oregon at time of employment start.
Experience
• Minimum 6 years of full-time, higher education experience with a minimum of 3 years full-time core faculty experience with qualifications to hold the rank of associate professor or professor at UWS.
• Also has a minimum of five years, full-time, post-licensure experience that includes a minimum of 3 years of full-time clinical experience.
• Experience must include:
1. Clinical practice as a physical therapist.
2. Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
3. Didactic and/or clinical teaching experience.
4. Experience in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation and outcome assessment, including the equivalent of nine credits of course work in educational foundations, or previous CAPTE granted exemption, or proof of completion of APTA Fellowship in
Educational Leadership.
5. Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning).
6. Supervisory and/or management experience
7. Experience with budget management and budget construction processes
Related Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Experience working effectively and collaboratively as a member of a leadership team
• Demonstrated ability in executing plans to achieve positive outcomes.
• Detail oriented with strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively
• Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to effectively lead and supervise teams
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and assume responsibility for decisions
• Ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment and learn new systems and processes
• Ability to deal with matters related to due process and human resources administration
• Ability to establish and build interprofessional practice strategies
• Awareness of, and ability to comply with privacy and confidentiality standards, including FERPA and HIPAA
Other Qualifications
• Intermediate-to-advanced computer skills required (familiarity with MS Office products)
Preferred
Education & Training
• Professional development beyond the DPT degree including Master or Doctoral education, residency training, board certification in a specialty, etc.
• Evidence of scholarly work
Experience:
• Experience teaching and designing online courses
• Program development experience
• Experience working with CAPTE
Other Qualifications
• Demonstrated ability to gain user-ability with database programs such as student information systems
University of Western States offers a generous compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work for a leader in the field of education. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.
https://www.uws.edu/about/employment/
University of Western States is an Equal Opportunity Employer.