The University of Alabama · 1 month ago
CCHS - Founding Program Director Occupational Therapy Associate/Full Professor – Tenure/Tenure Track
AL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
8+ years expThe University of Alabama is seeking a Founding Program Director for its new Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. The role involves building the program from the ground up, leading all aspects of program development, accreditation, operations, and strategic growth while focusing on expanding access to high-quality occupational therapy services, particularly in rural communities.
Marine TechnologySaaSTravel
Responsibilities
Establish and articulate the OTD program’s mission, goals, and strategic plan with a strong focus on areas of need in the state, including rural regions
Recruit, hire, mentor, and evaluate core and associated faculty and staff; foster a collaborative and innovative culture of excellence in teaching, practice, research, and service
Oversee budget planning and fiscal management; allocate resources to support academic quality and student success
Ensure effective internal and external communication with UA leadership, faculty, students, clinical partners, alumni, and community stakeholders
Direct supervisory responsibilities for faculty and staff in the unit
Oversee student recruitment, retention, and success efforts
Lead all activities to achieve and maintain ACOTE accreditation (self-study, assessment system, outcomes reporting, site-visit preparation, and continuous quality improvement)
Ensure ongoing compliance with ACOTE Standards and Required Elements, institutional policies, and applicable state regulations
Design and implement a competency-based OTD curriculum that integrates rural/community-based clinical education and interprofessional practice
Build and sustain a robust clinical education network, with emphasis on areas of need, including rural settings across Alabama
Implement program evaluation and outcomes assessment (student learning, licensure, graduation, employment) and use results for continuous improvement
Cultivate partnerships with healthcare systems, community clinics, and rural providers to support clinical placements, service-learning, and pathway initiatives
Support faculty and student scholarship and seek extramural funding where appropriate
Represent the program at state, regional, and national meetings; advance the visibility and reputation of UA’s OTD program
Qualification
Required
Initially certified occupational therapist with an active, unencumbered OT license in a U.S. jurisdiction and eligibility for Alabama licensure
Doctoral Degree from a US Department of Education recognized institution (OTD, PhD, or equivalent)
Minimum eight (8) years of OT experience that must include: Clinical practice, Academic administrative experience (e.g., program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting), Scholarship of application or teaching and learning, Understanding the role of the occupational therapy assistant, Four (4) years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the postbaccalaureate level
Qualifications commensurate with Associate or Full Professor (tenure-track/tenured or clinical track), or exceptional candidates at advanced Assistant Professor rank
Preferred
Sustained leadership in rural health, community-engaged practice, or service with rural populations (e.g., building rural clinical partnerships, rural pathway programs, or distributed clinical education)
Success leading teams through initial ACOTE accreditation or substantial accreditation milestones
Experience creating, launching, or scaling new academic programs (faculty hiring, facilities planning, simulation, technology infrastructure)
Documented professional development/education in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and program/outcome assessment
Experience with program evaluation, curriculum development, and accreditation processes; working knowledge of ACOTE expectations and timelines
Evidence of interprofessional education/practice and collaborative partnerships with health systems and community organizations
Experience with grant writing, external funding, and/or practice-based research; familiarity with value-based and population-health models relevant to rural care
Active engagement in AOTA or related professional organizations
Mission-driven leadership
Strategic thinker who is organized, collaborative, and outcomes-oriented, with excellent communication skills
Relationship-builder who can galvanize clinical partners statewide to expand rural training sites and graduate a workforce responsive to Alabama's needs
Company
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a student-centered research university and an academic community committed to enhancing the quality of life for all through breakthrough research.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
The University of Alabama has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (66)
2024 (90)
2023 (66)
2022 (43)
2021 (59)
2020 (75)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$52.85MKey Investors
Thursday Ventures
2022-01-19Series C· $30M
2020-10-28Series B· $14.2M
2018-10-17Series Unknown· $2.4M
Leadership Team
Alexa Ellis
International Language Partner
Beverly Cline
Coordinator of Communication and Partnerships-Orientation and Special Programs
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