9 month-Teaching Faculty-Occupational Therapy Assistant

About the Role

The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program’s Program Director is responsible for the management and administration of the OTA program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) reporting, and program compliance with current ACOTE standards. The Program Director is a full‑time core member of the NOVA OTA teaching faculty.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the program’s compliance with all standards for ACOTE.
• Reviews, updates, and maintains OTA department policies and procedures to ensure compliance with ACOTE and NOVA policies on an annual basis.
• Assists the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator with all aspects of the fieldwork program.
• Initiates and maintains agreements with other colleges for articulation and/or collaborative experiences.
• Collaborates with other program directors, educators, and community partners to facilitate learning opportunities that align with the curriculum design.
• Manages the admission process for OTA students in collaboration with Student Services.
• Provides fieldwork supervision as needed.
• Orients students to general policies and procedures for OTA admission, progression, and graduation.
• Assesses the quality and relevance of all aspects of the OTA program using student feedback, faculty evaluations, program evaluations, learning objectives, and other pertinent information.
• Ensures students meet program requirements to graduate.
• Collects and compiles data regarding OTA program outcomes and disseminates the information appropriately.
• Assists the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, faculty, and fieldwork sites with student performance issues, conflicts, and other concerns to find resolution.
• Coordinates accreditation activities related to the OTA curriculum.
• Develops, revises, and teaches OTA program courses.
• Provides OTA program student advising.
• Holds required weekly student‑engagement hours.
• Attends divisional and college meetings.
• Participates in all other duties assigned.
• May be required to assist the agency or state government in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.
• Requires access to the Administrative Information System (AIS) to perform duties.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, or a master’s degree in another field plus an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy, awarded by a regionally accredited institution.
• Active National Board of Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification.
• Active, unexpired Commonwealth of Virginia licensure as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant, with no restrictions.
• Minimum of five (5) years full‑time experience, including:
  • Clinical practice as an occupational therapist (experience as an OTA may be included).
  • Administrative experience such as program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
  • Experience working with Occupational Therapy Assistants.
• Three (3) years of experience as a faculty member teaching occupational therapy or occupational therapy assisting in a post‑secondary and/or community college environment.
• Demonstrated scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning).
• Commitment to the College and NOVA OTA Program’s mission and philosophy.
• Thorough understanding of the NOVA OTA curriculum design.
• Knowledge of and commitment to upholding ACOTE regulations regarding curriculum and fieldwork.
• Understanding of program policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, administrative staff, and fieldwork educators.
• Strong organizational and time‑management abilities.
• Excellent professional interpersonal and communication skills (telephone, face‑to‑face, email).
• Ability to resolve conflict.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to analyze data and determine programmatic changes.
• Professional verbal and non‑verbal communication.
• Conflict‑resolution and problem‑solving skills.
• Empathy and ability to support diverse student needs.
• Ability to drive to and from fieldwork sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced post‑professional clinical degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Fieldwork Educator Certificate awarded by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and active AOTA membership.
• Clinical experience and expertise in psychiatry, management, research, neuro, pediatrics, and/or adult physical disabilities.
• Experience teaching hybrid or online courses using Canvas Learning Management System and/or Zoom.
• Experience preparing to teach culturally, linguistically, socio‑economically, and academically diverse students at the college level.

Pay

Salary is commensurate based on education, experience, and other qualifying factors within the assigned rank. Ranges are:

• Assistant Professor: $72,000 – $84,000
• Associate Professor: $81,000 – $93,000
• Professor: $90,000 – $102,000

Benefits