Department Chair - DPTE

Pay scale: $25,000 annually (base salary only; total compensation reflects combined administrative and faculty responsibilities).

About the role

This is a College of Health Sciences Administration-level position at Western University of Health Sciences, offered in conjunction with a faculty appointment. The Department Chair is responsible for the administration of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program under the supervision of the Office of the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Chair provides leadership and direction in the planning, development, and delivery of the academic programs and in the maintenance of program excellence.

Responsibilities

• Partner with DPTE faculty to ensure goals of the program match the strategic vision of the University.
• Lead curriculum development for the DPT program.
• Mentor faculty in continued development of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Provide faculty with clear expectations and constructive feedback in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Ensure due process in addressing student concerns.
• Budget development and management.
• Provide excellent teaching in areas of expertise.
• Maintain scholarship and research program commensurate with accreditation and University standards.
• Maintain professional relationships with local community and broader field of physical therapy.
• Work to finalize and run volunteer clinic.
• Serve the University and College on committees as appointed by the Dean of CHS.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited physical therapy program and an earned academic doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or other advanced academic doctorate in a related field).
• Eligible to hold rank of Associate Professor, Professor, Clinical Associate Professor, or Clinical Professor.
• Physical therapist licensed or eligible to be licensed in California.

Qualifications

• Six years of full-time higher education experience, eligible to serve at the level of an Associate or Full Professor.
• Eight years of full-time experience in physical therapy education preferred.
• Record of quality teaching (design and delivery), demonstrated participation in scholarly activities (research), a commitment to institutional and external service, and a regional reputation as an authority in the field.

Skills

• Budget planning and balancing.
• Knowledge of current and emerging trends in physical therapy and related fields.
• Strong academic leadership, including motivation, constructive evaluation, and adjudication.
• Ability to foster an environment of mutual trust and confidentiality with faculty, staff, and students.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to balance the needs and views of faculty and university administration.
• Excellent time and personnel management skills.
• Commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.