Director of Clinical Education – Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

About the role

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) oversees the clinical education experiences for students in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. Key responsibilities include coordinating clinical placements, evaluating student performance, and maintaining compliance with accreditation standards.

Responsibilities

• Cooperate with the Program Director to ensure clinical education is coordinated and aligned with curriculum objectives and CAPTE accreditation standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the College, the Program Director, and affiliated clinical education sites, including communication with CCCEs, CIs, and site administrators.
• Develop, organize, and maintain clinical education policies, procedures, and manuals.
• Establish, evaluate, and maintain a sufficient number and variety of clinical education sites to support student learning needs.
• Carefully monitor and evaluate student performance during clinical education experiences, collaborating with clinical faculty and the Program Director.
• Provide guidance, support, and intervention to address performance concerns, learning needs, and professional conduct issues.
• Conduct site visits, communications, and evaluations of clinical education sites and clinical faculty.
• Coordinate student clinical placements, including scheduling, site assignments, and disseminating clinical education information.
• Maintain accurate and current clinical education records, including databases of clinical sites, clinical faculty, student placements, contractual agreements, and site utilization.
• Assist the Program Director in preparing accreditation documentation, outcome assessments, and required reports related to clinical education.
• Participate in curriculum development, review, and revision by providing input based on clinical education outcomes, employer feedback, and student performance data.
• Teach didactic and/or clinical education courses as assigned, including preparation of syllabi, assessments, student records, course evaluations, and grade reports.
• Aid the Program Director with program operations, including budget planning related to clinical education, recruitment activities, maintenance of laboratory equipment, ordering of consumable supplies, and student advising.
• Participate in College committees, program advisory committees, and College events such as career days, recruitment activities, and community outreach.
• Maintain current knowledge and professional competence through continuing education, professional development activities, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
• In the absence of the Program Director, assume delegated duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements

• Demonstrated effectiveness in clinical teaching and mentoring.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice, clinical education principles, and accreditation standards relevant to PTA education.
• Experience with assessment tools used in physical therapy clinical education (e.g., CPI or equivalent).
• Basic computer literacy and the ability to utilize instructional technologies, learning management systems, and software programs relevant to academic and clinical education administration.
• Experience in teaching, mentoring, and supporting students in clinical or academic settings.
• Ability to evaluate students and clinical instructors and provide appropriate feedback.
• Ability to work effectively with students from a wide range of backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice and clinical education principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, clinical partners, and College leadership.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate clinical education experiences across multiple clinical sites.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation related to clinical education activities and make sound decisions related to student performance and site utilization.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct consistent with institutional standards.
• English reading, writing, and speaking skills at the native level of fluency.
• Ability to work various hours, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends as required.
• Ability to travel among multiple clinical education sites, campuses, and off-campus meetings as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant (PTA) or physical therapist (PT) program.
• Preferred: Master’s degree.
• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time (or equivalent) post-licensure clinical practice experience in physical therapy.
• Minimum of two (2) years of clinical practice experience as a Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE) and/or Clinical Instructor (CI) or a minimum of two (2) years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and administration in a physical therapist assistant education program.

Pay

60,000-75,000 Yearly Salary