Director of Clinical Education - Physical Therapy (F00258)

Job Summary

Mercy University is seeking a Director of Clinical Education for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program.

About the Role

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) is a core faculty member within the DPT Program. They are responsible for the planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all clinical education experiences. The DCE ensures that clinical experiences are high-quality, diverse, and seamlessly integrated with the didactic curriculum to prepare graduates for entry-level practice. The director(s) of clinical education is effective in clinical teaching and mentoring, and in developing, conducting, and coordinating the clinical education program.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and evaluate a diverse network of clinical education sites; negotiate and maintain affiliation agreements; ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies.
• Career Development and Mentorship:
  • Coordinate student clinical placements aligned with curricular goals;
  • Oversee assessment of student performance using validated tools (e.g., APTA CPI);
  • Identify and remediate students at risk;
  • Facilitate communication among students, clinical instructors, and faculty.
• Mentor and Support:
  • Mentor and support Clinical Instructors and Site Coordinators through training, professional development, and credentialing;
  • Foster strong, collaborative partnerships with clinical sites.
• Integration and Continuous Improvement:
  • Integrate clinical education with didactic curriculum;
  • Collect and analyze clinical education data for continuous improvement;
  • Contribute to program assessment, curriculum development, and CAPTE accreditation activities.
• Administrative Oversight:
  • Provide administrative and regulatory oversight, including compliance with HIPAA and FERPA;
  • Maintain accurate records;
  • Develop and update clinical education policies and procedures.

Required Skills & Experience

• A physical therapist who holds an active, unencumbered PT license in any United States jurisdiction.
• In compliance with the practice act in the jurisdiction where the program is located.
• Minimum of three years of full-time post-licensure clinical practice.
• Minimum of two years of clinical practice as an SCCE or CI or two years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and administration in a physical therapist education program.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to coordinate complex logistics involving multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective collaboration with students, faculty, clinical partners, and administrators.
• Ability to mentor and develop clinical educators.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting for program assessment and accreditation.

Education Requirements

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree required.
• Post-professional doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DSc) or clinical specialization preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• APTA Credentialed Clinical Instructor (CI) certification.
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Clinical specialization.
• Active membership in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Academy of Physical Therapy Education (APTE).
• Experience in educational research, particularly related to clinical education, student performance, or clinical outcomes.
• Knowledge of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model and its application in clinical practice and education.
• Demonstrated excellence in communication, organization, and interpersonal relationship management.