Program Director - Physical Therapy Assistant

About the Company

As a leading healthcare education organization, Unitek Learning’s family of schools helps thousands of students launch and accelerate their careers every year. As a rapidly growing and highly successful company, Unitek is also a great place to pursue a rewarding and challenging career. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, unlimited growth potential, and a collegiate work environment.

About the Role

The PTA-Program Director is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who demonstrates an understanding of education and contemporary clinical practice appropriate for leadership in physical therapist assistant education. The Program Director is responsible for teaching in the PTA Associate Degree Program, overseeing program assessment, maintaining curriculum development and updates, and assisting in the recruitment and retention of PTA students.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to the CAPTE standards on new program development.
• Develop accreditation submission materials/reports for CAPTE and other accrediting agencies.
• Work alongside the College academic corporate team to meet critical program development milestones.
• Oversee program assessment, maintenance of curriculum development, and updates.
• Lead new program initiatives.
• Assist in the recruitment and retention of PTA students.
• Accountable for meeting student retention and attendance goals.
• Direct and participate in educational planning, program organization, staffing, training, and evaluating of PTA faculty.
• Monitor staff and student performance, motivating and advising students and staff.
• Assist with developing and maintaining the master schedule.
• Generate education department reports as needed.
• Develop and maintain PTA program curriculum that reflects the dynamic nature of the profession.
• Plan strategically for the program to respond to changes in healthcare and community needs.
• Prepare and monitor the programmatic budget.
• Ensure that the classroom environment is safe and conducive to learning.
• Maintain inventory of equipment, software, and supplies in the classroom.
• Plan for the annual safety check of laboratory equipment.
• Select, supervise, evaluate, and mentor the PTA faculty.
• Prepare the course schedules per semester and make teaching assignments based on instructor qualifications.
• Instruct up to 10 contact hours in the classroom per semester once the program gains CAPTE, BPPE, and ACCSC approval.
• Ensure compliance with all accreditation standards for the program, including maintenance of accurate public information and timely notification of substantive changes.
• Communicate with CAPTE to submit necessary reports and fees.
• Assist with textbook selections and evaluations.
• Ensure and maintain compliance with CAPTE, Institutional accreditors, DOE, and Title IV approval, regulations, and policies.
• Actively promote the company mission, vision, and value statements, ensuring PTA program employees incorporate these beliefs and values in their daily work ethic.
• Collaborate with the Campus Director and Associate Dean of Allied Health and Technology to ensure overall communication.
• Participate in student enrollment management activities, including new student recruitment activities and functions.
• Oversee the selection of clinical sites and coordination of instruction in those facilities.
• Ensure clinical facilities are visited according to programmatic requirements and maintain written contracts/affiliations with clinical facilities.
• Evaluate faculty and update the Associate Dean and Campus Director on an 'as required' basis.
• Schedule and post office hours to provide academic support to students, tutor if necessary, and provide other assistance as needed.
• Assist with implementation and evaluation of programs and activities to ensure the Advisory Committee functions in a manner consistent with accreditation standards.
• Ensure overall student satisfaction levels are at 85% or greater.
• Responsible for implementation of retention plan; oversee retention of students within programs, meeting retention rate in accordance with the Institution, accreditation, and College guidelines.
• Maintain copies of minutes of all program advisory and staff meetings for no less than five years.
• Motivate and advise students and staff as needed.
• Maintain student and faculty files.
• Monitor ongoing quality and performance of the program.
• Participate in faculty meetings, orientation, and graduation exercises.
• Ensure that all educational activities are conducted in a legal and ethical manner.
• Schedule and hold periodic staff meetings to coordinate the activities of full-time, part-time faculty, or instructional staff.
• Regular, in-person attendance up to 5 days per week on campus/on site is an essential function of this position.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A minimum of a master’s degree.
• Hold a current license to practice as a physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA), or eligible for licensure in the State the program resides.
• A minimum of five (5) years (or equivalent) full-time, post-licensure experience with a minimum of three (3) years (or equivalent) of full-time clinical experience comprised of didactic and/or clinical teaching experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in administration/management.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and outcome assessment.
• Nine (9) college credits of coursework in educational foundations (or the equivalent).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for the value of education, energy, and organizational skills for multi-tasking.
• Knowledge of Microsoft® Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Possess the necessary academic credentials and work-related experience mandated by the College, State accreditation agencies, and any other regulatory agency that monitors compliance.
• Must be able to develop and maintain excellent relationships with a diverse staff and student population.
• Consistently demonstrate the highest levels of integrity.

Preferred Qualifications

• A doctoral degree as a physical therapist (DPT).
• Member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) with documented professional activity.
• Demonstrable leadership skills inclusive of setting expectations and managing for performance.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision starting the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.
• 2 weeks starting vacation per year, increasing based on years of service with the company.
• 12 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays.
• 401k with company match.
• Company-paid life insurance at 1x your annual salary.
• Leadership development and training for career advancement.
• Tuition assistance and forgiveness for you and your family up to 100% depending on the program.