Director of Clinical Education-School of Occupational Therapy

Recruitment Period: 01/05/2026- Until Filled

Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Salary Information:

Assistant Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$91700-Annual Maximum Salary-$154000

Associate Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$105400-Annual Maximum Salary-$177100

Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$121300-Annual Maximum Salary-$203700

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and for the duration of their employment with PNWU. Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with federal law.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University has five health profession programs including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Doctor of Physical Therapy Master of Arts in Medical Science Master of Science in Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Dental Medicine with one mission: to educate and train healthcare professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest. The campus continues to expand supporting all of the new programs. It is truly an excellent time to work for PNWU!

PNWU is located in Yakima WA a city of approximately 95000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle 170 miles from Portland and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live work and play. For more information visit Summary:

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) develops monitors and refines the clinical education components of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) curriculum. The DCE manages student placement and success in all Academic Fieldwork Education Experiences (AFEE). The DCEs primary responsibilities are to plan coordinate facilitate administer and monitor activities on behalf of the academic program and in coordination with the programs Clinical Partners (contracted clinical facilities clinical educators). The DCE selects and evaluates clinical education sites and facilitates ongoing development of clinical education sites and clinical faculty. The DCE is responsible for the schools compliance with the AFEE requirements set forth by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).

The DCE has administrative academic service and scholarship responsibilities consistent with the mission and philosophy of the School of Occupational Therapy. This individual demonstrates competence in clinical education teaching scholarship and curriculum development. The DCE is effective in developing conducting and coordinating the clinical education program.

The DCE is a core faculty member with reassigned time for an administrative role in addition to their regular faculty role. To meet the expectations in the role of DCE they receive 50% reassigned time from their normal teaching load. Therefore they have standard professional responsibilities in the areas of teaching (reduced load) service and scholarship. These include but are not confined to:

Essential Job Functions:

Scholarship of Teaching

• Developing course materials in specialized area of expertise including writing course syllabi and developing appropriate instructional methods
• Teaching MSOT courses assigned in content area of expertise and meeting program standards for student and peer evaluations
• Developing and administering student assessments including exams quizzes and assignments as appropriate
• Enhancing expertise in teaching content areas through continuing education
• Participating in ongoing curriculum and program assessment
• Meeting all classes as scheduled; reporting final grades at the designated time; having an appropriate number of office hours
• Maintaining licensure and certification as appropriate

University and Community Service/Clinical Practice

• Advising students
• Assisting in the recruitment and admissions of students
• Attending program events including student orientation and commencement exercises
• Performing committee assignments at the school and university level
• Performing program-related community service

Professional Growth Scholarly and Creative Activities

• Engaging in scholarly activity and maintaining an active research agenda
• Supervise and mentor student research
• Maintaining professional development in the area of research

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist Dean with ACOTE compliance and Annual Accreditation Report (AAR) relative to the programs preparation and implementation of the clinical education curriculum experiences and activities on and off campus
• Create relationships with external stakeholders to secure adequate clinical sites and clinical instructors (CIs) via contractual agreements; select clinical learning environments that demonstrate characteristics of sound client management ethical and professional behavior and currency with occupational therapy practice
• Develop and oversee policies and procedures related to clinical education; maintains Clinical Education Handbook; provides consistency with related sections of the Student Handbook and Student Catalogue; educate students (Academic Fieldwork Education classes) clinical instructor and academic faculty about clinical education requirements and standards to ensure compliance
• Prepare and provide appropriate full-time clinical site slots and timely clinical placement procedures necessary student immunization requirements related site-specific clinical requirements and clinical database information
• Foster communication and development of CIs at clinical sites and provide support and guidance to ensure student learning and progression
• Monitor evaluate and refine the MSOT curriculum in collaboration with the Dean Director of Curriculum and core MSOT faculty; oversees data collection for the evaluation of the clinical education component of the curriculum
• Evaluate student performance in cooperation with other faculty to determine their ability to integrate didactic and clinical learning experiences and to progress within the curriculum; facilitate quality learning experiences for students during clinical education
• Maintain active membership in relevant organizations and participate each year in relevant professional organization events to foster continuing education in the area of clinical education

In addition

• Understands accreditation standards and expectations specific to the program and adheres to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards
• Conducts self appropriately and consistently in accordance with the philosophy and mission of PNWU
• Other duties as assigned (perform and report on any other reassigned duties for the program)

The DCE is responsible for coordinating and managing the efforts of the academic program and clinical education sites in the education and preparation of OT students through:

• Communication between PNWU and affiliated clinical education sites
• Clinical education program planning implementation and assessment
• Clinical site development
• Clinical faculty development

Education:

Earned doctoral or masters degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). Doctoral degrees may include a post-professional doctorate such as an OTD. Academic doctorate degrees other than occupational therapy or occupational science (e.g. PhD EdD DSc) and ABD candidates may be considered if they meet the minimum practice requirements below:

Licensed occupational therapist who is licensed or eligible for licensure in Washington State;

Have a minimum of 3 years (5 years preferred) of documented clinical practice experience as an OT.

Experience:

Prior experience as an academic fieldwork coordinator is preferred. However PNWU provides support for professional development activities related to academic fieldwork coordination for those without prior academic fieldwork coordination experience. Additional preferred experience includes:

Prior teaching experience in an academic program and/or administrative experience in clinical practice (including fieldwork coordination);

Record of service to the profession and/or community;

Record of scholarship or potential to engage in scholarly activity; and

Prior experience in working with rural and underserved populations.

Desired Skills Knowledge and Abilities:

Strong organization interpersonal and planning skills; strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances; ability to problem solve by analyzing issues and creating action plans; ability to manage projects and people and prioritize and self-direct workflow; and ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases

To ensure full consideration submit:

A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

Detailed curriculum vitae

Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE):

• Health Benefits - Medical Dental Vision Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

PNWU is a drug-free workplace equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format or to apply in an alternative format please call Human Resources 509.452.5100.