Program Director – Occupational Therapy

Program Director Occupational Therapy

St. Ambrose University invites applications for a full-time Program Director position in the Occupational Therapy Department. The Program Director provides academic and administrative leadership for the occupational therapy program and advances an inclusive student-centered learning community grounded in professional excellence ethical practice service and social responsibility.

Located in Davenport Iowa St. Ambrose University is an inclusive Catholic and diocesan community of learners. The University empowers all Ambrosians to act courageously seek wisdom through faith and reason work for justice and lead lives of service. The Occupational Therapy Program Director will model and advance these commitments through collaborative leadership high-quality occupational therapy education meaningful community engagement and preparation of graduates who support the health participation dignity and well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position Summary

The Program Director is the academic and administrative leader of the Occupational Therapy program. The successful candidate will provide leadership for program planning curriculum implementation and evaluation faculty development student success accreditation compliance budget oversight community and clinical partnerships and continuous quality improvement.

In accordance with ACOTE Standard A.2.1 the Program Director must be a full-time faculty member appointed to the occupational therapy degree-level program. The Program Director is responsible for management and administration of the program including planning evaluation budgeting faculty and staff selection maintenance of accreditation and strategies for professional development.

Essential Responsibilities

The Program Director will:

• Provide strategic academic and operational leadership for the Occupational Therapy program in alignment with University college department and professional accreditation expectations.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with all applicable Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards policies reporting requirements and accreditation timelines.
• Lead program assessment curriculum review outcomes evaluation strategic planning and continuous quality-improvement initiatives using data-informed and evidence-based processes.
• Oversee the design implementation evaluation and revision of an inclusive curriculum that prepares graduates for ethical entry-level occupational therapy practice.
• Manage program operations including planning budgeting resource allocation facilities and equipment needs faculty and staff selection and administrative processes.
• Recruit develop mentor evaluate and retain qualified faculty adjunct faculty and staff; promote a collegial culture of professional growth scholarly engagement teaching excellence and shared governance.
• Support student recruitment admission progression retention advising professional development and timely completion while fostering a learning environment characterized by belonging accountability compassion and high expectations.
• Collaborate with academic fieldwork coordinators capstone personnel as applicable clinical and community partners alumni employers and professional organizations to maintain strong educational and practice partnerships.
• Teach in the occupational therapy curriculum in areas consistent with professional expertise and program needs.
• Promote faculty and student scholarship service leadership advocacy and engagement with local regional and national occupational therapy communities.
• Represent the program and University professionally within the community University committees accreditation activities recruitment events professional organizations and external partnerships.

Required Qualifications

Consistent with ACOTE Standard A.2.1 applicants must demonstrate the following qualifications:

• Initial certification as an occupational therapist.
• Current Iowa occupational therapy license or eligibility for licensure in Iowa.
• A doctoral degree awarded by an institution accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accrediting agency.
• A minimum of eight years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy.
• Documented experience that includes clinical occupational therapy practice administrative experience scholarship understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant and faculty experience with teaching responsibilities appropriate to the degree level offered by the program.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and administer an occupational therapy educational program including planning evaluation budgeting faculty and staff selection accreditation maintenance and professional-development initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards policies and reporting processes.
• 4 years of experience as a faculty member with evidence of effective teaching at the postbaccalaureate level mentoring communication collaborative leadership and commitment to student success.
• Commitment to ethical practice inclusion community engagement and the values of occupational therapy.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with one or more of the following:

• Prior experience as an occupational therapy program director department chair academic fieldwork coordinator capstone coordinator or comparable academic leadership role.
• Experience leading ACOTE self-studies accreditation reporting substantive-change processes program evaluation or accreditation-site-visit preparation.
• Record of scholarship professional presentations grant activity community-engaged work or leadership within AOTA IOTA state associations or other professional organizations.
• Experience with curriculum development competency-based assessment student retention initiatives simulation interprofessional education or innovative instructional design.
• Demonstrated success building partnerships with healthcare systems schools community organizations and occupational therapy practice settings.

Application Materials

Applicants should submit:

• A letter of application addressing qualifications and interest in the position
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references

St. Ambrose University is committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive educational community that welcomes individuals of varied beliefs backgrounds identities and experiences. The University encourages applications from qualified candidates who will contribute to its Catholic diocesan mission and its commitment to courage wisdom justice and service. #HEJ

Required Experience:

Director