Occupational Therapy Assistant; OTA Instructor

Summary

The full-time Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor serves as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) and teaches college courses in the School of Health Sciences for students in the Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant program. This faculty position also includes teaching duties and standard departmental duties.

This is a full-time, benefited 10-month faculty position.

As the primary lead for all levels of fieldwork (Community Experience, Level I and Level II), the AFWC manages the entire cycle of fieldwork placements and serves as the central point of contact between the college, fieldwork educators (clinical supervisors), and students. The faculty member is a classroom leader committed to academic rigor and program growth and serves as the essential "bridge" for students as they transition from learners to practitioners.

Faculty positions are expected to stay at the forefront of the field by reviewing current literature, networking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.

• Ensure all fieldwork experiences align with the ACOTE C Standards Section
  
  C.1.0 set by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE); develop and maintain the Fieldwork Educator and Student Fieldwork Manual to ensure total compliance with ACOTE standards.
• Establish dates, identify and secure placements, maintain site lists, manage reservation requests, establish/monitor/update contracts/MOU’s, establish new clinical sites, and handle cancellations or last-minute changes to meet ACOTE standards and student needs.
• Work closely with fieldwork educators to ensure learning objectives in clinical settings align with the OTA program curriculum and remain relevant to student needs. Maintain frequent correspondence with students and educators during rotations via site visits, newsletters, databases, and resource sharing.
• Review student evaluations, compiling clinical data, and collaborate with faculty to review student progress throughout the fieldwork experience; ensure that OTA program learning activities align with and compliment the clinical expectations provided at fieldwork sites.
• Provide oversight for community placements and document student strengths or areas of concern during rotations; establish learning contracts during fieldwork rotations when needed and collaborate with student and fieldwork educators to support students for fieldwork success.
• Teach assigned OTA courses using diverse pedagogical methods, maintain scheduled classes, and develop comprehensive syllabi. Participate in, complete, and implement accreditation activities for the OTA program within all assigned classes.
• Prepare materials to evaluate student progress and submit accurate midterm and final grades.
• Actively participate in the OTA curriculum design, strategic planning, and the development of departmental learning outcomes to ensure clinical relevance and academic rigor.
• Maintaining and securing physical and/or electronic student records in a secure physical or electronic environment approved by the college. Compliance with established protocols for HIPAA, FERPA, and data privacy and record security is mandatory. Submit midterm and final grades.
• Contribute to the program’s long-term goals, assessment of outcomes, and strategic initiatives to enhance the student experience and program reputation.
• Serve as an academic advisor for students, providing guidance within the classroom and throughout their fieldwork experiences to ensure professional development and program completion.
• Establish and maintain regular office hours for student consultation.
• Other related duties as assigned, which include but are not necessarily limited to serving on faculty committees, participating in faculty meetings; providing recommendations for preparation of departmental or divisional budgets, co-advising OTA club, and adhering to all institutional policies.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an institution accredited by a USDE-recognized regional or national accrediting body
• Must be a Certified and licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) or Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist…