Assistant Clinical Professor, Physical Therapy​/Athletic Training

Assistant Clinical Professor, Physical Therapy/Athletic Training

Northern Arizona University – Phoenix, Arizona.

• Position is a 12‑month non‑tenured Assistant Clinical Professor.

The Northern Arizona University (NAU) Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program is a leader in Competency and Entrustment‑Based Education (CEBE) to meet evolving health needs of society. A CEBE approach seamlessly aligns outcomes and assessment processes throughout a curriculum of didactic and clinical education courses to prepare graduates for the demands of physical therapy clinical practice. The NAU DPT Program consists of one hybrid program and two residential programs located in Phoenix and Flagstaff.

This is a 12‑month non‑tenured Assistant Clinical Professor faculty position to join our residential program in Phoenix, Arizona.

The NAU DPT Program seeks a candidate whose professional experiences support this paradigm shift and the use of technology reflective of the future of health professions education. The breadth and depth of our current faculty allow a review of candidate applications from all key areas of practice; however, the preference is for a candidate with acute/subacute or cardiopulmonary physical therapy experience.

The anticipated start date is May 1, 2026.

• Curriculum:
  Design, implement, and evaluate curriculum content, assessments, and learning experiences to ensure alignment with program competencies, entrustable professional activities (EPAs), and accreditation standards.
• Learning facilitation:
  Intentional guidance of learners through learning experiences, reflection, and feedback to support progression competence and entrustment.
• Assessment:
  Design, implement and evaluate formative and summative assessments to measure progressive competence, offering constructive feedback to support individual progress and continuous program improvement.
• Research:
  Conduct, publish, and present scholarly research; actively contribute to collaborative research initiatives within the discipline.
• Coaching and mentorship:
  Guide and mentor clinical partners and learners to support their didactic, clinical, and professional growth.
• Clinical practice:
  Demonstrate and integrate advanced clinical skills, bridging theory and real‑world application between educational and clinical practice settings.
• Collaboration:
  
  Build and maintain purposeful alliances with colleagues, clinical partners, and community stakeholders to advance practice and scholarship.
• Professional development:
  Engage in ongoing learning to remain current with advances in clinical expertise, teaching strategies, and evidence‑based practices that enhance a competency and entrustment‑based education curriculum and research.

• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from an accredited institution.
• Eligible for licensure as a physical therapist in Arizona within three months of hire.
• Minimum of three years of full‑time post‑licensure clinical practice.
• Contemporary expertise in physical therapy beyond musculoskeletal and orthopedic care.
• Record of effective clinical or academic teaching.
• A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above minimum qualifications.

• Academic doctoral degree (i.e., PhD, EdD, DSc) from an accredited institution in a field related to physical therapy.
• Board certification within specialty areas.
• Academic experience within a physical therapist education program.
• Experience, and/or desire to work in a competency‑based education framework.
• Experience in use of technology.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the needs related to public education.
• Knowledge of learning management systems.
• Knowledge of instructional design, effective pedagogy, team teaching, and innovative learning methodologies.
• Knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning.
• Knowledge of current trends in higher education and demographic trends.

Skills

• Effective leadership and active listening skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Abilities

• Communicates effectively.
• Develops and maintains good working relationships.
• Facilitates learning in multiple modalities.
• Offers content courses to augment department curriculum at the graduate levels.
• Advocates for faculty, staff, and students in the department.
• Recruits, advises, and coaches/mentors graduate students.
• Teaches and works effectively with members at all levels.