Program Director - Graduate Certificate in Vision Rehabilitation

School of Health Professions
Department of Occupational Therapy
Program Director

The University of Alabama at Birmingham invites nominations and applications for a full-time, twelve-month faculty position, with administrative responsibility as the Program Director for the Graduate Certificate in Vision Rehabilitation program, within the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions. This is an opportunity to lead a nationally recognized program at one of the country’s premier academic health centers. Faculty rank and tenure status are commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The UAB Department of Occupational Therapy seeks a dynamic scholar-practitioner to join a collaborative faculty community committed to teaching, scholarship, program development, and service. Candidates with experience in Vision Rehabilitation (adults and/or pediatric low vision, blindness, neurological impairment) are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will lead and advance the quality, growth, and sustainability of the certificate program.

For this position, candidates will be required to:

Teaching & curriculum

• Deliver graduate and post-professional courses in vision rehabilitation and other areas of content expertise in both online and in-person formats.
• Develop innovative evidence-based content reflecting best practices to prepare students for safe, effective service delivery.
• Ensure curriculum quality and monitor student progression.
• Continuously update instructional materials to meet evolving program needs.
• Demonstrate competence in neuro-visual conditions (hemianopia, neglect, TBI-related vision changes), including screening, intervention, and referral across acute-to-outpatient settings.
• Collaborate with driver rehabilitation specialists, including functional training, safety, and referral pathways for driving with low vision (including bioptic systems).
• Teach and lead in interprofessional contexts (OD, ophthalmology, rehab disciplines, O&M), including shared curricula and clinical training models.

Student mentoring & advising

• Provide academic advisement, career mentoring, and guidance on capstone and independent scholarly work.
• Empower students nationally and internationally to advance scholarships in low vision and blindness.
• Foster a supportive learning environment that encourages students to develop their professional identities and contribute to the field.
• Engage with traditional and non-traditional learners to ensure equitable access to mentorship and academic support.

Scholarship

• Maintain an active research agenda through peer-reviewed publications, grant development, professional presentations, and approved projects.
• Pursue external funding opportunities and contribute original knowledge to the fields of occupational therapy and vision rehabilitation.
• Sustain a productive scholarly record consistent with department and school expectations.

Service

• Contribute to department, school, university, and professional service
• Support student recruitment and retention.
• Actively engage with professional organizations and communities of practice relevant to vision rehabilitation.
• Build and maintain clinical, interprofessional, and community partnerships; translate opportunities into education through referral pathways, service models, and co- management.
• Build enrollment pipelines through continuing education offerings, partnerships, and thought leadership (webinars, conference programming, alumni engagement, interprofessional outreach).
• Demonstrate commitment to the broader advancement of the profession and university through service.

Program administration

• Lead all aspects of the Vision Rehabilitation Certificate Program, including strategic planning, admissions, marketing, outreach, and outcome assessment.
• Expand program reach by recruiting interdisciplinary professionals and non-traditional students.
• Develop and sustain international vision rehabilitation programming.
• Oversee admissions in collaboration with university offices; manage program resources and ensure timely completion of student-related administrative processes.
• Maintain and grow engagement with a network of 500+ alumni to strengthen the program’s…