Director of Clinical Education - Physical Therapist Assistant Program

Director Of Clinical Education – Physical Therapist Assistant Program

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program is responsible for the development, coordination, administration, assessment, and continuous improvement of the clinical education component of the PTA curriculum.

The DCE serves as the primary liaison between Stanbridge University, students, clinical instructors, Site Coordinators of Clinical Education (SCCEs), and affiliated clinical education sites. This position ensures students receive high-quality, appropriately sequenced clinical learning experiences that support achievement of program outcomes, professional competencies, and readiness for contemporary physical therapist assistant practice.

The DCE is responsible for developing and maintaining clinical affiliation partnerships, coordinating student clinical placements, monitoring student performance and clinical progression, supporting clinical faculty, ensuring compliance with clinical education requirements, and maintaining documentation necessary for institutional, regulatory, and accreditation purposes.

The DCE collaborates closely with the PTA Program Director, faculty, academic leadership, clinical partners, and University departments to ensure the clinical education program remains aligned with the standards and expectations of the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), applicable state requirements, institutional policies, and contemporary physical therapy practice.

Essential Functions

Clinical Education Leadership and Administration

• Provide leadership, oversight, coordination, and continuous improvement of all clinical education activities within the Physical Therapist Assistant Program.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise the clinical education component of the curriculum in collaboration with the Program Director and faculty.
• Ensure clinical education experiences are appropriately sequenced and integrated with didactic and laboratory instruction.
• Coordinate clinical education schedules, student assignments, placement timelines, and clinical site requirements.
• Maintain accurate and current clinical education records, affiliation documentation, student placement records, evaluations, compliance documentation, and related program materials.
• Monitor clinical education outcomes and recommend improvements based on student performance, stakeholder feedback, accreditation expectations, and program data.
• Participate in program assessment, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, accreditation preparation, and continuous quality improvement activities.
• Ensure clinical education policies, procedures, and practices remain consistent with institutional requirements and applicable accreditation standards.

Clinical Site Development and Partnership Management

• Identify, develop, evaluate, and maintain clinical affiliation relationships sufficient to support the needs of the PTA Program and enrolled students.
• Expand clinical placement capacity through proactive relationship development with healthcare organizations, rehabilitation providers, outpatient practices, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and other appropriate clinical settings.
• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned clinical education partners.
• Maintain regular communication with SCCEs, Clinical Instructors, clinical leadership, and organizational representatives.
• Evaluate the appropriateness and educational quality of clinical education sites.
• Conduct clinical site visits and other engagement activities as necessary to maintain effective partnerships and evaluate student learning environments.
• Collaborate with University departments regarding affiliation agreements,…