Position Summary

Northwest University’s new School of Physical Therapy has a number of openings for Assistant or Associate Professors to serve as a Core Faculty members. The School of Physical Therapy is in the application process for accreditation and anticipates matriculating its first class in July of 2024, pending approval for Candidacy at the Spring 2024 CAPTE meeting. The program is built to be a hybrid DPT program with didactic content delivered through synchronous and asynchronous methods and immersive labs in the Seattle, Washington area. This accelerated (2-year) program has dual degree courses to provide graduates with future opportunities toward a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or an Educational Doctorate (EdD). 

Each core faculty holds a full-time faculty appointment and has academic, service, and scholarship responsibilities consistent with the academic program's and university's mission and philosophy. Core faculty demonstrate competence in teaching, assessment, curriculum development and have experience and expertise commensurate with the needs of the new DPT Program. Core faculty are members of a collaborative team committed to academic excellence and student success. Areas of content expertise needed include, but are not limited to, anatomy and physiology, movement science, neuroscience, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, integumentary, cardiopulmonary, and physical therapy across the lifespan. Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: 

1. Participation in the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of individual courses and overall curriculum within the program.
2. Preparation, instruction, and assessment of courses in areas of expertise within the curriculum.
3. Participation in evaluating students' readiness to progress to professional practice courses in conjunction with the Director of Clinical Education and other academic faculty.
4. Participates in University, community, and professional service appropriate to a university faculty member. 
5. Demonstrates the ability to adhere to the Core Values of the Physical Therapy Profession.
6. Demonstrates the ability to communicate effectively and professionally, written and orally, online and in-person, with people from diverse backgrounds, including students, administration, faculty, and staff.
7. Demonstrates the ability to handle a wide range of responsibilities in the School of Physical Therapy.

Qualifications Minimum Qualifications:

1. Candidate must hold an active, unrestricted Physical Therapist license in any United States jurisdiction and be eligible for licensure in Washington (future). 
2. Earned terminal academic doctorate in a discipline appropriate for teaching responsibilities, OR Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (or tDPT) with ABPTS specialization or other specialized experience in a discipline appropriate for teaching responsibilities. 
3. Understanding higher education and contemporary clinical practice appropriate for physical therapy.
4. A demonstrated record of scholarship, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications/technical reports/grants, which may include the scholarship of teaching and learning. 
5. Active in professional activities at local, state, and/or national levels.
6. Able to travel overnight or for extended periods to Seattle for lab and other areas for student events.
7. Candidate must have a demonstrated, vibrant evangelical faith compatible with the mission of Northwest University.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Previous distance education/hybrid experience.
2. Previous CAPTE accreditation experience. 
3. Previous academic appointments in education.
4. Previous leadership experience in education.
5. Is able and willing to collaborate and share instructional methods and student-learning activities 
6. Has an appreciation for evidence-based teaching, integration of technology within the classroom, and building a student-centered community within the online classroom 
7. Is willing to enroll in a doctoral program related to the area of instruction (if applicable).

The faculty member must possess a meaningful commitment to Jesus Christ, the church, and the Gospel. Candidates with previous academic experience or teaching are preferred. Members of underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply, along with candidates with experience mentoring diverse students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds.

Application review will be conducted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. 

Compensation

Dependent on education and experience, based on the established faculty salary schedule.

Application Requirements

If you are interested in this position, please submit the following:

1. Letter of interest addressing the above-stated qualities and qualifications sought by the University.
2. Current curriculum vitae, including a list of courses taught (if any) and experience in distance education/hybrid education.
3. A list of three professional references with e-mail and phone contact information. The candidate will be notified prior to references being contacted.
4. A teaching philosophy statement that explains how the candidate's Christian faith shapes his or her approach to the field of physical therapy.
5. A brief narrative describing the candidate's personal Christian faith, practice, and current local church affiliation.

Applications in confidence may be submitted by e-mail to:

Dr. Matthew Vraa, PT, DPT, DSc, MBA, PhD(c)
Northwest University Dean of the School of Physical Therapy
matthew.vraa@northwestu.edu

General Application Information

Candidates must adhere to Northwest University's Evangelical Christian tradition, respect the Northwest University Statement of Faith, and agree to advocate nothing contrary to the Bible, this statement of faith, or the stated purposes of Northwest University. Faculty must also adhere to the policies outlined in the Faculty Handbook. Northwest University conducts background checks on all final candidates.

Search procedures will be closed, when a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified. Applicants are urged to provide sufficient information, so that the application file may be considered complete at the end of the search period.