Occupational Therapy Program Director (Cochran Campus)

Job Title: Occupational Therapy Program Director (Cochran Campus)
Location: MGA Cochran
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 305450
About Us

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree-granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,400 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation program, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

Job Summary

The Master of Science in Occupational Therapy Program (MSOT) Director is a full-time 12-month position. The Program Director is responsible for the management and administration the MSOT Program including teaching, advising, program planning, program assessment and evaluation, budgeting, selection of faculty and staff, facilitating professional development, and ensuring compliance with all professional standards required to maintain accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). In addition, the, the Program Director will assist students in attaining their educational goals; participate in teaching, scholarship, and service to the university and the profession; collaborate with the Department Chair, AFWC, and other faculty to deliver the program; and represent the program and the university in the community with relevant stakeholders. The Program Director will perform duties and responsibilities in accordance with university policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Administration (55%) -
Develop and implement strategic plan for the program in collaboration with faculty; ensures that plan is regularly updated.
Ensure compliance with all ACOTE standards
Collaborate with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to evaluate and revise program components related to Level I and Level II Fieldwork, including policies and procedures.
Prepare program/institutional evaluations and accreditation reports.
Attend annual AOTA Academic Leadership Council (ALC) meetings as needed.
Manage recruitment, selection, and retention of MSOT Program faculty and staff; manages onboarding and mentoring process of program faculty and staff.
Oversee admission/selection process of MSOT students.
Review and revise program mission, philosophy, and curriculum; recommends new courses or modification of courses through the university approval process for inclusion in the curriculum.
Assist in student recruitment as applicable.
Plan and conduct program advisory board meetings and activities with assistance from other faculty as applicable.
Develop program correspondence, surveys, and forms
Analyze feedback from course evaluations, graduate surveys, employer surveys, student focus groups, and advisory board meetings and utilizes to modify curriculum and teaching activities/methods as needed.
Develop annual budget in collaboration with Department of Rehabilitation Science & Fitness Chair.
Ensure that instructional equipment is maintained in working condition and maintains physical inventory with assistance of faculty/staff.
Follow safety procedures as stated in university/program safety manuals and within industry standards.
Recommend procurement of program/course supplies, contractual services, and equipment as appropriate.
Ensure that supplies, equipment, books, videos, and library resources are sufficient to meet program needs.
Participate in activities to promote MSOT Program.

Teaching (35%) -
Maintain teaching workload at two thirds (2/3) of MGA's typical expectation of 12 credit hours per semester (maximum of 8 credit hours in any semester). The additional one third (1/3) is identified as release time for the administrative responsibilities of the program director in compliance with ACOTE Standard A.2.1.: "The institution must document that the program director has sufficient release time to ensure that the needs of the program are being met."
Use a variety of methods to deliver assigned courses based on best practices in adult education.
Use a variety of teaching methods to meet course goals and objectives specific to Level I and Level II Fieldwork coursework and fieldwork placement, that may include hands on, problem based, project based, team teaching, etc.
Provide varied learning opportunities through the use of available instructional materials, media, supplies, and available community resources.
Integrate student assessment into student learning activities and curriculum.
Evaluate students on a regular basis and keeps them informed of their progress.
Participate in the process of assessing student learning, analyzing the data/findings, and recommending actions based on the findings.
Update and revise course syllabi on a regular basis in accordance with ACOTE standards.
Update material in MGA's learning management system (Brightspace/D2L) regularly for all courses taught including syllabi, assignments and learning resources.
Develop quizzes, tests, exams, practical exams, didactic and laboratory experiences consistent with the MSOT program's philosophy and curriculum design.
Remain current with available textbooks and order textbooks as required by MGA protocol.
Maintain course grades, records of attendance and participate in assessment of professional behaviors.
Communicate and collaborate with Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to ensure that fieldwork experiences complement and enhance didactic education.

Personnel Management (5%) -
Conduct regular MSOT faculty/staff meetings.
Recruit and orient new MSOT faculty/staff as needed.
Communicate with faculty/staff about university, department, and division activities.
Foster collaborative working relationships among faculty/staff.
Serve as resource/mentor and assist faculty with implementation of innovative, creative teaching strategies.
Arbitrate faculty and student concerns at the division level.
Ensure faculty complete/update annual faculty professional development plans.

Other Duties (5%) -

Other Duties: Advising -
Advise assigned MSOT students.
Participate in the registration process for MSOT students and potential students as needed.
Refer students to professional counseling staff when appropriate.
Provide posted/scheduled office hours to assist and advise students outside of class/lab time.

Other Duties: Professional Development -
Maintain appropriate state licensure and national (NBCOT) certification.
Participate in continuing education/professional development activities to improve teaching skills and to remain current in areas of expertise.
Maintain knowledge of current trends and issues impacting the occupational therapy profession.
Develop and revise curriculum vitae and faculty development plan annually.

Other Duties: Scholarship -
Engage in scholarship to develop and or apply/integrate knowledge in a field of expertise appropriate to occupational therapy practice.
Effectively critique and utilize research literature and educational materials that will promote critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and lifelong learning in preparing future practitioners.
Critically integrate theory and research evidence into practice and collaborate with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to implement evidence-based information in fieldwork process.
Facilitate best practices in using scholarship of teaching and learning in practice settings.

Other Duties: Service (Institution and/or Community) -
Participate in program and university activities with outside groups as applicable.
Serve as liaison to external agencies, business and industry, and other educational institutions.
Promote a positive image by being an advocate for the program and the university.
Maintain an awareness of recent research, developments, and trends in the higher education system through reading journals, attending conferences, etc.
Serve on various university/campus committees as approved by supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Doctoral degree accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency. The doctoral degree is not limited to a doctorate in occupational therapy.

Other Required Qualifications
Initially Certified Occupational Therapist licensed in the state of Georgia
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills

Required Experience
Clinical practice as an occupational therapist
Documented 8 years' experience in field of occupational therapy
Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning)
Understanding of the role of the occupational therapy assistant.
At least 3 years of experience in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the postsecondary level.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Strong knowledge of the Occupational Therapy profession, particularly in an academic setting
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Strong organizational skills
Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
Strong active listening skills
Strong ability to prioritize and multi-task
Strong advising skills
Strong knowledge of strategic planning and interpretation of data
Skilled in development of curricula and syllabi
Ability to understand budget and communicate with leadership regarding needs.
Knowledge of many policies and procedures, handbook regulations, and guidelines, as well as legal issues.
Ability to assist faculty and students in use of teaching/learning technologies
Skilled in operating computers, including desktop, laptop, printers, copiers, fax machines

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning

Equal Employment Opportunity

Middle Georgia State University is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment that supports the dignity of all members of the University community. Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (USG) and Middle Georgia State University. Pursuant to Board of Regents Policy Section 6.6 , federal and state laws and regulations, and our vision, mission, and values, Middle Georgia State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual's age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status ("protected status"). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any USG program or activity because of the individual's protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual's protected status, except that preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Other Information

This is a full-time position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement
  

Background Check

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material, and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.