Adjunct Faculty-Mental Health

Notre Dame of Maryland University • Baltimore, MD

2d

About The Position

The adjunct faculty member in the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program teaches mental health-focused courses and labs, drawing on advanced clinical expertise to develop student competency in occupational therapy evaluation and intervention for people with mental health conditions across the lifespan and across practice settings. The adjunct collaborates with core faculty to provide high-quality, evidence-based learning experiences aligned with ACOTE accreditation standards and the OTD curriculum design.

The role includes teaching assigned courses and course components, preparing and refining course materials, assessing student learning, and providing feedback and academic support. The faculty member maintains expertise in mental health occupational therapy and works with course and program faculty to ensure consistent instruction and integration of mental health content across the curriculum, including fieldwork expectations. The adjunct also participates in required program meetings, training, and selected accreditation or curriculum activities related to assigned courses.

Requirements

• Earned terminal academic degree (OTD, PhD, EdD, ScD, or equivalent) in occupational therapy or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Current NBCOT certification as an OTR and eligibility for Maryland state occupational therapy licensure.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of full-time clinical experience in mental health occupational therapy practice.
• Demonstrated expertise in occupational therapy evaluation and intervention for adults, adolescents, or children with mental health, behavioral health, and psychosocial needs, consistent with assigned teaching responsibilities.
• Prior teaching, precepting, or clinical education experience in higher education or professional training; examples may include adjunct teaching, lab instruction, or extensive fieldwork education.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use learning management systems, including Canvas, and educational technology.

Nice To Haves

• Previous teaching experience in an ACOTE-accredited OTD or MOT program, particularly in psychosocial, behavioral health, or mental health content.
• Current or recent mental health clinical practice and/or mental health-focused scholarship, including presentations, publications, quality-improvement work, advocacy, or practice innovation.
• Demonstrated experience with trauma-informed care, recovery-oriented practice, therapeutic use of self, group dynamics, and/or interprofessional behavioral health practice.
• Experience teaching in hybrid, online, or lab-immersion formats.

Responsibilities

• Teach assigned mental health occupational therapy courses and course components in the OTD curriculum using a variety of instructional methods.
• Prepare, update, and refine syllabi, learning activities, and course materials reflecting current evidence, trauma-informed care principles, and best practices in mental health occupational therapy.
• Develop and grade assignments, tests, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and skill checks to assess student achievement of mental health-related learning outcomes.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback, academic support, and remediation as needed to promote student success in psychosocial and mental health content.
• Maintain expertise in mental health occupational therapy practice through continuing education, clinical practice, scholarship, or professional service.
• Collaborate with lead and course faculty to ensure consistency of instruction, alignment with course and program outcomes, and integration of mental health content across the curriculum, including fieldwork expectations.
• Participate in required program meetings, training sessions, and selected accreditation or curriculum activities related to assigned courses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree