Tenure Track - 530653

The University of Alabama•Alabama, AL

24d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Alabama invites applications and nominations for the Director of Clinical Education (DCE) for its developing Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program. Pending approval by The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama and successful progression through the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) candidacy and accreditation processes, the DPT program will help address documented workforce needs and expand access to physical therapist services, particularly in rural and underserved communities across Alabama and the Southeast. We seek a student-centered physical therapist educator, clinician, and scholar to lead the development, administration, assessment, and continuous improvement of the clinical education component of the DPT curriculum. The DCE will collaborate with the Program Director, faculty, staff, students, clinical education sites, and community partners to establish high-quality clinical education experiences that support entry-level physical therapist practice and advance the mission of the College of Community Health Sciences (CCHS). CCHS is vibrant and growing, with academic programs in Rural Community Health, Population Health Sciences, Translational Science and Medicine, and additional programs under development. CCHS is home to a nationally renowned Sports Medicine Clinic and Sports Medicine Fellowship. CCHS also houses Family Medicine and Psychiatry residency programs and fellowships in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry, and Emergency Medicine. University Medical Center within CCHS is a network of multidisciplinary clinics and hospitalists serving communities across West Alabama. Appointments to the faculty of The University of Alabama are based on the personnel requirements of the University’s academic programs and on the goal of achieving and maintaining excellence in its teaching, research, and service/academic citizenship activities.

Requirements

Physical therapist who is licensed and in good standing in a U.S. jurisdiction and is eligible for physical therapist licensure in Alabama.
Earned academic doctoral degree from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; a DPT degree alone may be considered when accompanied by additional academic credentials, specialization, or a record of scholarly achievement appropriate to the appointment and institutional requirements.
Minimum of five (5) years of full-time or equivalent experience as a physical therapist, including substantive clinical practice and experience in physical therapist clinical education as a clinical instructor, site coordinator of clinical education, DCE, assistant DCE, or comparable role.
Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary physical therapist practice, clinical education, evidence-based practice, student assessment, and professional standards.
Experience teaching, mentoring, or supervising learners in professional or postbaccalaureate education.
Evidence of effective communication, collaboration, organization, and the ability to develop and sustain clinical partnerships.
Record of scholarship, service, and professional engagement appropriate to the faculty rank and appointment sought.
Qualifications commensurate with appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor rank on a tenure-track, tenured, or clinical track, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

Earned PhD, EdD, DSc, or other academic doctoral degree relevant to physical therapist education, rehabilitation science, health professions education, or a related field.
Prior service as a DCE, assistant DCE, site coordinator of clinical education, or in a comparable leadership role within physical therapist education.
Experience with CAPTE candidacy, accreditation, self-study, reporting, program assessment, or compliance activities.
Demonstrated experience developing, administering, and assessing clinical education experiences and partnerships.
Documented professional development in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, clinical instructor development, and program or outcome assessment.
Experience with curriculum development, program evaluation, simulation, educational technology, or innovative models of clinical education.
Evidence of interprofessional education or practice and collaborative partnerships with health systems, community organizations, and rural or underserved clinical sites.
Active engagement in the American Physical Therapy Association or other relevant professional organizations.
Strong record of scholarship and teaching appropriate to the rank and faculty track sought.
Strategic, collaborative, and outcomes-oriented leadership; excellent written and oral communication; and demonstrated ability to expand and sustain clinical partnerships responsive to Alabama’s workforce needs.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the clinical education component of the developing DPT program in collaboration with the Program Director, Associate Program Director, faculty, staff, and clinical partners.
Design, implement, administer, and evaluate clinical education experiences across the curriculum.
Develop and maintain a sufficient and diverse network of clinical education sites and qualified clinical instructors.
Coordinate student placement, readiness, orientation, communication, supervision, assessment, and remediation.
Maintain affiliation agreements and documentation related to health, safety, licensure, privacy, and site requirements.
Provide development and support for clinical instructors.
Monitor the quality, capacity, and effectiveness of clinical education through stakeholder feedback and outcomes data.
Use assessment findings for continuous program improvement.
Maintain accurate records and evidence needed for CAPTE candidacy, accreditation, reporting, and ongoing compliance.
Teach in areas of expertise.
Advise and mentor students.
Participate as a core faculty member in curriculum and program governance.
Contribute to scholarship and service consistent with appointment and rank.
Help expand clinical partnerships that support rural and underserved communities.