Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Director

Stanbridge University•Irvine, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced and student-centered Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Director to provide academic, administrative, and operational leadership for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring program quality, regulatory and accreditation compliance, curriculum oversight, faculty development, student success, and continuous program improvement in alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the University. The Program Director serves as the academic leader of the PTA program and works collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, clinical partners, and support departments to maintain excellence in teaching, learning outcomes, accreditation standards, and workforce readiness.

Requirements

Active, unrestricted Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license/certification in a United States jurisdiction and eligibility for California practice.
Minimum of Master's degree from an accredited institution.
Minimum of five (5) years of post-licensure professional experience.
Minimum of three (3) years of full-time clinical experience or equivalent.
Experience in classroom, laboratory, and/or clinical teaching.
Experience in administration, management, leadership, or academic program oversight.
Demonstrated preparation in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and outcome assessment consistent with CAPTE standards.
Strong knowledge of contemporary PTA practice, educational principles, and accreditation requirements.
Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
Proficiency with educational technology, learning management systems, and data-driven decision making.

Nice To Haves

Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, Education, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
Prior experience serving as a Program Director, Academic Coordinator, Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Program Director, or similar academic leadership role.
Experience with CAPTE accreditation activities, self-studies, annual reporting, and site visits.
Multi-campus higher education experience.
Experience developing curriculum, assessment plans, and outcomes evaluation systems.
Experience supervising faculty and managing academic operations.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the PTA program.
Ensure compliance with all applicable institutional, state, federal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
Develop and implement program goals, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement plans.
Monitor program effectiveness through assessment of student outcomes, retention, licensure outcomes, graduate success, and employer satisfaction.
Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations related to program performance and effectiveness.
Participate in budgeting, resource planning, equipment acquisition, and program development activities.
Foster a positive academic culture that promotes student engagement, faculty collaboration, and professional excellence.
Maintain ongoing compliance with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards and requirements.
Lead accreditation activities, including self-studies, annual reports, substantive change reports, and site visit preparation.
Ensure timely collection, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes and assessment data.
Collaborate with institutional leadership to address accreditation findings and implement corrective action plans as necessary.
Maintain familiarity with evolving accreditation standards, educational best practices, and industry trends.
Provide oversight of curriculum design, implementation, evaluation, and revision.
Ensure curriculum remains current with contemporary physical therapist assistant practice and educational standards.
Promote evidence-based teaching methodologies and instructional innovation.
Support the integration of technology-enhanced learning, simulation, laboratory instruction, and clinical education experiences.
Participate in teaching activities as appropriate to meet program and accreditation needs.
Recruit, onboard, supervise, mentor, and evaluate PTA faculty members.
Promote faculty development in educational methodology, instructional design, student assessment, and outcomes evaluation.
Conduct regular faculty meetings and facilitate collaboration among instructional teams.
Support faculty in maintaining professional competency and regulatory compliance.
Promote student achievement, retention, progression, graduation, and licensure success.
Participate in student advising, academic support initiatives, and student issue resolution.
Collaborate with student services and academic leadership to address student concerns and support student success.
Foster an inclusive learning environment that supports diverse student populations.
Collaborate with clinical education personnel to support quality clinical learning experiences.
Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations, clinical partners, and community stakeholders.
Promote professional engagement and workforce development opportunities for students and graduates.
Participate in university committees, meetings, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
Support institutional goals and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
Perform other duties as assigned.