Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program Director

Mitchell Technical College • Mitchell, SD

15h • Onsite

About The Position

Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program Director Mitchell Technical College – Mitchell, SD POSITION SUMMARY Mitchell Technical College is seeking a visionary, highly qualified professional to serve as our Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program Director. This foundational leadership position is scheduled to begin in Fall 2026, providing the successful candidate with a dedicated, two-year runway to navigate the pre-accreditation process and build the program from the ground up prior to welcoming our inaugural cohort of students in Fall 2028. This is a premier role perfect for an experienced physical therapy professional looking to transition from clinic to classroom, take complete ownership of an academic department, and spearhead the development and launch of a brand-new program. The successful candidate will lead the program through its initial development phase, design modern curriculum pathways, secure compliance, and ultimately oversee both classroom and clinical lab environments to guide students toward successful careers.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Hold an active, unencumbered Physical Therapist (PT) license or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license/certification, with the ability to maintain compliance with the practice act in South Dakota.
• Minimum of five (5) years of full-time, post-licensure experience.
• Within those five years, a minimum of three (3) years of full-time clinical practice experience is required.
• Documented experience in classroom, laboratory, or clinical teaching settings.
• Proven experience in healthcare administration, department management, or organizational leadership.
• Must have earned a minimum of 60 contact hours of professional development or education comprehensively covering: Educational theory and methodology, Instructional design, Student evaluation, Outcome assessment.
• Must be able to successfully pass a state and federal criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Drive the comprehensive development, planning, and evaluation of the new PTA program curriculum ahead of the program launch.
• Provide administrative oversight to ensure full compliance with CAPTE pre-accreditation standards and institutional benchmarks.
• Teach core physical therapy theory, manage practical skills labs, utilize advanced student simulations, and oversee clinical experiences across a variety of healthcare settings.
• Direct student advisement, track individual learning outcomes, and foster professional development to maximize degree completion and career placement.
• Partner with institutional leadership, clinical affiliates, and community stakeholders to cultivate a premier training environment.

Benefits

• Participation in the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS).
• Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options.
• Tuition Assistance Program for ongoing professional growth.
• A stable, predictable academic schedule free from clinic weekend or holiday constraints.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager