Description

Position Summary
The Program Director for Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) provides academic and program leadership for the OTA Program. This position ensures effective program operations, maintains program accreditation, promotes high-quality instruction, and supports student success in both academic and clinical settings.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Director must adhere to the general guidelines as specified by the College’s Policy and Procedures Manual, the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Board of Trustees.

Pay
Appropriate placement on the Alabama Community College System salary schedule D1.

For any questions or additional information, please contact the Human Resources Department at hr@coastalalabama.edu. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

At a minimum, the essential functions of this position shall include: 

1. Program Leadership and Administration
    1.1 Assure the effective operation of the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program to meet all programmatic, administrative, and accreditation-related responsibilities.
    1.2 Assume a leadership role in the ongoing development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the program.
    1.3 Be responsible for the management and administration of the program, including planning, evaluation, budgeting, personnel selection, and resource allocation.
    1.4 Oversee and maintain program accreditation, assessment, and reporting processes in accordance with Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards and institutional requirements.
    1.5 Maintain current program policies, procedures, outcomes, and assessment plans aligned with the mission of the institution.
    1.6 Ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations, as well as accreditation standards.
    1.7 Document program effectiveness, including student learning outcomes, retention, graduation, certification exam pass rates, and employment outcomes.
    1.8 Communicate and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administration, advisory committee members, students, and external partners.
    1.9 Become familiar with and adhere to institutional policies and procedures as outlined in the College Catalog, Policy and Procedures Manual, and ACCS Policy Manual.
2. Curriculum and Instruction
    2.1 Develop, implement, evaluate, and revise the OTA curriculum to ensure alignment with ACOTE standards, institutional outcomes, and current occupational therapy assistant practice.
    2.2 Demonstrate knowledge of curriculum design, instructional strategies, and content delivery methods

            2.3 Deliver effective didactic, laboratory, and/or clinical instruction as assigned.
            2.4 Provide hands-on skills instruction, demonstrations, supervision, and remediation to support student competency and professional development.
            2.5 Ensure that all instruction meets programmatic and institutional learning outcomes.
            2.6 Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records of student performance, attendance, and grades.
            2.7 Abide by all instructional and institutional policies, procedures, and deadlines.
            2.8 Foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that promotes professionalism, ethical practice, and student well-being.

1. Faculty Oversight and Development
    3.1 Recruit, orient, supervise, and evaluate full-time and adjunct/part-time faculty.
    3.2 Ensure that faculty meet required academic credentials, licensure, and regulatory requirements in accordance with ACOTE standards and institutional policy.
    3.3 Verify and maintain documentation of current licensure, certification, health records, and professional qualifications for faculty and staff.
    3.4 Ensure that faculty who are occupational therapy practitioners teaching occupational therapy content are currently licensed or otherwise regulated as occupational therapists or occupational therapy assistants in the applicable jurisdiction.
    3.5 Ensure that faculty who are not occupational therapy practitioners are licensed or otherwise regulated as required by their respective professions.
    3.6 Plan and support faculty orientation, mentoring, evaluation, and professional development activities.
    3.7 Ensure faculty adherence to college and program standards for instruction, assessment, professionalism, and student engagement.
2. Clinical Education Management
    4.1 Establish, maintain, and evaluate affiliation agreements with clinical education partners.
    4.2 Oversee the coordination of student clinical placements, schedules, site requirements, and orientations.
    4.3 Ensure that clinical learning experiences meet program competencies, learning outcomes, and ACOTE standards.
    4.4 Maintain ongoing communication with clinical site supervisors to support student learning and evaluate performance.
    4.5 Ensure compliance with all requirements mandated by partnering clinical facilities.
3. Student Success 
    5.1 Oversee program admissions and ensure compliance with clinical eligibility requirements, including background checks, drug screenings, and health documentation.
    5.2 Advise students regarding academic progress, clinical readiness, professional behaviors, and career development.
    5.3 Demonstrate knowledge of and provide referrals to institutional and community resources that support student well-being.
    5.4 Maintain accurate student records and monitor progress toward program completion.
    5.5 Promote student retention, graduation, certification examination success, and employment outcomes.
4. Professionalism and Continuing Education
    6.1 Maintain current licensure as required by the Alabama Board of Occupational Therapy or applicable regulatory body.
    6.2 Maintain documented current expertise in assigned areas of teaching and student advisement.
    6.3 Engage in scholarship, including but not limited to scholarship of application, teaching and learning, or professional practice.
    6.4 Remain current in occupational therapy practice, OTA education, and instructional methodologies through ongoing professional development.
    6.5 Participate in professional organizations, continuing education activities, workshops, and conferences.
    6.6 Represent the OTA Program and the College in community, professional, and advisory activities.

All positions at Coastal Alabama have the job responsibilities below:

1. Handles sensitive information in a confidential manner.  
2. Maintains a highly professional attitude and demeanor at all times. 
3. Provides responsible, appropriate, and satisfactory leadership on campus and within the College.  
4. Communicates positively and professionally in all aspects of the position.  
5. Attends all staff meetings, College meetings, and professional development activities.  
6. Becomes thoroughly familiar with all pertinent state and national policies and comply with said policies. 
7. Serves on and provides information to college committees as needed. 
8. Complies with ACCS and College policies, as well as state and federal laws. 
9. Ensures the positive promotion of the College and integration of all campuses within the College. 
10. Is prompt and punctual in reporting for work, meetings, and office hours.  
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Must be a certified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who is currently licensed or otherwise regulated according to the laws of the state(s) or jurisdiction(s) in which the program is located.
• Must hold a minimum of a master’s degree awarded by an institution accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency. 
• Must have a minimum of five (5) years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy, which includes:
1. Clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant.
2. Administrative experience, including program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
3. Scholarly activity, such as scholarship of application or scholarship of teaching and learning.
4. Demonstrated understanding of and experience with occupational therapy assistants.
5. A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the post-secondary level.
• Demonstrated academic and experiential qualifications necessary to meet program objectives and support the mission of the institution.
• Documented effectiveness in teaching and evaluation of student learning.
• Documented current expertise in assigned teaching areas and student advisement, including knowledge of student support and well-being resources.
• Knowledge of curriculum design, instructional delivery methods, and integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice principles.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Familiarity with course learning management systems and clinical documentation tools.

Application Procedures/Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: 

A complete application packet consists of the following: 

       A completed online application form. 

       Current resume’ showing education degrees earned and complete employment history. 

       Copies of transcripts from all colleges attended where required degrees were conferred. Degree(s) must be posted on transcripts. Official copies will be required if employed with the institution. 

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated in this vacancy announcement and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for an open position. Applications that do not have the required attachments are considered incomplete and will be immediately rejected. In addition, only completed applications received during the period of this vacancy announcement will be considered. 

All applicants are required to apply on-line for job opportunities. To apply on-line, go to http://www.coastalalabama.edu/employment/ and click on the job title you are interested in and then click on the "Apply" link. If this is the first time you are applying using our on- line job application, you will need to create an account and select a Username and Password. 

Please Note: 

•        It is recommended that you have digital (PDF) copies of your resume and unofficial and/or official transcripts. You will be required to upload this during the application process. 
•        We do not accept paper, faxed or emailed applications and application materials. 
•        You may not put “see resume” on any section of the application form. 
•        Please ensure that uploads are not behind a paywall or a password-protected area. The screening committee may disqualify your application packet if required uploads are inaccessible. 
•        When you finish the steps to apply to a job, you will receive an on-screen notice that you’ve successfully applied. However, this notice does not mean your application materials are complete. 
•        Correspondence regarding positions (i.e., scheduled interview appointment, position filled announcement) will be sent to applicants through the e-mail address used on the applicants’ NEOGOV accounts. Applicants are required to monitor their e-mail accounts for updates regarding positions. 
•        Incomplete application packets will eliminate the possibility of an interview. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure his or her application packet is complete. 
•        The college may require that applicants for faculty positions submit supplementary information from the attending college registrar to explain undergraduate courses that received graduate credit on the academic transcript prior to being considered for an interview. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Coastal Alabama Community College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, shall be discriminated against on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law. 

It is College policy to provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement to all applicants and employees as required by appropriate federal and state law. 

Coastal Alabama Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. Applicants in need of an accommodation(s), should contact the Human Resources Office prior to the interview. 

Coastal Alabama Community College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to the awarding. The College reserves the right to fill the position within one year of the stated anticipated starting date or not to fill the position due to budgetary or operational considerations. Further, the College reserves the right to fill more than one position in the same job classification should another vacancy occur during the search process. 

Coastal Alabama Community College is a multi-campus organization and employees of the College may be assigned to work at any of the College worksites, may be required to travel among various work sites for both day, evening, and weekend responsibilities, and must provide their own mode of transportation. 

Coastal Alabama Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security. 

In accordance with Alabama Community College System policy and procedures, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. 

Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.  

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: This position has direct and/or indirect supervisory responsibilities over program instructors and adjuncts within the department in compliance with ACCS and Coastal Alabama Community College policy and procedures as well and federal and state law.

Requirements