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Faculty will impact the future of medicine and healthcare delivery by collaborating with the Director and Chair of the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program. For over 120 years, we share a singular mission to develop distinctive health professionals committed to health promotion, the discovery of knowledge, and service to the community. This is an exceptional time to join our team, as we prepare to move to our new state-of-the-art campus in West Des Moines in Fall 2023.

This role will plan, coordinate, and facilitate OTD courses and laboratories. This will include cooperation and collaboration with other program faculty and staff and other University departments to create and maintain an exceptional educational program for OTD students. As a faculty member, duties of all faculty positions include teaching, service, and scholarly activities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide evidence-based instruction to occupational therapy students within various settings such as lecture, laboratory, small group discussions, simulations, individual tutoring sessions, and web-based or technologically enhanced courses. Expertise in the following subjects is expected:
  • Physical rehabilitation, including kinesiology and upper extremity rehabilitation
• Coordinate one or more courses for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy Program and assume responsibility for the development and updates of the course syllabus/syllabi.
• Teach in one or more courses within the occupational therapy curriculum in areas of expertise, as assigned by the Program Director.
• If expertise in a given instructional area is sought by other University departments, teaching opportunities will be coordinated between the faculty member and Department of Occupational Therapy Chair within the established workload.
• Prepare and deliver lectures and labs to occupational therapy students. Develop course materials for assigned areas of teaching. Stimulate class discussions. Develop, administer, and grade/review examinations, practicals, and assignments.
• Maintain current knowledge of occupational therapy literature, reimbursement, and ACOTE standards as they relate to assigned coursework.
• Evaluate student performance and assure the availability of remedial instruction.
• Utilize technology-based applications to facilitate teaching and assigned curricular content delivery.
• Map didactic and clinical curricula by linking assessments and course-specific instructional objectives to DMU university-wide learning outcomes and ACOTE standards via the University’s learning management system.
• Actively participate in academic and clinical scholarship as assigned by the Department Chair and reflected in the workload allocations, including but not limited to obtaining internal and external grant funding, article submissions, presentations, peer review, and/or mentoring student research.
• Provide mentorship to student research groups and individual student capstone experiences and projects.
• Provide service to the Department, College, University, and community, as assigned by the Program Director. Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
• Assisting the Department in the ongoing review and assessment of the curriculum.
• Assisting the Department in the ongoing review and assessment of the program.
• Assisting the Department in accreditation activities.
• Assisting the Department in the academic progress and review of OTD students.
• Serving as an academic or clinical plan of study advisor to OTD students.
• Assisting in the admissions process by interviewing and evaluating candidates and participating in recruiting events.
• Serving on Department, College, and University committees as assigned.
• Attend University, College, and Program/Department meetings as scheduled. Serve on University, College, and/or Program/Department committees as approved by the Department Chair.
• Represent the Program and the University at local, state, and national levels, as appropriate, and as approved by the Department Chair. Participate in professional organizations related to occupational therapy, as well as local and community service activities, as approved by the Department Chair.
• Clinical duties as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties or special projects as assigned. This may include interviewing applicants, speaking at pre-OT campus clubs, etc.
• Participate in and successfully complete all University required training including, but not limited to discrimination/harassment and code of conduct.

Education and experience:

• Occupational therapist with an active Iowa license or eligibility for Iowa licensure.
• Doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency. Post-professional or research doctorate preferred (e.g. PhD, EdD, P-OTD).
• Minimum of 3 years of clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Experience in teaching is preferred and highly desirable.
• Must possess or be eligible for licensure as an occupational therapist in Iowa and maintain an active occupational therapy license in Iowa while on faculty at Des Moines University.

Essential skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be collaborative and work well on a team.
• Computer knowledge and skills, including use of Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Ability to work with people at all levels and provide high levels of customer service.
• Ability to work and think independently, analyze problems and reach solutions, anticipate required work, and self-initiate projects that have periodic or cyclical deadlines.
• Embody the philosophy of “One University” and align priorities and actions with College and University Strategic Goals, Vision, and Mission.
• Ability to occasionally work outside of and in excess of normal working hours as support to events and activities necessitate.
• At the discretion of the supervisor and based upon mutual agreement, flexible work arrangements may be considered.

About DMU:

Our employees are what make DMU special, so we treat them well!  Our Total Rewards reflect this commitment. Qualified faculty and staff enjoy outstanding health/medical benefits, a generous retirement match, flexible work arrangements, tuition assistance, professional development funding, and access to wellness facilities with programs that promote a well-balanced lifestyle.  Visit dmu.edu/employment to learn more about our benefits.  

Founded in 1898, Des Moines University is a premier medical and health sciences institution comprising of three colleges– College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, and College of Health Sciences – that offer nine graduate degree programs. The programs share a collective strength — an inclusive campus community where students and faculty come together in pursuit of knowledge, research, and innovation. Join us as we impact the future of medicine and healthcare in our new state of the art campus opening in West Des Moines in 2023.

Required Documents:

Resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references required at time of online submission. Apply at: https://www.dmu.edu/employment

Department: OTD                                                                                 Status:  Exempt

Work Schedule:  8-5:00 M-F

Des Moines University is an equal opportunity employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information and other characteristics protected by law (“protected class”). Applications from candidates from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.