TN Visa Occupational Therapy Assistant Jobs

Position Description

This is a full-time, twelve-month, non-tenure-track instructional faculty position that reports to the Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program in the School of Health Professions at Presbyterian College. This position will contribute to the education, mentorship, and professional development of entry-level doctoral occupational therapy students. The faculty member will provide primary instructional expertise in pediatric occupational therapy while also contributing to curricular, experiential, and professional development needs of the program. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The duties of the position are as follows:

Pediatric Teaching Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and teach pediatric occupational therapy content across the OTD curriculum, including pediatric evaluation, assessment, intervention, clinical reasoning, documentation, and evidence-based practice.
• Provide instruction addressing occupational performance, participation, and development across infancy, childhood, and adolescence, with consideration of physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, developmental, and environmental factors.
• Integrate pediatric content across occupational therapy practice settings, including early intervention, schools, outpatient pediatrics, inpatient and rehabilitation settings, community-based programs, and other emerging areas of pediatric practice.
• Design and facilitate engaging classroom, laboratory, simulation, case-based, and experiential learning activities that promote clinical reasoning and application of occupational therapy theory to pediatric practice.
• Incorporate evidence-based pediatric assessment tools, intervention approaches, clinical documentation, outcome measures, and current professional standards into coursework.
• Teach students to analyze the relationship between child development, occupations, routines, environments, and participation in meaningful activities.
• Incorporate family-centered, occupation-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate approaches to pediatric occupational therapy practice.
• Prepare students to collaborate effectively with parents, caregivers, educators, healthcare providers, and other professionals involved in the care and support of children and families.
• Incorporate community-based pediatric learning experiences that allow students to apply classroom knowledge to authentic occupational therapy situations. This expectation aligns with the OTD program’s emphasis on experiential learning, community engagement, and service.
• Evaluate student learning through appropriately designed examinations, practical examinations, assignments, laboratory performance, presentations, clinical reasoning activities, and other assessment methods.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Teach a course load appropriate to the discipline and position.
• Plan and organize instruction to maximize student learning objectives.
• Implement contemporary teaching and learning strategies to communicate subject matter to students.
• Modify, as needed, instructional approaches to address student diversity.
• Learn and use technology to enhance teaching and the educational experience, i.e., the internet, Institutional learning system (Blackboard etc.), distance coursework (tele-medicine/video conferencing as needed), and other interactive technology, as appropriate.
• Encourage and facilitate the development of communication skills and higher order thinking skills through appropriate assignments.
• Contribute to the selection and development of instructional materials in accordance with course objectives and the curricular design.
• Incorporate specific core competencies into specific coursework taught.
• Develop, update, and post course syllabi in a timely manner in accordance with program policies.
• Manage classrooms and labs to ensure equipment is maintained and up-to-date.
• Serve as a mentor and advisor for students’ doctoral projects as assigned.

Teaching Outcomes

• Develop and explain methods that fairly measure student progress toward student learning outcomes and specific course objectives.
• Evaluate student performance fairly and consistently and return student work promptly to promote maximum learning.
• Identify students at risk for not meeting performance criteria in order to assist students with engaging the appropriate resources for success.
• Maintain accurate documentation/records of student progress and submit final grade rosters to Program Director/Administrative staff each semester according to established deadlines.
• Meet with advisees at least once a semester and maintain accurate documentation of any issues, progress, or positives discussed. (note: documentation to be placed in student’s program file)

Support of Program Policies and Procedures

• Post and maintain regular office hours to ensure accessibility for advisement and consultation.
• Serve as faculty advisor within the current program/college advisement system as assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information. (i.e., FERPA, HIPAA, etc.)
• Substitute for other instructors within field or discipline in case of an absence.
• Exercise stewardship (fiduciary responsibility) of college facilities and materials.
• Participate in peer evaluation of faculty including observations and reviews as required.
• Recruit students by supporting and participating in official college recruiting functions, visitation, and hosting of visiting groups as well as participation in interviews, vetting, and decision making of potential admissions to the program. (Student Affairs)
• Participate in the continuous quality improvement of the OTD program including course/programmatic changes. (Academic Affairs)
• Facilitate and participate in connections with programs (community, medical, and other organizations) to enhance the OTD program.
• Participate as a committee member with responsibilities as assigned for national programmatic accreditation.
• Represent the College/Department in community events relative to the OTD Program.
• Assist advisees with registration in the Fall, Spring, and Summer as needed.

Service

• Serve on programmatic and university committees as assigned.
• Actively participate in his/her professional association(s).
• Serve as a university liaison in community and/or professional activities.
• Can use 4-8 hours/week to engage in professional development (clinical work, research, etc.) as approved by the program director.

College and Program Activities

• Serve on college and program committees as assigned.
• Participate in meetings and events required by the college and program administrators.
• Respond in a timely fashion to information requests from college and program administrators.
• Support both part-time and full-time colleagues.
• Contribute to program and college curriculum development processes.
• Participate in graduation ceremonies.
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills in communication with students, colleagues, staff, and administrators as an individual or as a part of a team.
• Maintain familiarity with program and college goals, mission, and long-range plans.
• Contribute to planning and development processes through appropriate systems.
• Participate in professional activities that contribute to the educational goals of the department, college, and its constituents.
• Perform professional responsibilities in accordance with pertinent goals, missions, and plans of the college and programs.

Scholarship

• Establish and implement an approved scholarship plan/faculty development plan as required by accreditation and PC standards.
• Stay current with clinical practice and evidence that support content area expertise, professional growth, and professional certification and licensure requirements.
• Disseminate scholarly work consistent with PC policies and accreditation expectations.
• Demonstrate commitment to scholarly advancement at state, national, and international professional events (minimum one per year).

Professional Behaviors

• Serve as a role model for faculty members, students, and staff in the department and college.
• Stay current in subject matter through professional development, involvement in professional organizations, and/or attending professional meetings, conferences, or workshops.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to student needs and circumstances.

Administrative

• As stated in teaching requirements for program coursework. No authority or responsibility for the supervision of others, project direction, or program administration unless assigned by the program chair.

Other

• Other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

Reporting Relationships

• Direction Received: Receives guidance and direct supervision from the Program Director/Chair.

Minimum Requirements

• 3-5 years of experience as an Occupational Therapist in a clinical practice setting.
• Academic and experiential qualifications and backgrounds (identified in documented descriptions of roles and responsibilities) that are necessary to meet program objectives and the mission of the institution.
• Expertise in a specific area of the discipline.
• Doctoral Degree required in Occupational Therapy or related field of study.
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.
• State Licensure.

Preferred Requirements

• Teaching experience.
• Student interaction as clinical instructor or coordinator.

To Apply

Interested individuals should provide a cover letter explaining interest in the position, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from all graduate institutions, and three references with contact information. Materials should be sent electronically to the Program Director, Dr. Moni Keen, at mkeen@presby.edu.

Please contact Dr. Moni Keen, Program Director of the OTD Program, if you have any questions about the position.

About Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College (PC) is a liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. The college is committed to an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students, supports academic freedom, and encourages community involvement. Located in Clinton, South Carolina, PC is approximately 40 minutes from Greenville and Spartanburg, South Carolina and about one hour from Columbia, South Carolina. The region offers abundant opportunity for social and recreational activities, with easy access to Asheville and Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

Presbyterian College is an EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. PC is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.