Program Director - Hybrid Distance Learning DPT Program, Department of Physical Therapy

Number of Positions In Requisition

1



Job Details

Thomas Jefferson University seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as the inaugural Program Director of its accelerated Hybrid Distance Learning Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead a new educational pathway within a nationally recognized Department of Physical Therapy while advancing excellence in physical therapist education. The Program Director will lead the design, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement of this new program. The distance learning pathway will operate within the Department of Physical Therapy alongside the department's well-established residential DPT program. Reporting to the Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, the Program Director will collaborate closely with department, college, and university leadership.

The successful candidate will be an experienced physical therapist educator, relationship-builder, and leader who can cultivate university, community, and clinical partnerships while supporting faculty, staff, and students.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience teaching in a distance learning environment; however, all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. This position is eligible for remote work within the United States and requires travel to Jefferson's Philadelphia campus approximately two to four times per trimester for on-site instructional, leadership, and community-building activities.

Leadership Roles and Responsibilities

Provide leadership in curriculum design, program implementation, faculty recruitment, and development of strategic clinical partnerships.

Foster a learning environment that promotes student engagement, academic success, professional formation, and a culture of belonging.

Lead program review, outcomes assessment, and continuous quality improvement to ensure program excellence and sustainability.

Oversee all academic and administrative operations of the program.

Provide faculty evaluation, mentoring, and personnel management.

Participate in fiscal planning, budgeting, and resource management.

Support student recruitment, retention, and success.

Ensure ongoing compliance with CAPTE accreditation standards.

Teach within areas of expertise and program need.

Teaching, Scholarship, and Service

As a core faculty member, the Program Director will contribute to teaching, scholarship, service, and faculty governance within the DPT program and the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Responsibilities include:

Teaching or co-teaching physical therapy courses within the hybrid distance learning DPT program.

Maintaining a scholarly agenda consistent with academic rank and expectations for core faculty.

Participating in program, college, university, professional, and community service activities, including committees, accreditation initiatives, clinical education consortia, and professional organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Experience with hybrid, online, or distance education preferred.

Demonstrated proficiency, or willingness to develop expertise, in online and hybrid pedagogy, instructional technology, and evidence-based teaching practices.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational and project management skills.

Proficiency with data and database management.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing priorities.

Commitment to interprofessional collaboration across healthcare disciplines and organizations.

Demonstrated commitment to supporting students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Job Description

Required Qualifications

Minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience, including at least three years as a core faculty member in an entry-level physical therapist education program.

Academic doctorate in a related field.

Associate Professor rank (or higher), or qualifications that support appointment at that rank.

Current physical therapy licensure in Pennsylvania or eligibility for Pennsylvania licensure.

Record of scholarly achievement commensurate with academic appointment.

Evidence of teaching excellence.

Effective leadership and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with distance learning education.

Experience with CAPTE accreditation processes.

Experience with and vision for student retention and support

ABPTS board certification, residency, or fellowship training.

The Department of Physical Therapy resides within the Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, which brings together occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, athletic training, and exercise science. The college advances education, research, clinical practice, and community engagement through an interdisciplinary rehabilitation sciences environment.

The Department offers physical therapy education through several pathways including a 3+3 exercise science to DPT track, a longstanding traditional in person program which has a national reputation for excellence in physical therapy education, and this new accelerated hybrid distance learning program.

This is a full-time, 12-month academic and administrative appointment. Faculty rank and track will be determined based on the successful candidate’s qualifications, academic record, and alignment with Thomas Jefferson University appointment criteria.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Interested candidates should submit an online application, curriculum vitae, cover letter, and leadership philosophy statement through the Jefferson careers site htttp://hr.jefferson.edu/human-resources.html then enter in the search box REQ-0037441.

Work Shift

Workday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub Type

Regular

Employee Entity

Thomas Jefferson University

Primary Location Address

901 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

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