Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (OTA Program)

Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) for the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program plays a critical leadership role in the development, coordination, and continuous improvement of the program's fieldwork education component. This position is responsible for ensuring that all experiential learning aligns with curriculum design, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, and programmatic outcomes.

This role is designed for doctoral-prepared occupational therapy professionals (OTR or COTA) seeking to apply their clinical and educational expertise in an academic leadership capacity. The AFWC directly impacts student readiness for clinical practice by ensuring high-quality, well-aligned fieldwork experiences across diverse healthcare settings.

This position offers a structured academic environment with predictable scheduling, reduced physical demands compared to clinical practice, and the opportunity to influence student outcomes at scale through strong clinical partnerships and program development.

Role Focus: This position is primarily administrative and relationship-driven, with a focus on fieldwork program coordination, site development, compliance, and student placement oversight. Teaching responsibilities are limited and secondary to fieldwork leadership.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the coordination and administration of OTA fieldwork education in alignment with program goals, institutional strategy, and ACOTE standards.
• Ensure fieldwork education aligns with curriculum design and sequencing to strengthen integration between didactic instruction and clinical application.
• Develop, expand, and maintain a diverse portfolio of high-quality fieldwork sites reflective of current healthcare environments.
• Establish and manage affiliation agreements to ensure sufficient placement capacity for timely student progression and program completion.
• Coordinate all aspects of fieldwork placement, including site selection, scheduling, and student assignment.
• Oversee administrative compliance, including contracts, student health records, immunizations, and required documentation.
• Maintain current knowledge of ACOTE standards and ensure full compliance, including reporting and continuous quality improvement.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with fieldwork educators and clinical partners, providing training and support to enhance student learning outcomes.
• Serve as a liaison between the university and healthcare organizations to strengthen partnerships and expand placement opportunities.
• Monitor and evaluate fieldwork experiences through site visits, student evaluations, and educator feedback.
• Analyze placement outcomes and implement improvements to enhance program effectiveness and student success.
• Advise students on fieldwork preparation, site selection, and strategies for successful completion.
• Prepare reports and documentation related to fieldwork operations, compliance, and program performance.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies related to fieldwork progression and student performance.
• Teach limited coursework within area of expertise as assigned, with primary emphasis on fieldwork coordination.
• Participate in departmental meetings, graduation ceremonies, and institutional events.
• Foster a professional, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.
• Provide excellent service to students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Program Director that do not interfere with fieldwork responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree from a U.S. Department of Education-accredited institution (required).
• Current NBCOT certification as an Occupational Therapist (OTR) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA).
• Active, unencumbered California licensure as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Minimum of three (3) years of documented clinical experience in occupational therapy practice.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards, particularly related to fieldwork education.
• Experience supervising students, coordinating fieldwork, or supporting clinical education preferred.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with healthcare partners.
• Familiarity with institutional, accrediting, state, and federal standards in higher education.
• Proficiency in academic and administrative technology systems (e.g., LMS, student information systems, fieldwork platforms such as EXXAT or CORE preferred).
• Commitment to scholarly engagement and professional development.

Compensation:

Compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity considerations. This role reflects academic leadership responsibility within the OTA program.

Conditions of Employment:

• A job-related assessment may be required during the interview process.
• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be physically present in the office (unless otherwise noted).
• Employment verification will be conducted to validate work experience per accreditation standards.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Official transcripts are required prior to hire. Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment:

• Standard office, classroom, lab, or clinical setting.
• Duties are typically performed while sitting at a desk or computer workstation.
• May include time spent in skills labs, classrooms, and travel to clinical sites where students are placed.
• Subject to frequent interruptions, noise from talking or office equipment, and demanding timelines.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly sits for extended periods.
• Physical ability to perform program- or department-related duties.
• Proficient in using electronic keyboards and office equipment.
• Effective verbal communication via phone and in person.
• Ability to read fine print, operate computers, and understand voices clearly.
• Able to lift, carry, and/or move objects weighing 10–25 pounds as needed.
• Ability to travel independently to clinical locations.

Employee Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Exciting university events
• Seasonal motivational health and wellness challenges
• Work/Life Balance initiatives
• Onsite wellness program / Staff Chiropractor
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Institutional Values:

• Diversity and Inclusion: Stanbridge University's motto, "Strength through Diversity," reflects our deep commitment to honoring the diverse backgrounds of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. We strive to build an inclusive learning environment and uphold anti-discrimination practices in all aspects of university life.
• Innovation and Technology: We embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning through interactive, hands-on experiences, including virtual reality and simulation labs—ensuring students are prepared for the demands of modern healthcare practice.
• Community Engagement: Through initiatives such as Stanbridge outREACH, students are empowered to give back to local and global communities, cultivating compassion, civic responsibility, and social awareness.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Stanbridge University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.