Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Director

Stanbridge University is seeking an experienced and student-centered Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program Director to provide academic, administrative, and operational leadership for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring program quality, regulatory and accreditation compliance, curriculum oversight, faculty development, student success, and continuous program improvement in alignment with the mission and strategic goals of the University.

The Program Director serves as the academic leader of the PTA program and works collaboratively with university leadership, faculty, clinical partners, and support departments to maintain excellence in teaching, learning outcomes, accreditation standards, and workforce readiness.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Administration

• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the PTA program.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable institutional, state, federal, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement program goals, strategic initiatives, and continuous improvement plans.
• Monitor program effectiveness through assessment of student outcomes, retention, licensure outcomes, graduate success, and employer satisfaction.
• Prepare reports, analyses, and recommendations related to program performance and effectiveness.
• Participate in budgeting, resource planning, equipment acquisition, and program development activities.
• Foster a positive academic culture that promotes student engagement, faculty collaboration, and professional excellence.

Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain ongoing compliance with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards and requirements.
• Lead accreditation activities, including self-studies, annual reports, substantive change reports, and site visit preparation.
• Ensure timely collection, analysis, and reporting of program outcomes and assessment data.
• Collaborate with institutional leadership to address accreditation findings and implement corrective action plans as necessary.
• Maintain familiarity with evolving accreditation standards, educational best practices, and industry trends.

Curriculum & Instruction

• Provide oversight of curriculum design, implementation, evaluation, and revision.
• Ensure curriculum remains current with contemporary physical therapist assistant practice and educational standards.
• Promote evidence-based teaching methodologies and instructional innovation.
• Support the integration of technology-enhanced learning, simulation, laboratory instruction, and clinical education experiences.
• Participate in teaching activities as appropriate to meet program and accreditation needs.

Faculty Leadership & Development

• Recruit, onboard, supervise, mentor, and evaluate PTA faculty members.
• Promote faculty development in educational methodology, instructional design, student assessment, and outcomes evaluation.
• Conduct regular faculty meetings and facilitate collaboration among instructional teams.
• Support faculty in maintaining professional competency and regulatory compliance.

Student Success

• Promote student achievement, retention, progression, graduation, and licensure success.
• Participate in student advising, academic support initiatives, and student issue resolution.
• Collaborate with student services and academic leadership to address student concerns and support student success.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment that supports diverse student populations.

Clinical Education & Community Partnerships

• Collaborate with clinical education personnel to support quality clinical learning experiences.
• Develop and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations, clinical partners, and community stakeholders.
• Promote professional engagement and workforce development opportunities for students and graduates.

University Service

• Participate in university committees, meetings, strategic initiatives, and special projects.
• Support institutional goals and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license/certification in a United States jurisdiction and eligibility for California practice.
• Minimum of Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of five (5) years of post-licensure professional experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time clinical experience or equivalent.
• Experience in classroom, laboratory, and/or clinical teaching.
• Experience in administration, management, leadership, or academic program oversight.
• Demonstrated preparation in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and outcome assessment consistent with CAPTE standards.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary PTA practice, educational principles, and accreditation requirements.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proficiency with educational technology, learning management systems, and data-driven decision making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy, Education, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Prior experience serving as a Program Director, Academic Coordinator, Director of Clinical Education, Assistant Program Director, or similar academic leadership role.
• Experience with CAPTE accreditation activities, self-studies, annual reporting, and site visits.
• Multi-campus higher education experience.
• Experience developing curriculum, assessment plans, and outcomes evaluation systems.
• Experience supervising faculty and managing academic operations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of CAPTE accreditation standards and higher education compliance requirements.
• Ability to analyze educational outcomes and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to lead teams, manage competing priorities, and meet regulatory deadlines.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, students, clinical partners, and university leadership.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.
• Commitment to student-centered education and academic excellence.

Compensation:

• Compensation is based on education, experience, specialty expertise, and internal equity considerations.

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 to determine U.S. degree equivalency and applicable subject-area coursework.
• 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 or bedside environments as required by the program.
• 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.

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.