Director of Clinical Education - Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)

Job Description

Job Description

The Director of Clinical Education (DCE) is responsible for the organization, administration, continuous review, planning, development, and overall effectiveness of all clinical education experiences for students enrolled in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program. The DCE serves as the primary liaison between the College, the Program Director, and affiliated clinical education sites to ensure the quality, consistency, and compliance with accreditation standards of clinical learning experiences.

The DCE reports to the Program Director and holds a faculty appointment consistent with institutional policy and CAPTE requirements. This position is expected to teach up to nine (9) credits per semester in addition to assigned administrative and clinical education coordination responsibilities.

Ability to demonstrate LSSC’s core values of Caring, Communicating, Collaborating, and Celebrating when interacting with students, employees, visitors, and community members.

include, but are not limited to the following:   

• Cooperate with the Program Director to ensure that instruction in affiliated clinical education sites is coordinated, consistent with curriculum objectives, and aligned with CAPTE accreditation standards.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the College, the Program Director, and affiliated clinical education sites, including communication with Center Coordinators of Clinical Education (CCCEs), Clinical Instructors (CIs), and site administrators.
• Develop, organize, and maintain clinical education policies, procedures, and manuals for students and clinical partners, in accordance with institutional policy, CAPTE requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Establish, evaluate, and maintain an adequate number and variety of clinical education sites to support student learning needs across settings, patient populations, and the continuum of care.
• Coordinate student clinical placements, including scheduling, site assignments, and dissemination of clinical education information to students and clinical partners.
• Monitor and evaluate student performance during clinical education experiences, in collaboration with clinical faculty and the Program Director, and maintain performance and proficiency records for all students.
• Provide guidance, support, and intervention as needed to students, Clinical Instructors, and CCCEs to address performance concerns, learning needs, and professional conduct issues.
• Conduct site visits, communications, and evaluations of clinical education sites and clinical faculty to assess quality, appropriateness, and ongoing suitability of learning experiences.
• Develop and coordinate clinical faculty development activities and resources, including orientation materials, in-service education, and communication tools to support effective clinical instruction.

• Ensure that students entering the clinical phase of the program have met all required program and site prerequisites, including but not limited to health requirements, background checks, drug screening, immunizations, liability coverage, and CPR/BLS certification.
• Maintain accurate and current clinical education records, including databases of clinical sites, clinical faculty, student placements, contractual agreements, and site utilization.
• Assist the Program Director in the preparation of accreditation documentation, outcome assessments, and required reports related to clinical education.
• Participate in curriculum development, review, and revision by providing input based on clinical education outcomes, employer feedback, and student performance data.
• Teach didactic and/or clinical education courses as assigned, including preparation of syllabi, assessments, student records, course evaluations, and grade reports in compliance with LSSC policies and master course syllabi.
• Assist the Program Director with program operations, including budget planning related to clinical education, recruitment activities, maintenance of laboratory equipment, ordering of consumable supplies, and student advising.
• Serve on College committees, program advisory committees, and participate in College events such as career days, recruitment activities, and community outreach.
• Maintain current knowledge and professional competence through continuing education, professional development activities, and participation in relevant professional organizations.
• In the absence of the Program Director, assumes delegated duties and responsibilities as assigned.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in clinical teaching and mentoring, and in developing, conducting, and coordinating clinical education experiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice, clinical education principles, and accreditation standards relevant to PTA education.
• Ability to meet faculty qualification requirements as defined by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and institutional policy.
• Experience with assessment tools used in physical therapy clinical education (e.g., CPI or equivalent).
• A professional commitment to physical therapist assistant education and clinical instruction.
• Basic computer literacy and the ability to utilize instructional technologies, learning management systems, and software programs relevant to academic and clinical education administration.
• Experience in teaching, mentoring, and supporting students in clinical or academic settings.
• Ability to evaluate students and clinical instructors and to provide appropriate feedback.
• Ability to work effectively with students from a wide range of backgrounds and educational experiences.
• Knowledge of contemporary physical therapy practice and clinical education principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, clinical partners, and College leadership.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate clinical education experiences across multiple clinical sites.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation related to clinical education activities and to make sound decisions related to student performance and site utilization.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct consistent with institutional standards.
• English reading, writing, and speaking skills at the native level of fluency.

ABILITIES/GENERAL: 

• Promote a common purpose consistent with stated College goals and demonstrate a commitment to students and the learning environment.
• Possess knowledge of general written standards and procedures utilized, and the ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manuals related to job tasks.
• Demonstrate the ability to respond to supervision, guidance, and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.
• Provide quality customer service by creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
• Present a professional image in word, action, and attire.
• Demonstrate professionalism in dealing with students, faculty, staff, and clinical partners while understanding and respecting differences in personalities and working styles.
• Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the College’s standards of ethical conduct.
• Apply effective techniques to create working relationships with others to achieve common goals; successfully communicate and collaborate with others to achieve goals.
• Demonstrate skills necessary to evaluate situations and processes critically and to make recommendations for improvement.
• Demonstrate a strong service orientation and the ability to effectively work as a member or leader of a team by cooperating with others, offering assistance when needed, and considering broader organizational goals.
• Plan, organize, and successfully multitask to meet multiple deadlines and adapt to frequently changing work tasks within required timeframes.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in response to change.
• Adhere to all workplace safety rules, safety laws, regulations, standards, and practices.
• Ability to work various hours, including early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends as required.
• Ability to travel among multiple clinical education sites, campuses, and off-campus meetings as required.

• Required:
  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  2. Associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant (PTA) or physical therapist (PT) program.
• Preferred:
  1. Master’s degree.
  2. Minimum of three (3) years of full-time (or equivalent) post-licensure clinical practice experience in physical therapy.
  3. Minimum of two (2) years of clinical practice experience as a Site Coordinator of Clinical Education (SCCE) and/or Clinical Instructor (CI) or a minimum of two (2) years of experience in teaching, curriculum development, and administration in a physical therapist assistant education program.

Compensation details: 60000-75000 Yearly Salary

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