POSITION: Program Director – Doctor of Physical Therapy within the College of Health Sciences (CHS).
Position #: 022594
POSITION SUMMARY: The University of Memphis CHS is seeking a Founding Program Director for a new Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program approved by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). The Program Director will design, develop and implement an innovative physical therapy education program following THEC and Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) guidelines. The Program Director will also recommend the faculty and staff to support the development and implementation of the physical therapy education program. The focus of this physical therapy education program is to train physical therapists who embody the pillars of service, leadership, and patient-centered care within their community and the profession of physical therapy. The Program Director is responsible for attaining and maintaining CAPTE accreditation.
The Program Director is a member of the faculty who holds an administrative appointment related to managing the day-to-day operations of the program. The Program Director will manage program and curriculum development, classroom instruction, and day-to-day operations of the DPT program. The Program Director will identify and develop a prospective student pool and oversee the management of clinical placement relationships, while also promoting the visibility and stature of the DPT program.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The chief responsibilities are to develop and oversee all aspects of a new graduate program in physical therapy that focuses on rural healthcare. To that end, the Program Director will recommend the hiring of faculty and staff, develop the program curriculum, oversee facility renovation projects, and work to obtain CAPTE accreditation. In addition to teaching no more than one academic course per semester, the Program Director will mentor faculty members and students. Providing service to the College, University, and profession is also expected.
SETTING: The CHS (www.memphis.edu/healthsciences) is home to more than 50 full-time faculty and staff members and currently serves approximately 1800 students majoring in one of five academic disciplines. The College recently received approval from THEC to begin a graduate program in physical therapy housed on the Lambuth Campus in Jackson, TN (Lambuth Campus - UofM Lambuth - The University of Memphis), which is being developed as a health-focused campus. The DPT program will be delivered in newly renovated classrooms and labs, with ample room for faculty and staff offices, as well as student study areas. The main campus in Memphis is home to the Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory - College of Health Sciences - The University of Memphis, which is well-equipped with two 3-D motion capture systems, instrumented treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer, and multiple other pieces of equipment used for data analysis, and available to DPT program faculty and students. An additional research lab will be developed on the Lambuth campus for ease of access. Off-campus opportunities for collaboration are available with investigators at the University of TN Health Science Center, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and various industry partners in the medical device and rehabilitation sector. The University of Memphis is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as one of two public research universities and the only community-engaged public university in Tennessee.
QUALIFICATIONS:
SALARY & BEGINNING DATE: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. The position is a full-time, tenure track fiscal-year (12-month) appointment, with the opportunity to increase base salary through the use of the research incentive pay program. The University offers an excellent benefits package, and the state of Tennessee currently has no state income tax. Jackson and the surrounding areas maintain a very low cost of living relative to most parts of the country. The anticipated date of employment is on or before January 1, 2022.
APPLICATION: The review of completed applications will begin immediately and may continue until the position is filled. The College welcomes a diverse set of applicants. Only applications submitted electronically at https://workforum.memphis.edu will be considered. Applicants are required to upload (1) a cover letter describing their qualifications and interest in the position, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) three professional references—names and contact information of colleagues who can address the applicant’s professional preparation for this position. Applicants should receive a confirmation number when all application materials are received. For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Doug Powell, Search Committee Chair, at douglas.powell@memphis.edu.
Position #: 022594
The Program Director is a member of the faculty who holds an administrative appointment related to managing the day-to-day operations of the program. The Program Director will manage program and curriculum development, classroom instruction, and day-to-day operations of the DPT program. The Program Director will identify and develop a prospective student pool and oversee the management of clinical placement relationships, while also promoting the visibility and stature of the DPT program.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The chief responsibilities are to develop and oversee all aspects of a new graduate program in physical therapy that focuses on rural healthcare. To that end, the Program Director will recommend the hiring of faculty and staff, develop the program curriculum, oversee facility renovation projects, and work to obtain CAPTE accreditation. In addition to teaching no more than one academic course per semester, the Program Director will mentor faculty members and students. Providing service to the College, University, and profession is also expected.
SETTING: The CHS (www.memphis.edu/healthsciences) is home to more than 50 full-time faculty and staff members and currently serves approximately 1800 students majoring in one of five academic disciplines. The College recently received approval from THEC to begin a graduate program in physical therapy housed on the Lambuth Campus in Jackson, TN (Lambuth Campus - UofM Lambuth - The University of Memphis), which is being developed as a health-focused campus. The DPT program will be delivered in newly renovated classrooms and labs, with ample room for faculty and staff offices, as well as student study areas. The main campus in Memphis is home to the Musculoskeletal Analysis Laboratory - College of Health Sciences - The University of Memphis, which is well-equipped with two 3-D motion capture systems, instrumented treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer, and multiple other pieces of equipment used for data analysis, and available to DPT program faculty and students. An additional research lab will be developed on the Lambuth campus for ease of access. Off-campus opportunities for collaboration are available with investigators at the University of TN Health Science Center, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and various industry partners in the medical device and rehabilitation sector. The University of Memphis is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as one of two public research universities and the only community-engaged public university in Tennessee.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- An earned degree in physical therapy and the potential for licensure within the state of Tennessee within 6 months of the date of hire
- An earned terminal academic doctorate degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DSc, DHS, etc.) in a supportive area such as biology, human physiology, biomechanics, exercise science, or a related specialty
- A minimum of six years of experience in full-time higher education with a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE accredited entry-level PT education program
- Administrative experience is desired
- Experience in the development of a graduate program in physical therapy is desired, while knowledge of CAPTE standards and requirements for developing programs is necessary
- Qualified applicants should have a publication record documenting national recognition in their area of research and a track record that merits appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor
- Highly effective oral and written communication skills in English are required; Candidates must meet eligibility requirements to begin and continue working in the United States at the time of appointment
SALARY & BEGINNING DATE: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. The position is a full-time, tenure track fiscal-year (12-month) appointment, with the opportunity to increase base salary through the use of the research incentive pay program. The University offers an excellent benefits package, and the state of Tennessee currently has no state income tax. Jackson and the surrounding areas maintain a very low cost of living relative to most parts of the country. The anticipated date of employment is on or before January 1, 2022.
APPLICATION: The review of completed applications will begin immediately and may continue until the position is filled. The College welcomes a diverse set of applicants. Only applications submitted electronically at https://workforum.memphis.edu will be considered. Applicants are required to upload (1) a cover letter describing their qualifications and interest in the position, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) three professional references—names and contact information of colleagues who can address the applicant’s professional preparation for this position. Applicants should receive a confirmation number when all application materials are received. For questions about this position, please contact Dr. Doug Powell, Search Committee Chair, at douglas.powell@memphis.edu.