Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program Faculty/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Title: Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program Faculty/Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Agency: Virginia Western Community College

Location: Roanoke (City) - 770

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $70,541 - $122,936

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Virginia Western Community College is a two-year public institution of higher education operating under the Virginia Community College System, a statewide system of community colleges. The College operates under the policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Virginia Western Community College Local Advisory Board.

Virginia Western is located on a 70-acre campus in southwest Roanoke, VA. The service region of the College includes Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County, Craig County, Franklin County, and southern Botetourt County. The College was established in 1966 and has grown from an initial enrollment of 1,352 to its current annual enrollment of over 9,000 students in credit courses and more than 1,400 enrollments in fast-track workforce and continuing education courses.

Virginia Western Community College is accepting applications for a full-time Occupational Therapy Assistant Program Faculty to serve as the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator/Core Faculty member for the developing Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. The OTA Program is entering the final stages of development as it prepares for initial accreditation. Responsibilities during this phase will include finalizing curriculum and course development, expanding and securing fieldwork partnerships, supporting accreditation documentation and compliance activities, and collaborating closely with the program director throughout the candidacy and accreditation process, including preparation for accreditation review and site visit. Upon program implementation and receipt of the necessary approvals, the duties of this position will be two-fold, coordinating the clinical/academic fieldwork portion of the program didactic instruction for OTA courses.

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator is responsible for coordinating academic fieldwork. Responsibilities will include planning, coordinating, facilitating, administering, and monitoring the fieldwork components of the academic program. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator will serve as a liaison between the occupational therapy assistant program and the fieldwork education site as part of his/her responsibilities. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator, in cooperation with other academic faculty, establishes fieldwork education site and facility standards, selects and evaluates fieldwork education sites, maintains fieldwork accreditation standards, and facilitates ongoing development of and communication with fieldwork education sites and fieldwork faculty. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator is responsible for developing fieldwork course objectives, course materials, and educational experiences that facilitate optimal learning for students. They must maintain accurate documentation of student performance, collaboration with fieldwork settings and supervisors, and/or other information required for fieldwork experiences. Course coordinator, teaching, and academic advising responsibilities as required. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator will also mentor and advise students during their fieldwork experience.

This position also requires regular didactic responsibilities within the program instructing in both a lecture and laboratory format. Responsibilities in this role include but not limited to: facilitating student learning, student advising, service to Virginia Western Community College, professional development, adherence to accreditation expectations and standards, and display of exceptional interpersonal skills and professional behavior.

This is a 9-month teaching faculty position with pay and benefits spread across 12 months with an expectation to start in Fall 2026 (August). This position will have expected summer teaching and clinical coordination duties. It is anticipated that summer hours will be part-time and will vary each year.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited occupational therapy assistant or deemed equivalent program.
• Earned a minimum of a baccalaureate degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency or its equivalent.
• Nationally certified and licensed OT or OTA or eligible for licensure in the state of Virginia.
• Minimum of 2 years documented experience in the field of occupational therapy which must include clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist or as an occupational therapy assistant, professional experience as a fieldwork educator or documented training in the roles and responsibilities of a fieldwork educator
• Strong communication, organization, interpersonal, problem-solving, and counseling skills.
• Current knowledge and skill in the use of information and computer technology (e.g., word processing, e-mail, database) or proven ability to learn these skills.
• Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to establish, maintain, and foster effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Able to work with students with special needs based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, legal and practice issues affecting clinical education, students, and the profession of occupational therapy assistants.
• Able to meet the faculty requirements as stated in the Accreditation Standards for an Associate-Degree-Level Educational Program for the Occupational Therapy Assistant.
• Able to initiate, administer, assess, and document fieldwork education programs.
• Able to work independently and coordinate work with colleagues and peers.
• Able to travel, as needed.
• Able to maintain presence on campus as needed

Additional Considerations:

• Prior teaching experience in an occupational therapy assistant/occupational therapy academic program or equivalent coursework.
• Earned master"s degree or enrolled in or desire to pursue graduate studies.
• Member of the American Occupational Therapy Association.
• Knowledge of education, management, and adult learning theories and principles.
• Active in fieldwork practice, especially as applicable to fieldwork education.
• Active in professional activities at local, state, and/or national levels.
• Documented expertise in area(s) of teaching responsibility and knowledge of the content delivery methods including web-supported classes