Instructor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Posted March 20, 2024

Instructor & Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

Master of Science of Occupational Therapy Program, University of Charleston

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFC) is a full-time, 12-month, core faculty position that reports directly to the Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program Director. The AFC will be given sufficient release time for primary responsibilities related to the development, organization, oversight, compliance, and effectiveness of all aspects of fieldwork programming in the Master of Science of Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. Secondary responsibilities include course preparation and instruction as assigned by the program director, student advising, student research mentorship, scholarship, curriculum development, curriculum and peer feedback, curriculum changes and implementation, and service to the program, university, community, and profession. The AFC will receive support from administrative staff and the program director as needed to ensure that the needs of the fieldwork program are being met.

Licensure & Certification Requirements:

Must have a valid license to practice as an Occupational Therapist with no history of past or current disciplinary actions from the state of West Virginia.

Out-of-state applicants must obtain a West Virginia valid license prior to the start date. They must also be certified by NBCOT as an occupational therapist.

Educational Requirements:

Must have a minimum of a master’s degree in occupational therapy awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency.

Experience Requirements:

Must have a minimum of 2 years of clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist. Clinical experience in pediatrics, neurorehabilitation, and/or hand/upper extremity rehabilitation and relevant experience in occupational therapy education (guest lectures, adjunct faculty) or administration preferred.

General Job Duties and Responsibilities:

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator must be able to perform the following general duties and job responsibilities. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of job responsibilities that may be inherent to the job.

• Develop, design, and deliver appropriate course materials including course syllabi, course schedules, assignments, and assessments.
• Participate in student advising formally each semester for semester check-ins and informally as student’s needs arise.
• Participate in student mentorship and be a positive role model for scholarship, leadership, and professional and community engagement.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback on student, clinical instructor, and peer performance.
• Be active in individual and departmental evaluation and revision of policies, procedures, and curriculum.
• Regularly evaluate learning resources (reference materials, audio/visual aids, computer assisted learning programs, and library acquisitions) for students and clinical instructors to ensure that needs are adequately being met.
• Immerse self into community to create relevant partnerships for service and meaningful student learning experiences.
• Actively participate in assigned and selected program and university committees.
• Engage in professional development and lifelong learning through continuing education and training in areas related to teaching, scholarship, and/or service.
• Align fieldwork objectives with curricular threads and sequence to maximize consistency and synergy between didactic and clinical experiences.
• Assist program director with preparation of materials for accrediting bodies as assigned.
• Recognize and respect the individual needs and potential of each student.
• Maintain adequate records for student advising, fieldwork, and research and committees chaired.
• Assist in the development and analysis of student, program, fieldwork, and graduate evaluations and make changes to processes as necessary and assigned.
• Maintain positive relationships with clinical site directors and instructors where students are clinically educated.
• Provide continuing education opportunities or in-service trainings for clinical instructors to ensure competency with supervision, relevant MSOT program policies and procedures, and fieldwork objectives.
• Act as a mediator for occupational therapy students and clinical instructors as needed during fieldwork rotations.
• Supervise student worker(s) and adjunct professor(s) as applicable
• Establish and document the criteria and process for selecting fieldwork sites including: maintaining memoranda of understanding, complying with all site requirements, maintaining site objectives and site data, and communicating this information to students prior to the start of the fieldwork experience.
• Ensure that fieldwork agreements are sufficient in scope and number to provide adequate supervision and selection of fieldwork slots for each Level I and II fieldwork course required by MSOT students.
• Assist with recruitment of qualified fieldwork supervisors who represent quality practices and diverse populations.
• Guide strategic planning related to fieldwork education.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Ability to work face-to-face and in an online environment using a variety of platforms (Zoom, Collaborate, Microsoft Teams, etc.).
• Excellent written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills
• Knowledge of computer-based academic delivery systems (Moodle, eLearn)
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills
• Self-directed

This job description reflects the general duties and responsibilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job. The description shall not be considered an exhaustive list of job responsibilities that may be inherent to the job. To perform the job acceptably, the individual must perform these duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed reflect the skill, knowledge, and/or ability required. The responsibilities listed may be subject to change at any time, and individuals may be asked to perform duties outside of their regular responsibilities to support the program or university.

Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Interested applicants should submit a current resume to:

Anita Angel, [email protected]

The University of Charleston is an equal opportunity employer.