Occupational Therapy - Academic Fieldwork Coordinator

South University; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

FSA/HSA

Tuition Assistant Program

Long/Short Term Disability

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

401K Match

Paid Time Off

12 Paid Holidays

Domestic partner coverage

Job summary

South University seeks an Academic Fieldwork Coordinator to identify and manage clinical fieldwork sites, place OTA students (Level I and II) across the Tampa and Orlando locations, and ensure alignment with accreditation standards. The role includes advising fieldwork educators and supporting a hybrid learning environment.

You will oversee curriculum integration, develop learning outcomes, and contribute to faculty meetings while advancing professional development and student success in

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build successful relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with hybrid course instruction and delivery is preferred.
• Current knowledge in area of practice, ethical standards and standards of practice.

Responsibilities

• Identify clinical fieldwork sites and initiate affiliations; reserve fieldwork slots and maintain site records.
• Place students in Level I and II Fieldwork across Tampa and Orlando campuses; liaise between program and sites.
• Advise with fieldwork educators to bridge gaps between fieldwork, program and OTA students.
• Ensure fieldwork aligns with curriculum and accreditation standards.
• Oversee teaching and learning, including competency-based education and development of course outcomes.

Skills

Verbal & Written Communication

Stakeholder Management

Time Management

Organization

Computer Skills

Clinical Competency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Master’s or Doctoral degree in OT

Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant

Job description

South University provides a warm, supportive learning environment that will encourage you to join a community of faculty, staff and students eager to play a role in helping you achieve your professional goals, on campus and online.

The South University 125-year story—past, present, and future—is a history formed by the many individuals who have developed the education and spirit of community that have become our pledge to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of South University. Whether you have been part of the University family for many years, have recently come our way, or are thinking about joining us, you will find South University to be a place you can call home.

What's next for you is the first priority for us!

Visit www.southuniversity.edu today to learn more about what makes us stand apart as a place where you can make a difference in the lives of students eager to learn and grow.

South University, the right direction for a brighter future.

Benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• FSA/HSA
• Tuition Assistant Program
• Long/Short Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401K Match
• Paid Time Off
• 12 Paid Holidays
• includes domestic partner coverage

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator identifies clinical fieldwork sites, initiates agreements and places students on Level I and II Fieldwork placements that develop professional competencies in a safe care environment. This role is responsible for coordinating and overseeing fieldwork for all students enrolled across both the Tampa primary campus and the Orlando instructional site. As a faculty member in a hybrid curriculum, the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator facilitates meaningful learning of the course competencies in the curriculum and proactively supports all facets of the learning environment. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator provides education through learning-centered instruction that will enable graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the Occupational Therapy Assistant marketplace. The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator encourages a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect, lifelong learning, and ethics as well as personal and professional development. In recognition of obligations related to fieldwork coordination, the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator will receive a 50% reduction in classroom instruction to ensure adequate time allocation for the completion of administrative duties and other responsibilities associated with the position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Identifies clinical fieldwork sites, initiates affiliation agreements and works with relevant stakeholders at the clinical sites and within the university to execute the agreement; communicates with Fieldwork Educators in a timely way to reserve clinical fieldwork slots and maintains current records on all sites; maintains and updates all clinical fieldwork files and materials, including the Fieldwork Manual.
2. Places students in all Level I and Level II Fieldwork across both the Tampa primary campus and the Orlando instructional site. Establishes, coordinates, and places all clinical rotations of students at fieldwork sites and serves as liaison between the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program and the clinical fieldwork sites, visiting clinical sites and students, as appropriate; disseminates clinical fieldwork materials to sites and students in a timely way.
3. Assists (as appropriate) in advising/collaborating with fieldwork educators to serve as a bridge between fieldwork educators, the academic program and OTA students (e.g., review academic course syllabi, respond to questions about course content in relation to practice settings).
4. Assumes responsibility for working with clinical fieldwork sites to ensure that the fieldwork experience is integral to the design of the academic curriculum and in compliance with accreditation standards.
5. Enhances the professional development of Fieldwork Educators who supervise students during clinical fieldwork experiences.
6. Performs instructional duties as assigned and/or as outlined in the Academic Faculty Job description and in accordance with the provisions of Faculty Supplement to the South University Employee Handbook.
   1. Provides competency-based education which aligns with the South University model of curricula as well as supports the style of system delivery.
   2. Designs class instruction by developing student learning outcomes and instructional plans to meet course competencies and accreditation standards, creating activities which support learning outcomes and promote critical thinking in both on-campus and online learning environments.
   3. Delivers learning-centered instruction in a hybrid curriculum by establishing engaging learning environments across both in-person and online formats, encouraging student involvement and effectively planning and preparing for classes to promote student success.
   4. Promotes student success by showing flexibility in style as well as exhibiting a passion for teaching and facilitating student interaction while engaging students in the learning process.
   5. Evaluates the degree to which students meet performance criteria established in the course syllabi and grading rubrics.
   6. Provides advising to students in both the Pre-Professional and the Hybrid Professional Curriculum; assists, as appropriate in advising/collaborating with fieldwork educators to serve as a bridge between fieldwork educators, the academic program and OTA students (e.g., review academic course syllabi, respond to questions about course content in relation to practice settings).
   7. Manages the hybrid learning environment through keeping accurate records (posting attendance, submitting grades and other reports on time) and enforcing school/campus academic and attendance policies.
   8. Contributes to a hybrid learning culture by participating in faculty and other program meetings (e.g., admissions, progressions and appeals, curriculum), and other school/campus committees, supporting local campus events such as orientation and graduation, and participating in other school/campus activities.
7. Relates professional and life experiences to learning, including health-related trends and opportunities.
8. Oversees a teaching/lab assistant, as appropriate to hybrid course(s), at all instructional locations; orients to roles and responsibilities in the course or lab including review of syllabus, identifying materials/equipment needed in lab setups, review of safety procedures and course/lab concepts.
9. Maintains standards of the profession, including rules and regulations of licensing and certification.
10. Pursues professional development in professional practice, including the practice of education; participates in faculty development activities each year, as required.
11. Participates in educational, professional and community activities.
12. Pursues community service and scholarly activities.
13. Performs other responsibilities, as determined by the Program Director and/or the Campus Dean of Academic Affairs and Operations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• For OTRs: Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy and a Master’s degree or doctoral degree in another field awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE recognized institutional accrediting agency, required; Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy with teaching experience or a Doctoral degree in Occupational Therapy awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE recognized institutional accrediting agency, preferred.
• For COTAs: Minimum of Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant and a Bachelor’s degree in a related field awarded by an institution that is accredited by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency, required.
• Current knowledge in area of practice, ethical standards and standards of practice, required.

Experience:

• Zero to two years of experience in instruction or a formalized education process, preferably in a post-secondary or college institution. Experience with hybrid course instruction and delivery is preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy which must include: Clinical practice experience as an OT or OTA; Professional experience as a fieldwork educator or documentation of training in the roles and responsibilities of a fieldwork educator.
• Membership in a professional association, preferably linked to area of instruction, preferred.

• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to build successful relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrates outstanding conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrates effective time management and prioritization of work.
• Demonstrates excellence in organization and attention to detail.
• Demonstrates effective computer skills (e.g., software, analytical, report writing).
• Demonstrates clinical competency and compliance with professional standards of practice.

• Able to lift up to 50 pounds when performing job responsibilities.
• Able to stand for extended periods of time (e.g., one hour or more) when teaching, facilitating labs or on field trips.
• Able to travel between the Tampa primary campus and the Orlando instructional site to fulfill fieldwork coordination and instructional responsibilities.

License:

• Must be eligible for licensure, currently licensed or otherwise credentialed according to regulations in the state or jurisdiction in which the program is located.
• Eligible for a driver’s license or currently holds a valid driver’s license in the state in which the program is located, required.
• Valid state driver’s license.
• Vehicle required for travel along with valid insurance.
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check will be conducted

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student, and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures, and perspectives can thrive.