Program Director, Occupational Therapy (open rank)

UTMB Health; Galveston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance

Excellent retirement program

Incentives

Job summary

UTMB Health in Galveston, TX seeks a full-time Program Director for its residential Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. The role requires leadership, accreditation expertise, and a commitment to educating the next generation of OT practitioners.

Rank is open to Assistant, Associate, or Professor with strong teaching and administrative credentials. The incumbent will oversee daily operations, collaborate with faculty and fieldwork partners, and ensure program outcomes meet ACOTE standards.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in OT or related field and eligible for licensure in Texas.
• Experience leading an ACOTE-accredited program and familiarity with accreditation processes.
• Minimum 8 years OT practice experience with teaching responsibilities at the post-baccalaureate level.
• Demonstrated administrative and leadership ability relevant to graduate-entry OT education.
• Preference for prior Program Director experience and curriculum development expertise.
• Strong collaboration and mentoring skills across faculty and fieldwork partners.

Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operations of the occupational therapy program and ensure ACOTE compliance.
• Monitor program outcomes (NBCOT pass rates, graduation rates, retention) and advise students accordingly.
• Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty members across ranks.
• Collaborate with Fieldwork and Capstone coordinators to align clinical experiences with standards.
• Lead accreditation self-studies and CQI processes and maintain accreditation readiness.

Skills

ACOTE standards

Academic leadership

NBCOT pass rates

Faculty recruitment

Curriculum development

Clinical education

Education

OTD or PhD or DHSc

Texas OT licensure

Job description

Program Director, Occupational Therapy (open rank)

University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Health Professions - Galveston, Texas

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) - Galveston, Texas
UTMB opened in 1891 as the first academic health center in Texas. UTMB has a remarkable history of advancing health sciences education, research, and patient care. Today, UTMB Health is a $2.2 billion health science center featuring five hospitals, an extensive network of outpatient clinics, and over 10 exceptional research centers.

Lead the Future of Occupational Therapy at UTMB Health
The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health), School of Health Professions, invites applications for a full-time Program Director to lead our residential entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. We are seeking an accomplished leader-available at the Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor rank-who combines administrative excellence, accreditation expertise, and a commitment to preparing the next generation of practitioners.

The Occupational Therapy Program Director will direct day-to-day operations, foster a collaborative culture supporting teaching excellence, and serve as the primary institutional liaison to ACOTE. Core responsibilities include:

• Maintaining continuous compliance with all ACOTE standards and directing self-study reports and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes.

• Overseeing student academic progression, advising, and program outcomes including NBCOT pass rates, graduation rates, and retention.

• Recruiting, mentoring, and evaluating faculty members.

• Collaborating with the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Doctoral Capstone Coordinator to ensure clinical and capstone experiences meet educational standards.

In addition to the Program Director role, the Department of Occupational Therapy is actively recruiting Core Faculty members across all academic ranks to join our growing academic team.

To Meet Mandatory ACOTE Requirements, Program Director Candidates Must Possess:

• A doctoral degree (OTD, PhD, DHSc, DrPH, DSc, or related degree).

• Current licensure or eligibility for licensure as an OT in the state of Texas.

• A minimum of 8 years of OT experience and at least 3 years in a full-time academic appointment with teaching responsibilities at the post-baccalaureate level.

• Demonstrated administrative and leadership ability, alongside a strong knowledge of ACOTE standards and processes.

• Candidates with prior experience as a Program Director in an ACOTE-accredited program and expertise in curriculum development or scholarly activity are strongly preferred.

Income Package: A highly competitive salary is offered and is commensurate with Academic rank, experience, and qualifications. In addition, UTMB offers a superior benefits package, an excellent retirement program, a relocation allowance as well as other potential incentives.

Living in South Houston and Galveston, Texas: More information about UTMB and Galveston can be found on the UTMB Living Website: http://www.utmb.edu/utmbliving/

UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.