Program Director - Physical Therapy Assistant

Unitek Learning; Provo (UT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision

401k with company match

Tuition assistance

Leadership development

Paid holidays

Job summary

Unitek Learning seeks a PTA-Program Director (PT or PTA) to lead the PTA Associate Degree Program. The role requires educational leadership, CAPTE compliance, and collaboration with the academic team to drive program development and outcomes.

You will oversee curriculum, faculty supervision, and student retention while ensuring accreditation readiness and timely reporting to governing bodies. This on-site leadership role emphasizes strategic planning and program oversight.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required and licensure as PT/PTA or eligibility for licensure.
• Minimum five years post-licensure experience with three years teaching/didactic work.
• Two years in administration/management and two years in educational theory/methodology.
• Nine college credits of educational foundations coursework.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; strong integrity and multitasking ability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain PTA program curriculum aligned with CAPTE standards.
• Strategize program growth to meet healthcare needs and accreditation milestones.
• Prepare and monitor the program budget and maintain safety in the classroom.
• Schedule courses, manage faculty performance, and provide academic support.
• Collaborate with Campus Director and Associate Dean of Allied Health and Technology.

Skills

Educational leadership

Curriculum development

Clinical teaching

Program administration

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree

Licensed PT/PTA or eligible

Educational foundations credits (9)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Company Description

As a leading healthcare education organization, Unitek Learning's family of schools helps thousands of students launch and accelerate their careers every year. As a rapidly growing and highly successful company, Unitek is also a great place to pursue a rewarding and challenging career. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, unlimited growth potential, and a collegiate work environment.

Company Description

As a leading healthcare education organization, Unitek Learning's family of schools helps thousands of students launch and accelerate their careers every year. As a rapidly growing and highly successful company, Unitek is also a great place to pursue a rewarding and challenging career. We offer a competitive salary, generous benefits, unlimited growth potential, and a collegiate work environment.

Job Description

The PTA-Program Director is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who demonstrates an understanding of education and contemporary clinical practice appropriate for leadership in physical therapist assistant education. The PTA Program Director is responsible for (a) adhering to the CAPTE standards on new program development, (b) developing accreditation submission materials/reports for CAPTE and other accrediting agencies, and (c) working alongside the College academic corporate team to meet critical program development milestones. The Program Director is also responsible for teaching in the PTA Associate Degree Program, and oversee program assessment, maintenance of curriculum development and updates, new program initiatives, and assist in the recruitment and retention of PTA students. The PTA PD is accountable for meeting student retention and attendance goals; directing and participating in educational planning; program organization; staffing; training and evaluating of PTA faculty; monitoring staff and student performance; motivating and advising students and staff; assisting with developing and maintaining the master schedule; and generating education department reports as needed.

• Develop and maintain PTA program curriculum that reflects the dynamic nature of the profession.
• Plan strategically for the program to respond to changes in healthcare and community needs.
• Prepare and monitor the programmatic budget.
• Ensure that the classroom environment is safe and conducive to learning.
• Maintain inventory of equipment, software, and supplies in the classroom.
• Plan for the annual safety check of laboratory equipment.
• Select, supervise, evaluate, and mentor the PTA faculty.
• Prepare the course schedules per semester and make teaching assignments based on instructor qualifications.
• Instruct up to 10 contact hours in the classroom per semester once the program gains CAPTE, BPPE, and ACCSC approval.
• Ensure compliance with all accreditation standards for the program including maintenance of accurate public information, and timely notification of substantive changes.
• Communicate with CAPTE to submit necessary reports and fees.
• Assist with textbook selections and evaluations.
• Ensures and maintains compliance with CAPTE, Institutional accreditors, DOE and Title IV approval, regulations, and policies.
• Actively promote the company mission, vision, value statements and ensure PTA program employees incorporate these beliefs and values in their daily work ethic.
• Collaborate with the Campus Director and Associate Dean of Allied Health and Technology to ensure overall communication.
• Participate in student enrollment management activities to include new student recruitment activities and functions.
• Oversee the selection of clinical sites and coordination of instruction in those facilities; ensure clinical facilities are visited according to programmatic requirements; ensure written contracts/affiliations with clinical facilities.
• Evaluate faculty and update the Associate Dean and Campus Director on 'as required' basis.
• Schedule and post office hours to provide academic support to students, tutor if necessary, and provide other assistance as needed.
• Assist with implementation and evaluation of programs and activities to ensure that the Advisory Committee functions in a manner consistent with accreditation standards.
• Ensure overall student satisfaction levels are at 85% or greater.
• Responsible for implementation of retention plan; oversee retention of students within programs, meeting retention rate in accordance with the Institution, accreditation, and College guidelines.
• Maintaining copies of minutes of all programs advisory and staff meetings for no less than five years.
• Motivating and advising students and staff as needed.
• Maintenance of student and faculty files.
• Monitor ongoing quality and performance of the program.
• Participate in faculty meetings, orientation, and graduation exercises.
• Ensure that all educational activities are conducted in a legal and ethical manner.
• Schedule and hold periodic staff meetings to coordinate the activities of full-time, part-time faculty or instructional staff.
• Regular, in-person attendance up to 5 days per week on campus/on site is an essential function of this position.
• This role requires on-site collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• The program director is a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who demonstrates an understanding of education and contemporary clinical practice appropriate for leadership in physical therapist assistant education.

Minimum qualifications include all the following:

• A minimum of a master's degree.
• Hold a current license to practice as a physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA), or eligible for licensure in the State the program resides.
• A minimum of five (5) years (or equivalent) full-time, post licensure experience with a minimum of three (3) years (or equivalent) of full-time clinical experience comprised of didactic and/or clinical teaching experience.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in administration/management.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation and outcome assessment.
• Nine (9) college credits of coursework in educational foundations (or the equivalent).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for the value of education, energy and organizational skills for multi-tasking.
• knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Possess the necessary academic credentials and work-related experience mandated by the College, State accreditation agencies and any other regulatory agency that monitors compliance.
• Must be able to develop and maintain excellent relationships with a diverse staff and student population.
• Consistently demonstrate the highest levels of integrity.

Preferred Qualifications (All items shown above, plus):

• A doctoral degree as a physical therapist (DPT).
• Member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) with documented professional activity.
• Demonstrable leadership skills inclusive of setting expectations and managing for performance.

We Offer:

• Medical, Dental and Vision starting the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment
• 2 Weeks' starting Vacation per year. Increasing based on years of service with company
• 12 paid Holidays and 2 Floating Holiday
• 401k with company match
• Company Paid Life Insurance at 1x's your annual salary
• Leadership development and training for career advancement
• Tuition assistance and Forgiveness for you and your family up to 100% depending on the program