Respiratory Therapy Program Director

Carrington College; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

San Joaquin Valley College Inc. in California seeks a Program Director to oversee the respiratory care program’s integrity and operations, guiding curriculum, faculty management, student outcomes, and accreditation compliance.

This leadership role emphasizes collaboration with college governance and continuous program improvement based on assessment data. You will lead retention initiatives, coordinate externships, and ensure resources meet program needs while occasionally teaching.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required and RRT credential with current license.
• Minimum 4 years of RRT experience with at least 2 years in clinical respiratory care.
• Experience teaching in higher education or clinical instruction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee curriculum development, faculty management, and student outcomes.
• Ensure accreditation compliance and program performance.
• Lead retention strategies and coordinate externships and clinical sites.
• Teach courses as needed and supervise faculty performance.

Skills

Communication

Office Suite

Time management

Curriculum development

Faculty management

Education

Bachelor's degree

RRT credential + state license

Teaching experience in higher ed

Accredited program experience

Job description

Summary

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the academic integrity and operational success of their assigned program(s), including curriculum development, faculty management, student outcomes, accreditation compliance, and overall program performance. This position plays a key role in student retention and success, while also ensuring that educational programs meet institutional and accreditation standards. The Program Director will ensure that faculty are well-qualified and equipped to deliver quality education and may also teach courses as part of their duties. The position also involves managing resources, developing external partnerships for clinical rotations, and ensuring continuous program improvement based on assessment data from a variety of metrics.

Job Details

Description

The Program Director is responsible for overseeing the academic integrity and operational success of their assigned program(s), including curriculum development, faculty management, student outcomes, accreditation compliance, and overall program performance. This position plays a key role in student retention and success, while also ensuring that educational programs meet institutional and accreditation standards. The Program Director will ensure that faculty are well-qualified and equipped to deliver quality education and may also teach courses as part of their duties. The position also involves managing resources, developing external partnerships for clinical rotations, and ensuring continuous program improvement based on assessment data from a variety of metrics.

Compensation

The starting pay range for this position is $90,000 - $125,000 annually.

Administrative

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensures faculty qualifications, licensure, and work experience meet program standards.
• Assists in faculty recruitment, selection, onboarding, and ongoing professional development.
• Develops academic schedules, conducts faculty evaluations, and participates in classroom observations.
• Coordinates faculty activities and ensures they adhere to curriculum standards and best practices.
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates faculty, ensuring quality instructional delivery.
• Acts as a mentor for faculty, providing support and guidance to help them improve their teaching techniques.
• Ensures faculty meet ongoing professional development requirements and performance standards.
• Manages academic program compliance with college policies, accreditation standards, and industry regulations.
• Develops and implements retention strategies to enhance student success; monitors student progress including those on leave of absence and in clinicals/externships.
• Oversees externship and clinical site placements, ensuring they meet program requirements.
• Maintains and manages program-specific equipment, supplies, textbooks, and materials.
• Monitors and assesses course and program outcomes, student retention, graduation rates, licensure exam pass rates, and other performance metrics; develops and implements improvement plans as needed.
• Organizes and facilitates advisory committee meetings, faculty meetings, and curriculum review sessions.
• Prepares and submits accreditation documentation accurately and timely.
• Leads program-level training for faculty, providing support and resources to improve teaching practices.
• Participates in college governance committees, and professional development activities.

Instructional

• Participates in the student recruitment and selection process.
• Teaches assigned courses.
• Assesses student learning outcomes (SLOs) and monitors course effectiveness.
• Provides feedback to students, facilitating continuous improvement.
• Offers additional student support, including tutoring and communication regarding attendance or academic concerns.
• Ensures proper record-keeping and student evaluations as required by institutional and accreditation policies.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises faculty members (1-15).

Core Competencies

• Integrity and Ethics: Demonstrates honesty and integrity in all professional interactions.
• Professionalism: Treats others with respect and follows through on commitments.
• Adaptability: Responds effectively to changing circumstances and needs.
• Communication: Effectively conveys information, listens actively, and provides clear feedback.
• Leadership: Inspires and motivates others, provides feedback, and fosters teamwork and collaboration.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree
• Registered Respiratory Therapy (RRT) credential and current state license
• Minimum 4 years' experience as an RRT with at least 2 years in clinical respiratory care
• Minimum 2 years' experience teaching either as an appointed instructor member in a CoARC-accredited respiratory care program or as a clinical instructor/preceptor for students of such programs
• Relevant degree(s) from accredited institutions.
• Must hold all necessary certifications and licensure for the courses they oversee.
• Prior experience in higher education or academic program management preferred.

Skills

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to assess and analyze student learning outcomes and improve instructional practices.
• Experience in managing faculty and developing programs to ensure student success.

Physical Demands

• The ability to regularly stand, sit, talk, and hear.
• Ability to frequently walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Ability to occasionally climb or balance.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to handle and manipulate program equipment and materials.

Work Environment

• Moderate noise levels in the workplace.
• Occasional exposure to wet, humid, or outside weather conditions depending on the program.

Additional Requirements

• Must maintain knowledge of the latest developments in the relevant program field.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain any required certifications or licenses related to program instruction.
• Ensure compliance with all institutional, governmental, and accreditation standards.

Note

This position may require occasional classroom teaching and administrative duties, balancing both responsibilities to ensure high standards in student achievement and program administration. Other duties as assigned by the Academic Dean or Campus Director.

All qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment. To ensure the safety and integrity of our operations, it is imperative that a review of all applicants' criminal history is conducted. Failure to do so poses a significant risk to the Employer, potentially compromising both business operations and the organization's reputation.

As part of our standard hiring process, all candidates offered a position at San Joaquin Valley College Inc. will undergo a thorough background screening. This includes education verification, county and national criminal background checks, a motor vehicle report, and social security number trace/verification along with an address history search. Depending on the specific position, additional requirements may apply, such as drug testing, a Fraud and Abuse Control Information System check, and verification for access to the National Student Loan Database System.