Regular Faculty - Occupational Therapy Department

Description :

Job Description Summary :

Samuel Merritt University is a leading institution committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement.

The mission of the Occupational Therapy Department is to provide transformational professional education that prepares students to provide holistic, client-centered, and evidence-based occupational therapy to diverse communities in a continuously evolving healthcare environment.

Samuel Merritt University's Occupational Therapy Department is seeking a qualified and experienced candidate for an assistant or associate professor faculty position, to begin Fall 2024 or Spring 2025.

This 12-month position involves teaching, research, and service responsibilities within our entry-level Masters and Doctoral Programs.

The Occupational Therapy Department frames the graduate curriculum with the Mind-Body Model to prepare students to recognize the whole person in the context of their physical, psycho-social, cultural, and spiritual health.

The MOT and OTD Programs are part of the College of Health Sciences (CoHS). This position reports directly to the Occupational Therapy Department Chair.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Essential Duties and Responsibilities :

Teaching : Develop and deliver engaging courses within the MOT and OTD programs that are consistent with best practices in teaching and the current evidence-base in occupational therapy research and practice.

Must have an ability to teach in-person and online within fall, spring, and summer semesters.

Advising and Mentoring : Provide academic and career advising to MOT and OTD student, including providing resources for student well-being.

Mentor students in capstone projects and professional development.

Curriculum Development, Program Assessment and Accreditation Reporting : Participate in the ongoing development and evaluation of the OT curriculum, ensuring alignment with best practices and accreditation standards.

Collect assessment data. Participate in development of accreditation reports.

• Research : Conduct and publish research in areas of practice expertise as well as teaching and learning. Collaborate with colleagues, supervise student research, and seek external funding when appropriate.
• Community Engagement : Engage with and help develop community partnerships that promote community collaborations and service.

Lead or participate in community-based initiatives that address health disparities, promote wellness, and enhance access to behavioral health and health services.

• Service : Serve on departmental, college, and university committees as determined by the Program Director / Department Chair.
• Maintain Licensure : Participate in professional practice, seminars, or workshops necessary to maintain up-to-date skills and licensure requirements in the occupational therapy profession.

Qualifications :

The candidate must have a doctoral degree in occupational therapy or related field from an accredited college or university and be qualified to serve at the rank of assistant r associate professor.

An entry-level OTD will be considered.

Certified by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) Licensed as an Occupational Therapist or eligible for licensure in the state of California by the start date.

Teaching responsibilities include graduate courses delivered in-person on the Oakland Campus. Preferred candidates have documentation of effectiveness in teaching (previous student / course evaluation data) as well as system of evaluation of student learning.

Preferred candidates have a holistic approach, a strong social justice orientation, and a demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion who can teach and / or have clinical expertise in the following areas :

• Adult occupational therapy (clinical experience within various settings and with a variety of clients, including but not limited to neuro, physical disabilities, chronic and acute conditions).
• Applied kinesiology and biomechanics.
• Therapeutic and Physical Modalities (including clinical and / or teaching experience with splinting and casting).
• Foundational courses in research within health sciences.
• Faculty mentor for OTD students during phases of capstone planning, experiences, and projects.

Additional Qualifications :

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, organizational and technology skills.
• Excellent interprofessional skills, including active listening, collaboration, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Knowledge of OT program development and accreditation processes.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience with clinical hand therapy.
• 2 years of teaching experience at the post-secondary education level. Adjunct or clinical teaching at the post-secondary education level, will be considered.
• Involvement in scholarly research and creative activities within the occupational therapy arena.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of best practices in teaching and learning of adult learners for both in-person and online settings.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the current ACOTE Standards (2023).
• Applicants for the rank of Associate Professor must demonstrate a record of teaching effectiveness and scholarship that is commensurate with appointment at SMU at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.

Physical Requirements :

• Considerable time is spent teaching and lecturing.
• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer.
• Use of computers and university learning management systems is needed on a regular basis.
• Regular time spent meeting with and advising students online and in-person.
• May need to pick up and move heavy items (i.e. 40 lbs).
• May need to move equipment to different buildings.
• May need to bend, reach, stretch, and walk when engaged in simulations or community participant labs.
• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within the Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

How to Apply :

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application. Please be prepared to upload :

• Cover letter outlining qualifications and teaching philosophy,
• Curriculum vitae (CV),
• Three professional references.

Benefits :

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans.
• Opportunities for research collaboration, interdisciplinary engagement, and career advancement.

Direct Inquiries Contact :

OT Department Chair Dr. Yvette Mere-Cook,

Application Deadline :

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Acceptance of applications will close when the position is filled.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

The University has an institution-wide commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to build a welcoming and supportive campus environment, and acknowledge that diversity is an educational imperative to achieve excellence.

Benefits of Working at SMU

Health, Dental, Vision Care

SMU offers a broad range of employee benefits including health, vision, and dental care; sick leave, vacation and holiday leave, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary tax-deferred annuities, educational leaves, sabbatical leaves, tuition reimbursement, tuition remission on SMU courses, disability insurance, and more.

SMU offers HMO, EPO and PPO health insurance plans, Delta Dental coverage, and VSP vision coverage.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance plan or elsewhere.

It’s a smart, simple way to save money while keeping you and your family healthy and protected.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or elder daycare.

A DCFSA is a smart, simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones so that you can continue to work.

Life Insurance

As a means of financial protection, basic life insurance is provided for employees. Insurance may be purchased to benefit-eligible employees in order to supplement additional basic life insurance coverage.

Employees that purchase supplemental life insurance may also purchase coverage for dependents.

Retirement 403(b)

A retirement plan that includes investment alternative and a matching contribution plan is available to all benefit-eligible employees.

The retirement plan rewards special contributions of the long-service employee by providing a measure of financial security during retirement.

You Are Welcome Here

SMU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process within the University or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies.

Nondiscrimination is consistent with the principles and practice of the University and is in compliance with Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of The Education Amendments of 1972, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.