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As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent's College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges-2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools-2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

The ACOTE-accredited Department of Occupational Therapy invites applications for a full-time 12-month Clinical Assistant Professor/Occupational Therapy Academic Fieldwork Coordinator faculty position to begin January 2024.

We are actively seeking a faculty colleague who is engaged in teaching and practice. We encourage the application of a diverse pool of candidates, persons who are values-driven, seeking to further a commitment to the inclusion of underrepresented groups with emphasis on occupation-based practice, occupational justice, and inclusion. Candidates will be expected to teach effectively in an inclusive learning environment that values students' diversity and life experiences.

Responsibilities will include:

Fieldwork Education

• Develop, procure, maintain, and administer contracts for Level I and II Fieldwork Education sites. Review contracts and process them through the site and University's legal office. Oversee AAFC's procurement and maintenance of level I fieldwork contracts
• Collaborate with faculty to develop clinical education component of occupational therapy curriculum that facilitates knowledge, skill, professional behavior objectives and Fieldwork education objectives, through the creation of curricular content, assignments, and assessment
• Collaborate with administrative staff on maintenance and processing of contracts, documentation and record keeping related to fieldwork and fieldwork evaluations, communication with students regarding fieldwork experiences, policies, procedures, and other administrative tasks related to fieldwork
• Actively engage fieldwork educators and facilitate their understanding of the curriculum design, pedagogy, and philosophy and obtain agreement among fieldwork educators, the student, and the program regarding fieldwork objectives and assignments
• Collaborate with fieldwork educators to assure compliance with ACOTE fieldwork standards
• Maintain regular and frequent contact with fieldwork educators and students on fieldwork to track progress, facilitate fieldwork objectives, troubleshoot challenges, and assure quality fieldwork experiences
• Collaborate with the AAFC, Student Services Coordinator, and Chair to develop and maintain Fieldwork Education component of the Program's Student Manual outlining all assignments, policies, procedures, objectives, evaluation, and relevant documents, forms, and compliance
• Provide on-site supervision as necessary or procure adjunct faculty to supervise students in emerging practice area fieldwork sites or where appropriate "on site" supervision is not available
• Supervise AAFC to assure achievement of all the above listed fieldwork task

Teaching

• Teach level II fieldwork seminars in the curriculum
• Assure compliance with University, CHP, ACOTE, NEASC, and CT OHE accreditation standards. Assist Program Director in development and preparation of all accreditation and outcomes assessment reports and documents as requested
• Assure that course content is current with best practices and that teaching utilizes evidence-based pedagogies
• Actively engage in professional development that facilitates own personal-professional goals, the program's plan of operation and strategic goals, and assures currency in all areas of teaching expertise and evidence-based pedagogies, technologies, and course delivery formats
• Collaborate with the Chair, faculty, and staff in student recruitment and admissions as well as students' progression, retention, through to graduation
• Foster interprofessional, collaborative relationships and develop and implement interprofessional educational and/clinical education activities
• Promote and embody high standards of performance and ethics in teaching, service, and scholarly activity
• Capstone group project mentoring as assigned

Advisement

• Academic advisement of an assigned panel of PY1 and PY2 students

Service

• Demonstrate leadership through work in local, state and or national professional associations, organizations, and agencies to promote the occupational therapy program's reputation for excellence. Actively engage in NEOTEC and collaborate with MOTEC when appropriate.
• Actively engage in departmental, CHP, and University-wide service
• Participate in faculty recruitment for the Program, College, or University as requested
• Collaborate and co-chair a Professional Advisory Council

Scholarship

• Engage in annual scholarly activity as appropriate to role, faculty rank, and ACOTE Standards

Other

• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Program Director and/or Dean of the College
• Timely completion of all reports and documentation necessary as requested as per University, CHP, Program, ACOTE, NEASC requirements
• Provide appropriate accommodations for students with special needs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Demonstrate positive collegial communication and relationships with faculty, staff, students, stakeholders, and consumers

Required Qualifications

• Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
• Certified by NBCOT (The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy) as an OTR (Registered Occupational Therapist) required
• At least 3 years teaching experience (either adjunct, full or part-time) in an ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education) accredited Occupational Therapy program
• At least 5 years of clinical and/or community-based OT practice experience
• Demonstrated experience of key components of AFC role including student supervision and demonstrated knowledge of content areas of teaching
• CT State OT licensure/eligibility

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• General knowledge of the theories of occupational therapy, research methodologies, official documents of AOTA, and ACOTE Standards related to fieldwork are required, in addition to in-depth knowledge and expertise in area of clinical practice and areas of teaching
• Demonstrated scholarly activity and professional service
• Demonstrated ability to supervise personnel on fieldwork related tasks
• Experience with fieldwork database management systems (e.g., Exxat, Formstack)
• Experience in interprofessional education, team-based learning, simulation education, assistive technology, telehealth, and/or supporting student capstone experiences
• Candidates who embrace a strong occupation-focused philosophy are preferred

The Occupational Therapy Department has made a commitment to creating an engaging, student-centered program, one in which we create opportunities for our students to make a difference in people's lives, where people are able to flourish, and participate in meaningful occupations across all contexts. Department faculty are deeply committed to excellence in teaching and learning, and the transformation of our students through values driven education.

Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, examples of syllabi from courses taught (if available). Three current letters of recommendation, copies of graduate transcripts, will be required if you are selected for a screening interview.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.