Occupational Therapy Program Director and Department Chair

Description

Mary Baldwin College of Health Sciences at Mary Baldwin University invites applications for  the Occupational Therapy Program Director and Department Chair beginning summer semester 2026. 

The Occupational Therapy Program Director and Department Chair is an open-rank, full time, renewable, 12-month scholarly pathway faculty position (Administrative Tier 3). This position provides academic and administrative leadership to ensure the Occupational  Therapy Program fulfills its mission and maintains compliance with the standards and  requirements of the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®). The Department Chair and Program Director holds primary responsibility for the planning,  implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all academic and clinical  components of the Occupational Therapy Program.

The Director provides leadership for  curriculum design and delivery, assessment of student learning outcomes, faculty and staff  development, clinical education, and accreditation-related activities. The Director serves as  the primary point of accountability for ACOTE accreditation and ensures the program  remains in substantial compliance with all applicable standards, policies, and procedures. The Chair and Program Director oversees and collaborates with program faculty, clinical  education personnel, staff, students, and the program’s medical director, and represents the  program within the College of Health Sciences, the School of Health Professions, the  University, and the broader community. The Director works collaboratively with other health  professional programs to advance interprofessional education, shared institutional initiatives,  and a learning environment aligned with the mission, vision, and values of the College and  University. 

The Director holds an academic faculty appointment and fulfills responsibilities in  administration, teaching, scholarship, and service consistent with institutional expectations  and ACOTE standards. Additional responsibilities include leadership in interprofessional and  collaborative teaching initiatives and support of programmatic operations in accordance  with institutional policies, program goals, and ACOTE expectations.

Required Qualifications

• Licensed occupational therapist (or eligible for licensure) in the Commonwealth of  Virginia. License must be obtained within six (6) months of employment. • Earned doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, OTD, or equivalent) from a USDE approved accredited institution 
• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience as a licensed occupational therapist. • Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a faculty member in an accredited  occupational therapy program 
• Demonstrated experience in occupational therapy education, including curriculum  design, delivery, and assessment 
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with Accreditation Council for  Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE®) Standards and the accreditation process • Record of scholarship, professional service, and leadership consistent with  appointment at the open rank faculty level 
• Demonstrated commitment to student-centered education, evidence-based practice,  and professional ethics 
• Ability to provide effective supervision, mentoring, and evaluation of faculty and staff • Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with interprofessional teams,  institutional leadership, and community partners 
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills • Ability to fulfill responsibilities in administration, teaching, scholarship, and service in a  12-month appointment

Preferred Qualifications

• Evidence of leadership experience in academic administration or other leadership  role. 

About Mary Baldwin University

Founded in 1842, Mary Baldwin University has a proud legacy of innovating to best serve our students as the world changes.

MBU is a small, coeducational university offering a range of degrees from bachelor to doctoral. We serve a diverse student population on our historic Staunton campus in the heart of downtown Staunton, Virginia, Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in nearby Fishersville, and online.

MBU offers unique opportunities for our students to become leaders in the classroom,
community, workplace, and in their own lives.

About Murphy Deming College of Health Science

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences (MDCHS) was opened in 2014, with the intention of addressing health care workforce needs and the complex health issues of the region. The college accomplishes this through clinically focused professional programs in Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician Assistants programs that concentrate on addressing regional health care needs. We believe that community health issues are best solved by professionals who value interprofessional collaboration and thrive in a culture that embraces inclusivity and equitable access to health care. Our vision is to be recognized as the primary regional partner to develop community-oriented interventions for the education of and provision of services to the public, thereby improving health and life outcomes.

Application Process

Mary Baldwin University is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff, and faculty. The university does not discriminate on the basis sex, gender, nor does the university discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, color, age, disability, religion, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

All correspondence relating to the position of Occupational Therapy Program Director and  Department Chair should be directed, in confidence, to: 

Tara Miller, Director of Operations for Murphy Deming 

twmiller@marybaldwin.edu 

Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences 

100 Baldwin Blvd., Fishersville VA 22939 

A completed application should include the following: 

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position including a  statement that reflects your commitment towards supporting a culture of Equity and  Inclusion Excellence. 

2. Updated CV; 

3. Three (3) professional references with contact information, title, institutional affiliation,  email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without  written permission from the candidate.) 

The search will remain open until the position is filled.