Program Director, Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program

Rutgers University, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director, Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program. The Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program participates in all aspects of the program including planning, budgeting, evaluation, selection of faculty and staff, maintenance of accreditation and commitment to strategies for professional development. The Director is a faculty member who teaches within the OTD Program, participates in scholarship, and provides service and leadership within the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences and the School of Health Professions at Rutgers.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure continued accreditation of the OTD Program by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE).
• Deliver, evaluate, and update the OTD curriculum to prepare students for licensure and practice, ensuring congruence with the mission of the School of Health Professions and Rutgers University.
• Select, hire, collaborate with, and mentor OTD faculty as they develop course materials, teach, evaluate, and advise students.
• Create a learning environment that facilitates the development of OTD professionals who are prepared to enter the workforce providing ethical and culturally sensitive services.
• Design, use, and evaluate course materials and methodology to ensure graduates achieve program outcomes.
• Manage and update a budget to maintain the objectives of the OTD program and meet the needs of entering and matriculated and students.
• Evaluate, analyze, and report the extent to which the OTD program meets its goals and objectives on an annual basis.
• Evaluate and update the information and materials that are distributed to applicants, fieldwork sites, and other community partners through the program web site and brochures.
• Collaborate with Department chairperson to provide faculty development guidance and annual evaluation.
• Collaborate with School and University administrative offices and relevant personnel to ensure the program’s compliance with policies pertaining to admissions, enrollment, registration.
• Reporting of grades, satisfactory academic progress, and graduation.
• Teach courses in the OTD program related to areas of clinical expertise.
• Advise students and mentor faculty in their student advisement responsibilities.
• Participate in scholarship related to OTD education and or clinical areas of expertise. 
• Participate in continuing education to support ongoing development as an effective program director.
• Serve on Department and/or School committees to promote excellence in education, inter-professional collaboration, and community service.

Qualifications:

• Post Professional Doctoral degree awarded by a USDE-recognized institutional accrediting agency.
• Initially certified occupational therapist who is licensed, or eligible for licensure, in the state of New Jersey.
• Minimum of 8 years of documented experience in the field of occupational therapy. This experience must include:
  • Clinical practice experience as an occupational therapist.
  • Administrative experience including, but not limited to, program planning and implementation, personnel management, evaluation, and budgeting.
  • Scholarship (e.g., scholarship of application, scholarship of teaching and learning).
  • Understanding the role of the occupational therapy assistant.
  • Minimum of 4 years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the postbaccalaureate level.

About Rutgers University:

Rutgers University, The State University of New Jersey, stands among America’s highest-ranked, most diverse public research universities. The oldest, largest, and top-ranked public university in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, Rutgers has main locations in three New Jersey cities, and the university’s footprint can be seen around the region. Rutgers prides itself on being an academic, health, and research powerhouse and a university of opportunity.

Rutgers is the #1 public university in New Jersey according to U.S. News & World Report, and is known for its excellence in education, research, and public service. With over 69,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Rutgers offers a diverse and dynamic academic environment that prepares students for success in various fields. The university plays a critical role in advancing knowledge through groundbreaking research, securing nearly $969.5 million in research grants and sponsored programs in 2024 alone.

Committed to serving the needs of New Jersey and beyond, Rutgers fulfills its mission by providing top-tier education, conducting research that drives innovation and economic growth, and engaging in public service to support communities at all levels. The university values accessibility, inclusivity, and academic excellence, fostering a vibrant community where every member has a voice. Through these efforts, Rutgers continues to make a meaningful impact on society, shaping the future through education and discovery.

About the School of Health Professions:

The School of Health Professions (SHP) at Rutgers offers hands-on training and superior clinical experiences across a wide range of fields. From Nutrition and Dietetics, Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling, and Physician Assistant, to Health Informatics, Clinical and Medical Imaging Lab Sciences, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology, each program prepares students to deliver exceptional patient-focused care. 

Rankings: US News and World Report ranks SHP’s physician assistant program 7th in the nation, 1st in the northeast region, 1st in the Tri-State and 1^st in NJ. The physical therapy program is ranked 33rd in the nation, 3^rd in Tri-State Area and 1^st public university in the Tri-State. Rehabilitation Counseling is 36th in the nation. The Bachelor’s Health Information Management is ranked 3^rd by College Factual and 16^th by Healthcare Management Degree Guide. The MS in Health Informatics is ranked 3^rd on Learn.Org and 4^th Leverageedu.com. Research.com ranks Diagnostic Medical Sonography as #7 in the nation and College Factual ranks Cytopathology as #1 in nation.

Clinical Service: SHP’s mission includes improving people’s lives through cutting-edge clinical practice. Below are two innovative ways it is increasing access for patients, as well as providing hands-on training to its students. With plans for future expansion, the school will continue this mission.

Physician Assistant HOPE Clinic in Plainfield: Building upon more than a decade-long history of partnering with communities with substantial health disparities, Rutgers School of Health Professions Physician Assistant Program launched the Health Outreach Practice Experience (HOPE) clinic in Plainfield in July 2021. Physician Assistant students and licensed faculty provide free primary care to uninsured and underinsured adults. The clinic aligns the PA program’s mission to both educate students and engage with the local community—students are exposed to a clinical setting early in their training and have an opportunity to learn first-hand how to address socioeconomic determinants of health.

Speech-Language Pathology Clinic in Newark: SHP’s Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences opened a pro-bono Speech-Language Pathology (SPL) clinic in Newark in September 2021. Trained graduate-student clinicians provide targeted services under the supervision of Clinical Educators, who are ASHA- certified, licensed speech-language pathologists. The Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language (CAA) of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association accredited clinic is unique in its mission to provide quality care to the community while training future practitioners who can treat a diverse patient population and work with other types of professionals in the field of rehabilitation. Children and adults from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds can receive zero-cost assessments, diagnoses, and therapy.

Community Participatory Physical Therapy Clinic (CPPTC) in Newark: The CPPTC has served the community of Newark since 2011. It is supervised by NJ licensed physical therapists and student volunteers from the entry-level Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy at Rutgers SHP. The clinic’s goals and objectives are developed in conjunction with the community’s self- identified health needs and goals and within the scope of physical therapy practice.

About the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences:

The Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Sciences at Rutgers currently houses the nationally ranked, entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy program and the Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology. These programs are located on the RBHS-Newark campus and provide interprofessional education, research and clinical practice.

Faculty in these programs are national and international leaders in their field. They are committed to offering students opportunities for scholarship, research and professional leadership. Scholarly work by faculty and students is regularly accepted for dissemination at national and international conferences, and by top journals in our faculty members’ fields of expertise.

About the Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program:

The Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) program is a rigorous, 109-credit, entry-level accredited program. With a curriculum that emphasizes high-quality care, adaptability to evolving healthcare landscapes, and a commitment to underserved communities, the program equips graduates for leadership roles, clinical practice, research, and academic positions. Students gain hands-on experience in diverse settings, including hospitals, schools, community centers, and long-term care facilities, working with individuals across the lifespan. The program also emphasizes emerging and innovative practices aligned with New Jersey’s needs, Rutgers Health, and faculty expertise. Through strong partnerships with organizations supporting individuals with disabilities, veterans, and senior communities, students engage in meaningful fieldwork, research, and capstone projects. Rutgers’ OTD program ensures graduates are well-prepared to serve individuals where they live, work, and play, making a lasting impact on the field of occupational therapy.

About the Community:

Newark, New Jersey, is a vibrant and diverse city known for its rich cultural scene, strong economy, and convenient location just minutes from New York City. As New Jersey’s largest city and a major transportation hub, Newark offers a thriving business district with major industry in finance, healthcare, and technology. The city boasts world-class attractions like the Prudential Center, where you can catch concerts and sports events, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, a premier venue for music and theater. Food lovers can explore the famous Ironbound District, known for its incredible Portuguese, Brazilian, and Spanish cuisine. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Branch Brook Park, home to the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the U.S. With a growing economy, expanding housing options, and easy access to transit, Newark is an exciting place to live, work, and explore.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Program Director, Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program at Rutgers University should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

Christopher S. Healy, President

Scott Healy & Associates

chris@scotthealy.com

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
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.)

Applications received by March 31, 2025, will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Rutgers University is an equal access/equal opportunity institution. Rutgers follows a policy to provide affirmative action and equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment. Decisions as to selection and advancement, and all other terms and conditions of employment, are made without regard to: Race/Color, National Origin/Ancestry, Religion, Age, Sex/Gender, Ethnicity, Disability, Sexual orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, Genetic Information, Marital Status, and Veteran or Military Status.

As a university, Rutgers recognizes that the diversity of its workforce should reflect the diversity of the state and the students we serve. We strive to cultivate a culture of inclusion at Rutgers – one in which individuals of various backgrounds and belief systems can come together in an environment of mutual respect, learning from each other and becoming better-prepared to participate in an increasingly globalized marketplace of ideas.