Clinical Senior Instructor - Physical Therapy

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs will not sponsor work visas or permanent resident applications for this position

Envision yourself in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that has a deep commitment to position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives. Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer some of the best benefits of the industry while encouraging every team member to grow, collaborate, and provide input on how to consistently make the workplace a place people love to work. Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. If what was just described is what you look for in a workplace, welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) !

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus CU-PT program (CU-PT) is an innovative program involving the University of Colorado Spring (UCCS). The hybrid program which is expected to welcome the program’s first students in Summer 2024, incorporates the best practices in distance education with clinical education experiences and periodic immersion instruction on the UCCS campus. The UCCS Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Bethe-El College of Nursing and Health Science (JBE) will house the hybrid DPT program in the Health Science Department. The JBE College has expertise in human anatomy, physiology, nutrition, exercise science and health and wellness.

The integrated expertise of JBE and CU-PT forms a dynamic partnership that will help to shape physical therapy graduates who are reflective practitioners and leaders within the field.

The University of Colorado Residential PT Program (CU-PT) Senior Instructor for the Hybrid PT Pathway is a full-time remote or onsite 12-month faculty appointment with teaching, scholarship, clinical and service responsibilities consistent with the mission and philosophy of the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program in the School of Medicine at the University of Colorado, as well as accreditation standards as set forth by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). The qualified individual will have appropriate clinical and/or teaching experience to instruct students in health care delivery, interprofessional practice, and professional development. Additional expectations include expertise in orthopedic physical therapy, including both clinical and teaching experience targeted at this patient population. The qualified individual will also demonstrate academic preparation and/or experience in teaching, curriculum development, course coordination, student advising, teamwork, and scholarship.

The primary academic appointment will be at UCCS with a joint appointment with the University of Colorado School of Medicine. This position reports to the Chair of the UCCS Department of Health Sciences with additional oversight by the Associate Dean of Physical Therapy Education and the Senior Associate Dean of Education, School of Medicine. The appointment will be at the academic rank of Senior Instructor, salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Who We Are: 

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system  and is home to over 9,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students. We have a strong focus in fueling student success by creating, using, and maintaining a multitude of different offices and programs. Overall, UCCS is constantly focused of preparing our students to have success in the future, and we understand that every single employee on our campus has a significant effect on that focus. Find more information about working at UCCS here: https://hr.uccs.edu/work-at-uccs .

The city, which was recently ranked as the number nine Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2023, known as Olympic City USA, rests at the base of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” and a must-see for residents and visitors alike. With a mild climate and 247 days of sunshine each year, the Springs boasts some of the state’s best recreation opportunities. Find out more about living in Colorado Springs through the Visit Colorado Springs page: https://www.visitcos.com/ .

Job Duties:

The duties in this faculty position will include teaching, research and service responsibilities. The overall determination of research and clinical activities and allocation of time and effort will be subject to the determination of the Program Director.

Teaching activities include:

• Developing curricula and delivering course material.
  
  • Professional Development
  • Health Care Delivery
  • Foundational and Musculoskeletal Skills Instruction
• Ensuring the assessment of student learning outcomes in classroom and/or clinical laboratory settings.
• Ensures the scope, depth, and breadth of course content, and maintenance of current records of student participation and grades comply with program and CAPTE standards.
• Providing student advisement.
• Providing training and mentoring to teaching assistants.
• Reviewing methods and teaching materials and making recommendations for improvement.
• Providing education at professional conferences, facilitating training for clinical partners and affiliates, and networking with others in the field.
• Traveling to other universities or academic settings to participate in learning opportunities and gain experience.
• Contributing to the creation of an environment that promotes growth, equality, and freedom of speech.

Non-teaching time will be dedicated to scholarly activities and dissemination as well as program and department service. Administrative responsibilities include contributing to the Hybrid Pathway Implementation Team and other initiatives aimed at improving the program. Service duties will be assigned at the time of hire but may include the Recruitment and Admissions Committee, Student Promotions Committee, and other areas as assigned. Participation in clinical service is possible with program approval and CU Medicine credentialing.

Attendance at meetings and educational events of the department and program is expected. All faculty provide support for CAPTE self-study and annual accreditation activities, student ceremonies, and faculty search committees. Faculty may assist with student recruitment, interviews, and academic counseling sessions.

Faculty may assist with student recruitment, interviews, and academic counseling sessions. This position requires flexibility for days of the week and times of day due to involvement in multiple courses and PT Program needs.

Job Competencies:

• Strategic thinker regarding hybrid instructional delivery and physical therapy education.
  
• A strong commitment to student-centered instruction and advising.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• The ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to effectively participate in shared decision making and execution skills associated with a state system campus and inter-campus academic partnership.
• Effective and consistent written and verbal communicator.
• Develops education and research relationships within and between campuses.
• Self-awareness; works towards personal and professional growth; values diversity.
• Leadership courage, composure under stress, humility, self control.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people at all levels throughout the institution and clinical sites.
• Leadership ability and commitment to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and community engagement.
• Ability to establish and implement a scholarship/research plan per accreditation requirements and in accordance with university standards.

Work Location: Hybrid (80% remote, 20% on-site)

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What We Offer:

Salary Range: Generally starting at $89,000 - $93,000 per calendar year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits , some of which include:

• Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to the employee
• Dental, Vision, Life and Disability insurance
• Generous paid vacation and sick time accruals (14.67 hours of vacation and 10 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)
• Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%
• Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependent
• Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of employment
• Faculty Housing Assistance Program

Tentative Search Timeline:

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by 11:59 PM Mountain Standard Time, December 19, 2023. However, this posting will remain open until filled.
• The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of January 1, 2024.
• The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of January 15, 2024.
• The potential employee start date is February 2024.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Please note that while the position details both required qualifications as well as preferred qualifications below, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the desired skills and experience to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications, have passion for the work, along with experience in a related field, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on-the-job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Eligibility for physical therapy licensure in the state of Colorado.
  
• A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree or a lower-level physical therapy degree with a terminal degree (such as PhD, DSc, DHS, EdD, or equivalent).
• Evidence of teaching foundational examination & intervention clinical skills as well as management of musculoskeletal conditions.
• Experience assessing student performance associated with traditional clinical laboratory activities and simulation learning experiences.
• Experience participating in curriculum planning, and support of efficient and consistent academic practices.
• Experience with healthcare and payment systems.
• Experience with development of leadership and professional skills in students and new professionals.

Preferred Qualifications:

• An academic terminal degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DSc, or equivalent).
  
• American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Certification.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
• Experience with virtual and residential instruction and use of the Canvas LMS.
• Experience with Interprofessional Education for entry-level Doctor of Physical Therapy students.
• Experience mentoring colleagues in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Knowledge of applicable pedagogy associated with the acquisition and development of clinical skills.
• Experience with formal program evaluation practices.
• Knowledge of CAPTE requirements.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move.
  
• The employee is occasionally required to stand for long periods, moderate bending and fine motor skills.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.