GENERAL SUMMARY: Central Methodist University Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Program is seeking a motivated and collaborative Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) – Generalist to support student learning and program initiatives. The COTA will contribute to in-person instruction, student mentoring, skills laboratory facilitation, and program development while promoting evidence-based occupational therapy practice across the lifespan and in diverse service delivery settings.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate broad clinical experience, strong communication skills, and a commitment to student-centered education. This position requires the ability to integrate current practice standards, ethical guidelines.

 PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The instructor is responsible for in-person teaching assigned courses (lecture, laboratory, didactic and distance) in his/her areas of expertise. This faculty member will contribute to the functioning of the OTA program through a variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, teaching and course assessment.  

1. Teach OT Foundations courses within his/her area of expertise
2. Prepare for and teach all scheduled classes
   1. Candidate must be comfortable with online teaching delivery methods, although this position is mainly full-time, in-person.
3. Grade work and provide feedback to students in a timely manner. 
4. Provide office hours/time when available to give extra help/answer questions.
5. Report and respond to CMU staff as requested. 
6. Participate in professional development and remain current in discipline or area of expertise. 
7. Collect and maintain data necessary to evaluate assigned course.
   1. All faculty who teach an OTA course must submit a completed Course Objective Achievement Report for each class taught,
8. Knowledge of OT philosophy and scope of practice, familiar with OT in the rehab setting.
9. Demonstrated commitment to professional development and student success.
10. Other duties as assigned.

 EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS:             

1. Initially certified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant preferred.
   1. Licensed in the state of Missouri.
   2. Other candidates, experience with OT philosophy and OT in the rehab setting,
2. A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy, Education, Healthcare or a related field is required. 
3. A Master’s degree in a related field is 
4. OT/OTA Candidates:
   1. Must be currently licensed or able to obtain licensure in Missouri as an Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant (preferred). 
   2. Must have a minimum of one-year full-time, post-licensure clinical work experience in Occupational Therapy. 
   3. Candidate must have experience with the OT/OTA relationship and experience supervising students in the OT clinical education environment.
5. Other Candidates
   1. Candidates with a degree in education or health sciences related field is preferred.
   2. If licensed and credentialed, candidate must be in good standing.
   3. Health care experience preferred.
   4. Experience in higher education preferred.
   5. Prior teaching preferred.
   6. Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) preferred.
6. All Candidates
   1. Documented expertise with computer technology and electronic teaching/learning and communication activities, knowledge of distance education methods
   2. Documented content expertise in area(s) of teaching.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to sit/stand for the duration of the class meetings. 

Physically able to complete Occupational Therapy professional workload.

Operate classroom and meeting audio-visual equipment. 

Speak loudly and clearly enough to be understood by students. 

Ability to visit campus for on-site sessions as scheduled.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Computer: Keyboarding skills, familiar with relevant software, ability to navigate the internet and online interface. Reliable hardware and software to facilitate remote teaching.

Communication: OTA Adjunct Faculty must be able to utilize effective communication with peers, subordinates, students and their families, and other educational providers. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Ability to effectively interpret and process written and verbal information. 

• • Ability to effectively communicate (verbally and in writing) with students, peers, clients/families, healthcare professionals, and others within the community. 
  • Ability to access information and to communicate and document effectively via computer. 

• Ability to recognize, interpret, and respond to nonverbal behavior of self and others. 

• • Consistently demonstrate a professional presentation that upholds the Central Methodist University mission statements and philosophy. 

Behavior: OTA Adjunct Faculty must be capable of exercising good judgment, developing empathetic and therapeutic relationships with students, clients and others. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Ability to work with multiple students/families and colleagues at the same time. 

• • Ability to foster and maintain cooperative and collegial relationships with students and peers. 

• Ability to provide faculty leadership and support faculty development. 

Critical Thinking: OTA Adjunct Faculty must possess sufficient abilities in the areas of calculation, critical problem solving, reasoning, and judgment to be able to comprehend and process information within a reasonable time frame as determined by the profession. The faculty member must be able to prioritize, organize, and attend to responsibilities efficiently. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Ability to collect, interpret and analyze written, verbal and observed data. 
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, integrate information and make decisions. 
  • Ability to apply knowledge of the principles, indications, and contraindications for nursing educational processes. 
• Ability to act safely and ethically in the classroom and in the community.

 OTHER INFORMATION AND ATTRIBUTES:

This is a full time OTA faculty position with in-person teaching required.  

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Click below to apply and contact our Human Resource's department if you have further questions or concerns HR@centralmethodist.edu or 660-248-6899.

Apply Today

CMU Employees provide collegial, collaborative contributions to their areas and the University as a whole.  They should stimulate a harmonious, productive and inviting work environment that is customer service oriented.  Each must maintain a commitment to the mission and purposes of CMU.   Central Methodist University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by people assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities associated with it.  CMU management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.