Instructor Occupational Therapy Assistant Program

Position Summary

The Instructor will be responsible for the instruction and management of assigned classes and will maintain professionalism within their specialized field, including currency and required certifications. Other major responsibilities include participating on department and college-wide committees and assignments. This position is responsible for 15 – 25 instructional contact hours in a normal work week. The Instructor is allowed to teach two classes for overload per semester. Over two classes for overload is rare and requires approval of Dean and Provost.

Essential Job Duties

• Availability to teach seated, hybrid, or online courses, which may include daytime, evening or weekend work, if necessary to perform the duties of the job.
• Maintain currency of knowledge and skill in field of specialization and areas of instruction.
• Maintain professionalism and vocational certifications, as required by position.
• Assist in student outreach and recruitment for college, Health Sciences division and program.
• Provide quality instruction which is reflective of current discipline standards and is accurate, relevant, and engaging using college and program–approved curriculum and resources.
• Develop a course syllabus for each class taught, using the approved course abstract and syllabus template.
• Incorporate pedagogical strategies such as active learning, authentic and problem-based activities, and other successful teaching strategies into classroom instruction.
• Foster a positive classroom learning environment by presenting information in a way that is inclusive to all learners, including the assurance of section 508 accessibility.
• Present course content in an unbiased and civil manner, while demonstrating respect, helpfulness, and responsiveness toward students. This includes the provision of in-person and online advising appointments which are convenient and helpful to students in both format and modality.
• Participate in required number of hours of professional development each year to uphold licensure and certification, half of which must focus on fostering teaching improvement in areas of teaching focus.
• Demonstrate reflective practice, including assessment of student learning. This includes ongoing formative assessments, as well as official departmental assessment.
• Actively participate in department and division meetings, events, and initiatives and work effectively with a small team.
• Mentor adjunct instructors in their academic department or program area, as needed.
• Assist in textbook and course material selection.
• Participate in curriculum development and work with advisory committees, as needed.
• Provide accurate and appropriate academic advising.
• Exhibit exemplary attendance and punctuality.
• Comply with college policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including participating in commencement, College Development Days attending college functions, serving on committees and attending community events.

Non-Essential Job Duties

• Participate in professional organizations as appropriate.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Hold a minimum Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution; the degree is not limited to occupational therapy.
• Maintain a current, unrestricted Missouri state license as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) or as a registered occupational therapist (OTR) (or be eligible to obtain a license if residing out-of-state).
• Maintain current certification from the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT).
• A minimum of four years documented experience in occupational therapy clinical practice.
• Demonstrate current knowledge and applied clinical expertise sufficient to teach in OTA‑relevant content areas across the curriculum. Experience in key areas such as pediatric occupational therapy, mental health, human development, documentation and reimbursement, evidence‑based practice, and community practice will be considered.
• Show advanced understanding of OTA clinical roles and proven clinical experience in effective OTA collaboration.
• Exhibit strong oral and written communication skills.
• Use Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, PowerPoint, Excel) effectively to create curriculum, assessments, and instructional resources.

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• A minimum of five years’ experience in clinical occupational therapy practice.
• Clinical expertise in pediatric occupational therapy practice.
• Clinical expertise in mental health occupational therapy practice.
• 3+ years of experience as a faculty member with teaching responsibilities at the post-secondary level
• Demonstrate experience in development, teaching and evaluation of student learning.
• Demonstrate knowledge of online and/or hybrid content delivery methods, including the use of learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) to create and manage online classroom modules.
• Demonstrate engagement in scholarship or evidence-based reading and writing through clinical and/or academic work.
• Exhibit leadership, supervisory, or administrative experience.
• Shows participation in OT-based professional organizations.

Working at Ozarks Technical Community College Provides Great Benefits

• Medical insurance coverage for employees through the CoxHealth network at no cost to employees.
• Dental, LTD and group life insurance coverage for employees at no cost to employees.
• Access to the on-site OTC Health and Wellness Clinic at no cost for employees and their dependents.
• Use of the OTC fitness center at no cost to employees.
• Twelve (12) tuition free college credit hours per fall and/or spring semester and six (6) college credit hours per summer term for employees and/or their dependents.
• College matches the employee PSRS/PEERS retirement at 14.5% or 6.86%

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: (The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.)

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting with frequent interruptions and distractions. Requires extended periods of time viewing computer monitor or standing; may require adjustment of schedule to include some evening and/or weekends; may encounter occasional exposure to inclement weather during travel.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard.

***OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE INSTITUTION DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.