A Health Sciences Professor teaches foundational health science ideas, truths, and methods to students through a combination of classroom instruction, lab experience, field experience, and assignments at colleges, trade schools or other institutes. May assist or lead in the creation of the health science curriculum to be taught. In addition to instruction, they may assist or lead in research initiatives relating to their field.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a Carnegie R1, opportunity, and community engaged university at the heart of the U.S.-Mexico border region that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education and economy of the community we serve. UTEP enrolls more than 25,000 students, 85% of whom are Hispanic and half of whom are the ?rst in their families to attend college. UTEP offers 171 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, El Paso is set against the backdrop of the Franklin Mountains and the Chihuahuan Desert in one of the largest binational communities in the world. A family-oriented community that is one of the safest large cities in the U.S., the cost of living in El Paso is very reasonable with an average home value of $224,000 in 2025, and Texas has no income tax. The region's rich culture includes a vibrant street art and mural scene, art galleries, a new children's museum and science center, the state's longest-running symphony orchestra and a full schedule of seasonal events and festivals. Sports fans will enjoy Division I college athletics, Triple-A baseball affiliate the El Paso Chihuahuas and professional soccer team El Paso Locomotive FC, and outdoor enthusiasts will be drawn to year-round hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing in nearby state and national parks.
THE COLLEGE
: The College of Health Sciences prepares the next generation of health and human service professionals to improve quality of life and address health disparities in their communities. The College offers five undergraduate degrees in Clinical Lab Science, Health Promotion, Rehabilitation Sciences, Social Work and Kinesiology. There are four master's degrees in the college: Speech-Language Pathology, Public Health, Social Work, and Kinesiology. There are currently three doctoral programs in
CHS:
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Doctorate, and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. High impact educational experiences enable students to develop leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, as well as a strong sense of social responsibility through community and global engagement opportunities. Faculty and students engage in teaching, research, and service incorporating Boyer's Model of the scholarship of discovery, integration, application/engagement, and teaching and learning, all related to the applied health sciences ( https://www.utep.edu/chs/ ). The College's facilities and programs are designed to promote interprofessional teaching, learning, research and community & global engagement initiatives. The College of Health Sciences enjoys a strong and collaborative relationship with a range of local, national and global community partners. Graduate and undergraduate students participate actively with faculty clinical and research mentors in conducting a variety of projects relevant to addressing health inequities and improving quality of life in the Paso del Norte region and beyond.
THE DEPARTMENT
: Founded originally as the UTEP Occupational Therapy Program in 1998, the UTEP Department of Occupational Therapy (https://www.utep.edu/chs/ot/) received final THECB approval for the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) degree and admitted the first cohort in fall 2022. The Department of OT's mission is to educate future professionals to become occupation-centered, evidence-based practitioners that are culturally and contextually responsive. The Department currently admits approximately 27 students per year. Each cohort attends classes and clinical rotations for 9 consecutive semesters, graduating 36 months after entering the program. The current full-time and adjunct faculty have expertise in general medical, pediatrics, geriatrics, and mental health. Occupational Therapy faculty members hold a primary appointment in the Department of Occupational Therapy and have the opportunity to participate in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences PhD Program. Faculty members are also encouraged to collaborate in teaching and research with other programs across the University as well as with clinical partners and other universities regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Job Description:
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) College of Health Sciences invites applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Clinical Assistant, Clinical Associate, or Clinical Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. The UTEP Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) curriculum has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). This is a 12-month appointment. The successful applicant will be a licensed occupational therapist with a doctoral degree in occupational therapy or a related field. Job responsibilities include teaching, participation in scholarly activity (e.g., collaborative research in areas of practice interest and conference presentations), and service to the program, college, university, community, and profession. The ideal candidate will excel at incorporating active-learning strategies in teaching, mentoring and advising students, and collaborating with others in service and scholarly activities. The candidate will also thrive in a bi-national setting, embrace the opportunities to work with underserved groups and collaborate in opportunities regarding border health and health disparities, have an interest in the cultural aspects of the border, and have a desire to flourish in an independent work environment.
Requirements:
Candidates are required to have: (1) an entry-level degree in occupational therapy; (2) an earned doctorate in occupational therapy (research or clinical) or a related field (ABD will be considered if graduation is anticipated before the start date); (3) a demonstrated record of or potential to develop scholarly productivity, educational leadership, and/or administration; (4) demonstrated experience with or potential for graduate teaching excellence; (5) a minimum of three years of experience as an occupational therapist; (6) demonstrated skills or potential to develop proficiency in instructional technology; (7) eligibility for occupational therapist licensure in Texas; (8) experience in or potential for service to the program, college, university, community, and profession; and (9) ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
include: (1) graduate teaching experience; (2) minimum of five years of experience as an occupational therapist; (3) evidence of interprofessional collaboration in clinical research or practice; (4) experience in areas aligned with departmental needs, including but not limited to assistive technology, mental and behavioral health, adult populations, community-based practice, underserved communities, and/or emerging areas of practice; (5) a record of promoting access to excellent education for all students; (6) experience in addressing social accountability, global health, and health disparity; (7) current membership in the American Occupational Therapy Association; and/or (8) a record of leadership roles in occupational therapy.
Additional Information:
SALARY/BENEFITS
The initial salary is negotiable and based on qualifications and experience. The position comes with research start-up package and excellent fringe benefits. In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment. The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu , or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312. For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu . To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
Application Instructions:
Review of applications will begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidates must submit the following (1) letter of interest addressing how candidate meets each required qualification, and any applicable preferred qualifications; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) brief teaching philosophy (2 pages or less); (4) complete contact information for at least three references. Applicants will be notified before references are contacted. For more information about the position, contact: Dr. Bill Roberts, Search Committee Co-Chair Department of Occupational Therapy College of Health Sciences wroberts2@utep.edu Dr. Claudia Yagel, Search Committee Co-Chair Department of Occupational Therapy College of Health Sciences cmyagel@utep.edu Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Powered by
