Program Director - Physical Therapy Assistant

At Amarillo College, our mission is: Transforming our community and economy through learning, innovation, and achievement. Every team member, regardless of job title or duties, is responsible first and foremost, for assisting students in every way. This is an exciting time to work for Amarillo College! We are seeking our next Program Director - Physical Therapy Assistant who will be all-in on our mission and who holds a full-time faculty appointment with primary responsibility for the leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Amarillo College. The Program Director oversees the operation, supervision, evaluation, and revision of the program to ensure alignment with institutional goals and accreditation standards. This position ensures compliance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards and supports program planning, curriculum development, faculty supervision, and student success initiatives. The Program Director provides leadership in maintaining program quality, coordinating clinical and academic learning experiences, and supporting student progression through the program.

EDUCATION

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Required:

Master's Degree in Physical Therapy or a closely related field.

Preferred:

Doctoral Degree in Physical Therapy or a closely related field.

EXPERIENCE

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Required:

Five (5) years of full-time post-licensure professional experience in physical therapy or physical therapist assistant practice. Three (3) years of full-time clinical experience and classroom or laboratory teaching experience. One (1) year of leadership or management experience. One (1) year of experience in program administration including curriculum development, faculty supervision, and accreditation processes.

Preferred:

Experience preparing CAPTE self-studies and participating in accreditation site visits. Previous experience directing or coordinating a physical therapist assistant educational program.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

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Required:

Current, active, and unencumbered license as a Physical Therapist (PT) or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). Provide leadership and administrative oversight for the Physical Therapist Assistant Program in accordance with institutional policies and CAPTE accreditation standards. Recruit, assign, supervise, and support Physical Therapist Assistant faculty and instructional staff. Oversee faculty schedules, workload distribution, and instructional responsibilities to ensure program effectiveness and compliance with accreditation standards. Participate in faculty evaluation processes, contributing to performance reviews, improvement planning, and professional development. Coordinate faculty development initiatives and in-service training to promote instructional quality and accreditation readiness. Assess, plan, and oversee the operation of clinical laboratories, classrooms, and instructional facilities used within the PTA program. Ensure all program facilities, equipment, and instructional technologies support safe and effective learning environments. Collaborate with institutional departments to address facility maintenance, upgrades, and space utilization aligned with program needs. Participate in annual budget planning and assist with fiscal oversight of program expenditures. Work with the Dean and Business Office to manage program resources responsibly and advocate for program needs. Coordinate and evaluate the program's admissions criteria and student selection processes to ensure fairness, transparency, and alignment with program goals. Participate in decisions regarding student progression, remediation, and retention based on academic and clinical performance. Collaborate with advising, faculty, and student services to support student progression from admission through graduation. Teach didactic and/or clinical courses as assigned while maintaining alignment with program learning outcomes and accreditation standards. Serve as a student mentor and academic advisor while promoting professional development and ethical clinical practice. Maintain a limited teaching load to ensure appropriate attention to administrative and leadership responsibilities. Participate in program assessment, accreditation reporting, and continuous improvement processes. Represent the PTA program within the college, healthcare community, and professional organizations when appropriate. Perform other work-related duties as required. As an Amarillo College employee, seek knowledge of and pledge to actively engage in a culture of caring, striving to serve students, peers, and the community by embracing the

AC Core Values:

Wow, Family, Fun, Innovation, and Yes! Knowledge of CAPTE accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and compliance processes for physical therapist assistant programs. Strong leadership and organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage program operations and faculty responsibilities. Ability to supervise, mentor, and evaluate faculty and staff while promoting professional growth and collaboration. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and clinical partners. Knowledge of physical therapist assistant clinical practice, curriculum development, and competency-based instruction. Ability to coordinate clinical education partnerships and support student clinical placements. Ability to analyze program data, evaluate outcomes, and implement program improvements. Competence in managing academic budgets, program resources, and operational planning. Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills. Commitment to student success, instructional excellence, and professional standards in healthcare education.

Salary:

Faculty Pay Information , please review the AC AY24 Faculty Salary Placement. (Salary is determined by Human Resources based on education, work experience and internal comparisons).

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be required to move between offices, classrooms, laboratories, and clinical environments. The employee must have the ability to lift, carry, push, or maneuver instructional materials or equipment up to twenty-five (25) pounds as needed.

Working Conditions:

Must be willing to work a flexible schedule (days, nights, weekends, holidays, and varying events if necessary).

Work Environment:

This position operates in classroom, laboratory, clinical education, and office environments. The employee routinely uses standard office equipment including computers, phones, and instructional technologies. Work may involve collaboration with clinical partners and off-campus healthcare facilities. Software commonly used includes Microsoft Office, Colleague, and other educational or clinical management applications.