Job Description
Pacific Northwest University Of Health Sciences
Dean, School of Physical Therapy
Yakima, WA
Description
Recruitment Period: 03/03/2025 – Until Filled
Status: Full-Time, 40 hours/week
Salary Information: Annual Minimum Salary-$165,000-Annual Maximum Salary-$225,000
Applications will be reviewed after April 15, 2025.
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005.
The University has five health profession programs, including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Arts in Medical Science, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and Doctor of Dental Medicine, with one mission: to educate and train healthcare professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest. The campus continues to expand supporting all the new programs. It is truly an excellent time to work for PNWU!
PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit .
PNWU invites applications for the position of Dean for the School of Physical Therapy (SOPT). This position serves as the lead academic, administrative, and fiscal officer of the SOPT. The Dean provides executive leadership for the school and reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
General Summary:
The Dean of the SOPT is primarily responsible for guiding the faculty to help graduate future physical therapists that will work in rural and medically underserved communities. The program received candidacy in 2021 and accepted its first cohort in 2022 with initial accreditation to be confirmed before the charter class graduates in May 2025.
PNWU has an excellent team of faculty and staff and are seeking a leader to contribute to the university, SOPT, and the profession through innovation and collaboration. Candidates should be comfortable working in a highly interactive residential teaching/learning environment.
The Deans role is primarily administrative; however teaching, scholarship and service will be required as a core faculty member but at a reduced percentage. Responsibilities include leading the administrative functions of the SOPT, program assessment and planning, teaching courses in areas of expertise, maintaining a productive research program, and demonstrating leadership in service.
Essential Job Functions:
Oversees strategic planning, program development, implementation, and assessment. Implements University and program policies and procedures. Acts as a core faculty member. Manages program accreditation and re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) and continued compliance with the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
Leads the development of the mission, vision, goals, curriculum, clinical agreements, budgets, and strategic plans for the SOPT. Promotes a community that is highly collaborative, highlights student success, faculty, and staff accomplishments, and embodies a climate that values diversity, equity, inclusivity, and belonging.
Recruits and maintains a highly qualified faculty and staff. Evaluates faculty teaching, research, service, and clinical engagement; and evaluates staff performance.
Prepares and manages budgets in collaboration with the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost and Vice President for Finance.
Builds and maintains internal and external strategic partnerships to support the community-based, integrated model of physical therapy education.
Plans and administers the academic program including the evaluation and enhancement of instruction.
Performs other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.
Requirements
Education:
Required: Earned degree in Physical Therapy as a graduate of a school accredited by CAPTE. Earned academic degree such as Ph.D. of Ed.D., Licensed physical therapist in the United States jurisdiction and eligible for licensure in the state of Washington
Experience:
Required: Minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience with a minimum of three years of full-time experience in a physical therapist education program
Holds or would be eligible for the rank of associate or full professor
Demonstrated excellence in teaching
Demonstrated effective leadership including, but not limited to, responsibility for program assessment and planning, fiscal management, and faculty evaluation
Active and ongoing research agenda
Preferred:
Experience as a Dean or Program Director of a DPT program
Experience using simulation as an education strategy
Experience with interprofessional education
Advanced clinical training in the area of expertise with demonstrated teaching and scholarship in the chosen area
Professional association engagement and commitment to professional and community service
Prior experience with accreditation
Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Skill in effective communication (both written and oral); skill in independent decision making; skill in performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature; skill in problem solving; skill in public speaking; skill in coordinating and monitoring the work of others; knowledge of administrative procedures and practices; knowledge of advising and counseling practices; knowledge of business management and fiscal practices; knowledge of computer and network operating systems; knowledge of customer service principles and practices; knowledge of human resources principles and practices; and knowledge of project management principles, processes, and techniques.
PNWU School of Physical Therapy
The SOPT is student-focused, patient-centered, collaborative, and dynamic learning environment that centers around PNWUs established culture of interprofessional collaboration, compassion, innovation, and social responsibility, resulting in a new wave of physical therapists capable of revolutionizing the health of our communities.
The curriculum is grounded in our mission and designed to produce a reflective generalist who offers evidence-informed quality care, in a compassionate and professional manner, as a competent member of the interprofessional team in rural and medically underserved communities.
The SOPT has state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. Students and faculty have access to our Haney Family Center for Applied Movement Science (CAMS) laboratory which serves as a pro-bono neuro-treatment lab for one of our integrated clinical experience courses, as well as clinical research opportunities for faculty and students. In addition, the SOPT has established a PT clinic at the and the , both federally qualified clinics that support our communities most vulnerable populations.
Among the state-of-the-art equipment in the SOPT, the CAMS lab has the following resources for teaching and research:
Bioness Vector Gait and Support System dynamic body weight support with 25-foot track
Bertec Computerized Dynamic Posturography/Immersive Virtual Reality (CDP/IVR) System for balance assessment and training
MediTouch BalanceTutorTM perturbation treadmill with medial/lateral and forward/backward perturbation capability with force plate, IMUs, and interactive balance gaming
Protokinetics ZenoTM Walkway 26-foot gait analysis system
Noraxon myoMOTIONTM Ultium 3D IMU portable motion capture system with video and EMG sync capability
Noraxon myoMUSCLETM Ultium wireless electromyography (EMG) system with internal IMUs
Bioness L300Go Plus functional electrical stimulation for foot drop and thigh weakness
Bertec Vision Advantage (BVA) vestibular ocular reflex and gaze stability testing
Bertec COBALTTM concussion screening/management and athlete balance system
MicroMedical RealEyesTM 505 Video Frenzel goggle system
Mobility Research LiteGait with Smart BiSymTM automatic body weight support adjustment, GaitKeeperTM Treadmill with GaitSensTM gait analysis system
BTE PrimusRS multiple resistance (Isotonic, Isometric, Isokinetic, CPM) rehabilitation system
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To ensure full consideration submit:
A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
Detailed curriculum vitae
Contact information for three professional references
The job announcement above is not the full job description, but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.
PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.
Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE):
Health Benefits – Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
Paid Time Off
403b with Roth Option
Paid Holidays
For information about life in Yakima visit our page.
PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.
To apply:
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