"Adjunct Instructor - Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Courses"

Campus Title:

Adjunct Instructor - Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Courses

Department:

Health Sciences

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Bargaining Unit:

MSCA

Funding:

Contracted

Job Type:

Part-time, Temporary

Timeframe:

Spring 2026 Semester

Shift:

TBD

Regular Days Off:

Saturday and Sunday

Supervision Received:

Reports to the chair of the Health Sciences Department

Salary:

According to MSCA contract guidelines:
Unit Member: $2,253.60 per credit
Non-Unit Member: $1,496.73 per credit

Position Overview:

The Department of Health Sciences is seeking qualified part-time Adjunct Instructors to teach foundational coursework within the Occupational Therapy Assistant Baccalaureate (OTA-B) Program. Potential course assignments include:

• HESC 0125 - OTA Practice I
• HESC 0225 - OTA Practice II
• HESC 0325 - OTA Practice III
• HESC 0175 - Occupational Science I (Psychosocial Focus)

These courses introduce students to the philosophy and core values of occupational therapy, therapeutic use of self, psychosocial occupational science, activity analysis, documentation fundamentals, teaching-learning principles, group process, clinical reasoning, and the OTA scope of practice across individual, group, and population-based settings.

Adjunct appointments are in-person and may begin in Spring 2026, with potential for continued teaching opportunities in subsequent semesters.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

Essential:

Adjunct Instructors will:

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-informed instruction in assigned OTA coursework.
• Demonstrate up-to-date expertise in foundational OTA practice, psychosocial occupational science, and related curricular content.
• Implement inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive teaching practices aligned with university and program values.
• Assess and evaluate student learning using multiple methods that support course and program-level outcomes.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback and support student academic and professional development, including connection to student-success resources.
• Maintain accurate student records, grading, and course documentation in accordance with university policy.
• Use Brightspace to manage course content, communication, and assignments.
• Hold regular office hours to assist students and promote academic success.
• Collaborate with OTA-B program faculty to maintain horizontal and vertical curriculum alignment.
• Support students in building competencies in professional behaviors, documentation, supervision principles, and foundational OTA practice skills.

Job Requirements:

Minimum Required Qualifications

To ensure alignment with the 2023 ACOTE Standards, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Licensure / Regulation Requirements

• Must hold current licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) or Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, consistent with jurisdictional requirements for teaching OT content.
• Licensure must remain active and in good standing throughout the appointment period.

2. Degree Requirements

• Minimum of a master's degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution in Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences, or a closely related field.

3. Academic & Experiential Qualifications

• Documented, current occupational therapy practice expertise applicable to the instructional responsibilities of each assigned course.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver instruction consistent with program curriculum and professional competencies.
• Experience assessing student performance using effective and diverse evaluation strategies.

4. Knowledge Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of curriculum design and alignment with OTA professional standards.
• Ability to integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles into teaching and professional communication.
• Understanding of resources that support student well-being and success.
• Proficiency with instructional technology, including Brightspace or comparable learning management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior teaching experience in higher education, ideally within OTA or OT programs.
• Experience supervising OTA/OT students in clinical or fieldwork settings.
• Documented effectiveness in teaching, mentorship, or clinical instruction.
• Experience coordinating or supervising Level I or Level II fieldwork students.
• Clinical background in psychosocial practice, behavioral health, or group process (relevant for HESC 0175 or HESC 0325).
• Demonstrated commitment to professional mentorship and student development.

Additional Information:

Salary:
Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage.

Disability Accommodations
Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.

To apply, visit http://westfield.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=195992