"Dean, School of Physical Therapy"

Dean, School of Physical Therapy

Company: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences

Job Location: Yakima, WA

Category: Health Sciences Deans

Type: Full-Time

POSITION TITLE: Dean of the School of Physical Therapy

POSITION OVERVIEW: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Physical Therapy. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) seeks an experienced leader and passionate educator who is dedicated to serving in rural and underserved medical areas in the Pacific Northwest.

The Dean of the School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) serves as the lead academic, administrative, and fiscal officer of the SOPT. This full-time position provides executive leadership for the school and reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The Dean is primarily responsible for guiding the faculty to help graduate future physical therapists that will meet the school and university mission of improving healthcare in rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. The program received the initial maximum 5-year accreditation in May of 2025 immediately following the graduation of their inaugural class.

The School of Physical Therapy at PNWU features a forward-thinking team of faculty and staff. We are seeking an inspiring leader who thrives in an innovative and collaborative environment. Ideal candidates should be eager to help shape the future of physical therapy education and be confident in a highly interactive residential learning environment. The Dean's role is primarily administrative. 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 planning and assessment, teaching courses in areas of expertise, maintaining a productive research program, and demonstrating leadership in service.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees strategic planning and implementation, program development 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). Maintains 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, maintains, and mentors 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
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education

• Earned degree in Physical Therapy as a graduate of a school accredited by CAPTE
• Earned terminal academic degree such as Ph.D., Ed.D., or DSc
• Licensed physical therapist in the United States jurisdiction and eligible for licensure in the state of Washington

Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of full-time higher education experience with a minimum of 3 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 QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience

• 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 their area of expertise with demonstrated teaching and scholarship in the chosen area
• Professional association engagement and commitment to service
• Prior experience with CAPTE accreditation
• Desire to work with faculty with mentorship and career development

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skilled in effective communication (both written and oral); independent decision making; problem solving; and coordinating and monitoring the work of others
• Knowledge of administrative procedures and practices; advising and counseling practices; business management and fiscal practices; computer and network operating systems; customer service principles and practices; human resources principles and practices; and project management principles, processes, and techniques

ABOUT PNWU: Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences was founded as a non-profit medical institution in 2005. The University has since grown to offer 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. The University has one clear mission: to educate and train healthcare professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest. The campus continues to expand, supporting a variety of new programs. It is truly an excellent time to work for PNWU.

The School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) at PNWU is a student-focused, patient-centered, collaborative, and dynamic learning environment that centers around PNWU's mission for rural and medically underserved areas. The curriculum is grounded in the mission and designed to produce a reflective generalist who offers evidence-informed quality care, in a compassionate and professional manner.

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. The CAMS laboratory serves as both a pro-bono treatment lab within our integrated clinical experience courses, as well as clinical research lab for faculty and students. In addition, the SOPT has established other pro-bono clinics at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission and the Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, 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

Learn more about the SOPT at https://www.pnwu.edu/academics/school-of-physical-therapy/

ABOUT YAKIMA: Yakima, Washington, a city of approximately 95,000, is located in the heart of a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. Nestled near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in south-central Washington, Yakima offers the charm of a rural community while sitting within a short drive of three metropolitan areas: about 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. With its beautiful surroundings and access to both nature and nearby cities, the Yakima Valley is truly a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

Salary Range: $165,000 - $225,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.