Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy (24-19)

Francis Marion University and the School of Health Sciences invite applications for the position of Assistant Professor for the Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) Program, which will accept its first cohort in August 2024. The FMU Occupational Therapy Program seeks an experienced faculty member who will collaborate with all stakeholders of the OTD program to ensure full accreditation. The successful candidate will serve as an integral member of the Department and the School of Health Sciences team during the initial accreditation process of this new program, and have the primary responsibility of developing, teaching, and maintaining curriculum in areas of expertise as determined by the Program Director/Department Chair.

Additional duties include but are not limited to:

• Serves as academic advisor and student capstone mentor.
• Engages in collaborative scholarship and internal/external service activities which identifies and addresses medical needs of the regional community.
• Contributes to committee service within the program, department, university, and the profession.
• Leads the coordination of opportunities which enrich didactic and clinical curriculum through experiential learning with current clinical affiliations, community stakeholders, program staff, faculty, and adjuncts as the program’s Didactic Education Coordinator.

This position is a 12-month, tenure-track appointment. Candidates with expertise in all areas of Occupational Therapy will be considered, however experience in research, assistive technology, and/or neurorehabilitation science is highly desirable. The Assistant Professor reports to the Program Director/ Department Chair.

Preference will be given to candidates with academic, leadership, and accreditation experience in meeting responsibilities in teaching, scholarship, and service. This is an exciting opportunity for a professional in the field of Occupational Therapy to be a part of a newly established program that will produce qualified Occupational Therapists for northeastern South Carolina and other regions of the state.

Francis Marion University is a state-supported, regional university located in Florence, South Carolina. FMU has been named a “Great College to Work For” since 2013, as determined by the Chronicle of Higher Education-sponsored survey of higher education institutions. In addition, it has been recognized for its excellence in education by several national ranking agencies, among them the US News and World Report survey, which has named FMU as one of its top regional universities in the south for more than a decade.

Candidates will find Florence, South Carolina to be an excellent place to live. Florence enjoys award winning schools, affordable cost of living, excellent healthcare, and robust recreational programs including sports, community events, and festivals. Florence is a growing city with a vibrant arts culture. Within a few-hours’ drive are several metropolitan areas, including Columbia, South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Savannah, Georgia, and less than hour drive; the northeastern South Carolina beaches. Florence’s thriving downtown was recently awarded the prestigious Great American Main Street Award, which recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

The Occupational Therapy program occupies two buildings in downtown Florence. The Luther F. Carter Center for Health Sciences, which is also home to FMU’s Graduate Nursing and Graduate Psychology programs, houses OT faculty offices, classrooms, and labs. Located directly across the street in the Hugh and Jean Leatherman Medical Education Complex, is the FMU Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, in-house Psychology and SLP clinics, and additional OT lab spaces.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Current SC state licensure as an occupational therapist or eligibility for OT licensure in South Carolina.
• A minimum of 3 years clinical experience as a registered occupational therapist (OTR).
• A terminal degree in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Interest in working at a university committed to quality, higher education in the health sciences.
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity and the ability to work with individuals or groups from diverse backgrounds.

In addition to strong academic qualifications and excellence in teaching, the University highly values experience working with diverse populations, and other underrepresented groups. Appointments at the rank of Assistant Professor must demonstrate the potential for effective teaching, student mentoring, and conducting research in area of expertise. For appointments at the rank of Associate Professor, candidates must demonstrate a history of successful teaching at the graduate level, student mentoring, and an established program of research.

Start Date: July 1, 2024

Materials Needed:

1. Letter of Interest (Referencing Position Number 24-19)
2. Curriculum vitae.
3. Philosophy of Teaching & Education.
4. Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate);
5. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references; and
6. FMU Faculty Application.

To obtain the FMU Faculty Application, please click here.

Send Application Packet to: Dr. Charlene Wages, Vice President for Administration and Planning, Francis Marion University, PO Box 100547, Florence, SC 29502-0547, or FAX to (843) 661-1202, or Email to HRAssist@fmarion.edu

For additional information, please contact Dr. Rachelle Lydell at 843-661-1667; rachelle.lydell@fmarion.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

As Francis Marion University has continued to be recognized for its diverse student body, it especially welcomes applicants who can affirm and enhance its mission.

Applicants honorably discharged from a branch of the United States Armed Forces, who meet the minimum training and experience requirements, are given employment preference by all State agencies and higher education institutions in SC.

An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution