Description:

Job Description Summary:

This is a 1.0 FTE annualized faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor in the entry-level Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) and Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) programs on the Oakland campus.

The appointment is divided equally between teaching (0.5 FTE) and coordination of the programs' National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) exam readiness efforts (0.5 FTE).

In the teaching role, the faculty member guides the learning of students in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings; develops and teaches courses for which they are qualified by education, certification, and professional experience; and contributes to assessment and continuous improvement of the curriculum.
In the coordinator role, the faculty member leads NBCOT exam preparation strategy and support across the student lifecycle, from early identification of academic risk through post-graduation exam preparation, with the goal of improving first-time pass rates and ensuring graduates are prepared for safe, entry-level occupational therapy practice.

The position reports to the Program Director of the MOT & OTD Programs. Related duties include maintaining weekly office hours, attending department meetings and participating in Department and University events and ceremonies.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties and Responsibilities:
Other duties may be assigned. An asterisk ( ) denotes an "essential job function" for ADA purposes. This 12-month annualized faculty appointment is 1.0 FTE, with 0.5 FTE devoted to teaching, advising, and service and 0.5 FTE devoted to NBCOT exam coordination.

Teaching & Learning 45%

·       Develops instructional materials and student learning activities for assigned courses based on course and program learning outcomes, and within the context of the program's philosophy and curriculum design.

·       Collaborates with other faculty to coordinate teaching and provide an optimal learning environment for students.

·       Selects and uses a variety of situationally appropriate teaching methods and strategies, including but not limited to lecture, discussion, role-playing, group activities, laboratory instruction, simulation, and audiovisual and technical materials.

·       Communicates effectively with students and peers in teaching course and clinical material and in the achievement of identified learning outcomes.

·       Develops and implements assessment of student learning outcomes using the most appropriate methods for the course, including but not limited to written exams, papers, presentations, practical exams, and projects.

·       Provides regular and timely verbal and written feedback to students, including the return of graded assignments and documentation of students' learning deficiencies.

·       Completes formative and summative evaluation reports on student achievement of learning outcomes and submits final grades according to University policy.

·       Continuously assesses courses and instructional performance to improve student learning outcomes.

·       Continuously evaluates courses in the context of the overall curriculum and implements improvements as indicated by this assessment.

·       Contributes to the continuous curricular improvement work of the programs in maintaining ACOTE accreditation.

NBCOT Exam Coordination 50%

·       Exam Readiness Strategy & Program Oversight

·       Leads development and implementation of a comprehensive NBCOT exam readiness strategy across the MOT and OTD programs.

·       Establishes structured exam preparation pathways from program entry through graduation.

·       Oversees integration of standardized and predictive assessment tools (such as NBCOT StudyPack, TherapyEd, or equivalent) into the curriculum.

·       Develops structured remediation frameworks aligned with student performance data.

·       Monitors national trends in NBCOT exam content, format, and outcomes and integrates best practices into program strategy.

·       Ensures alignment between exam preparation efforts and program outcomes.

Student Success Infrastructure

·       Develops early identification processes for students at academic risk of not passing the NBCOT exam.

·       Implements individualized exam readiness plans for identified students.

·       Coordinates exam preparation workshops, boot camps, and review sessions.

·       Supports graduates preparing for the exam, including repeat test takers.

·       Coordinates with the Program Director and Registrar on graduate eligibility verification for NBCOT exam applications.

·       Advises graduates on the California Board of Occupational Therapy licensure process as it relates to exam completion.

Data Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

·       Monitors NBCOT performance data, predictive exam results, and course outcomes.

·       Develops dashboards to track student readiness indicators.

·       Provides regular reports to the Program Director and department leadership.

·       Identifies trends affecting pass rates and recommends corrective actions.

·       Participates in continuous improvement planning related to certification outcomes.

Faculty Collaboration

·       Works with course faculty to integrate exam preparation strategies into the curriculum.

·       Guides alignment of course assessments with the NBCOT exam content outline and supports faculty in writing exam-style items.

·       Partners with faculty on remediation planning for individual students.

·       Supports faculty development related to exam preparation and assessment.

·       Collaborates with the Curriculum Committee on readiness initiatives.

Accreditation & Regulatory Support

·        Prepares NBCOT outcome data for ACOTE, WSCUC, and program review reporting, including the programs' publicly posted pass rates.

·       Assists with self-study and program review documentation related to certification outcomes.

·       Ensures exam readiness initiatives align with ACOTE standards and accreditation expectations.

Academic Advising & Service 5%

·        Available during regularly posted office hours and by appointment to provide academic advising to students outside of regularly scheduled course hours.
Provides group and individual advising related to exam preparation, study plans, and test-taking strategies.

·       Provides service to the Department as coordinated by the Program Director and Department Chair, including attending meetings, serving on committees, and participating in admission application reviews annually.

·       Represents the programs in University student success and licensure readiness initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

·       A doctoral degree (OTD, PhD, EdD, or related field) is required.
Current NBCOT certification is required.

·       Current, unencumbered licensure to practice occupational therapy in California, or eligibility to obtain California licensure prior to appointment, is required.

·       Eligibility for faculty appointments at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor is required; rank will be determined by qualifications and experience.

·       Clinical expertise in the practice area of the teaching assignment is required.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Prior teaching experience in an entry-level occupational therapy program is strongly preferred.

·       Experience developing or leading certification exam preparation, academic remediation, progression, or student success initiatives is preferred.

·       Experience using standardized testing and exam preparation platforms (such as NBCOT StudyPack, TherapyEd, AOTA resources, or equivalent) is preferred.

·       Demonstrated ability to analyze student performance and outcomes data and translate findings into measurable improvement strategies is preferred.

·       A record of improving certification exam pass rates or other measurable student outcomes is preferred.

·       Item writing, test development, or assessment experience is preferred.

·       Knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards as they relate to student progression and certification outcomes is preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

·       Supervises and evaluates students in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings.

·       May supervise adjunct faculty, teaching assistants, or peer tutors supporting exam preparation.

Skills

·       Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).

·       Excellent interpersonal relationship skills.

·       Ability to calculate exam scores and grades.

·       Ability to analyze and present data clearly to faculty and leadership.

·       Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and stakeholders across two academic programs.

Abilities

·       Express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word in person, virtually, or on the telephone.

·       Receive detailed information through verbal and written communication.
Read and write clear documents.

·       Model appropriate ethical and professional behaviors.

·       Embrace the mission, vision, and values of the programs, college, and university.

Work Environment:

Office Location: Oakland Campus – Onsite

• This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in-office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement.
• Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.

Mental/Physical Requirements

The position will be performed in an office setting. The requirements described below are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to effectively receive and exchange information through verbal, written, and/or other forms of communication.
• Ability to perform primarily sedentary work, including extended periods of desk and computer-based activity.
• Ability to move throughout the work environment as needed to perform essential job responsibilities.
• Ability to occasionally perform physical activities such as standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, or navigating stairs as required by the position.

• This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person, video and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

 

Employee Status:

Regular

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type:

Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range:

The anticipated annual salary range for this exempt position is $105,000 – $130,000. The actual salary offered will be determined based on job-related factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and geographic location, as applicable.

Organization:

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences, SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to make impactful contributions to health and wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

Benefits

Samuel Merritt University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days

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• All legitimate job openings are posted on the SMU Careers page and trusted job boards.
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