Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (Occupational Therapy / MSOT Program)

The Academic Fieldwork Coordinator (AFWC) plays a critical leadership role in shaping the clinical education experience for students in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program. This position is responsible for developing, managing, and continuously improving high-quality fieldwork experiences that prepare students for clinical practice across diverse healthcare settings.

This role is designed for doctoral-prepared occupational therapists seeking to apply their clinical expertise in an academic leadership capacity while influencing student outcomes at scale. The AFWC ensures alignment between curriculum, fieldwork education, and Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) standards, while building and maintaining strong partnerships with clinical sites.

This position offers a structured academic environment with predictable scheduling, reduced physical demands compared to clinical practice, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the next generation of occupational therapy professionals.

Role Focus: This position is primarily administrative and relationship-driven, with a focus on fieldwork program development, clinical partnerships, and student placement oversight. Teaching responsibilities are limited and secondary to fieldwork coordination.

Essential Functions:

• Lead the coordination and administration of MSOT fieldwork education in alignment with program goals, institutional strategy, and ACOTE standards.
• Develop, expand, and maintain a diverse portfolio of high-quality fieldwork sites across evolving areas of practice.
• Establish and manage clinical affiliation agreements to ensure sufficient placement capacity for timely student progression and graduation.
• Align fieldwork experiences with curriculum design to ensure integration between didactic learning and clinical application.
• Schedule and place students in Level I and Level II fieldwork experiences.
• Oversee administrative compliance, including contracts, student health records, immunizations, and required documentation.
• Ensure full compliance with ACOTE standards, including reporting, documentation, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with fieldwork educators, providing training, guidance, and ongoing support.
• Serve as a strategic liaison between the university and clinical partners to strengthen collaboration and program reputation.
• Monitor and evaluate fieldwork site quality through site visits, student evaluations, and educator feedback.
• Analyze placement outcomes and implement improvements to enhance student experience and program effectiveness.
• Advise and mentor students on fieldwork readiness, site selection, and successful completion strategies.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies related to fieldwork progression and withdrawal.
• Contribute to accreditation, regulatory reporting, and program assessment activities.
• Teach limited coursework within area of expertise as assigned, with primary emphasis on fieldwork program leadership.
• Engage in scholarly and professional development activities to maintain clinical and academic currency.
• Participate in departmental meetings, institutional events, and graduation ceremonies.
• Foster a professional, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.
• Provide excellent service to students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director that do not interfere with fieldwork responsibilities.

Qualifications:

• Doctoral Degree (OTD or equivalent terminal degree) in Occupational Therapy or a related field from a regionally accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Current National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) certification.
• Active, unencumbered California Occupational Therapy license.
• Minimum of four (4) years of documented clinical experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACOTE accreditation standards and fieldwork education requirements.
• Experience mentoring students, supervising clinicians, or supporting fieldwork educators.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, execution, and cross-functional coordination.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to build and sustain external partnerships with healthcare organizations.
• Familiarity with institutional, accrediting, state, and federal standards in higher education.
• Experience with fieldwork management platforms (e.g., EXXAT, CORE), learning management systems, or student information systems preferred.
• Commitment to scholarly engagement and continuous professional development.

Compensation:

$90,000 – $115,000 annually. Compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and internal equity considerations. This role offers competitive compensation aligned with academic leadership positions and reflects the advanced education and expertise required.

Conditions of Employment:

• A job-related assessment may be required during the interview process.
• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be physically present in the office (unless otherwise noted).
• Employment verification will be conducted to validate work experience per accreditation standards.
• Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
• Official transcripts are required prior to hire. Degrees earned outside the United States must be evaluated by a recognized credential evaluation service.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work Environment:

• Standard office/classroom/lab or clinical setting.
• Duties are typically performed while sitting at a desk or computer workstation.
• May include time spent in skills labs or bedside environments as required by the program.
• Subject to frequent interruptions, noise from talking or office equipment, and demanding timelines.

Physical Demands:

• Regularly sits for extended periods.
• Physical ability to perform program- or department-related duties.
• Proficient in using electronic keyboards and office equipment.
• Effective verbal communication via phone and in person.
• Ability to read fine print, operate computers, and understand voices clearly.
• Able to lift, carry, and/or move objects weighing 10–25 pounds as needed.

Employee Benefits:

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan (401k)
• Exciting university events
• Seasonal motivational health and wellness challenges
• Work/Life Balance initiatives
• Onsite wellness program / Staff Chiropractor
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

Institutional Values:

• Diversity and Inclusion: Stanbridge University’s motto, “Strength through Diversity,” reflects our deep commitment to honoring the diverse backgrounds of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding communities. We strive to build an inclusive learning environment and uphold anti-discrimination practices in all aspects of university life.
• Innovation and Technology: We embrace cutting-edge technology to enhance student learning through interactive, hands-on experiences, including virtual reality and simulation labs—ensuring students are prepared for the demands of modern healthcare practice.
• Community Engagement: Through initiatives such as Stanbridge outREACH, students are empowered to give back to local and global communities, cultivating compassion, civic responsibility, and social awareness.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Stanbridge University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.