Job Description
Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program Director
Mitchell Technical College – Mitchell, SD
POSITION SUMMARY
Mitchell Technical College is seeking a visionary, highly qualified professional to serve as our Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) Program Director. This foundational leadership position is scheduled to begin in Fall 2026, providing the successful candidate with a dedicated, two-year runway to navigate the pre-accreditation process and build the program from the ground up prior to welcoming our inaugural cohort of students in Fall 2028. This is a premier role perfect for an experienced physical therapy professional looking to transition from clinic to classroom, take complete ownership of an academic department, and spearhead the development and launch of a brand-new program.
The successful candidate will lead the program through its initial development phase, design modern curriculum pathways, secure compliance, and ultimately oversee both classroom and clinical lab environments to guide students toward successful careers.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Program & Curriculum Development: Drive the comprehensive development, planning, and evaluation of the new PTA program curriculum ahead of the program launch.
- Accreditation Leadership: Provide administrative oversight to ensure full compliance with CAPTE pre-accreditation standards and institutional benchmarks.
- Instructional Delivery: Teach core physical therapy theory, manage practical skills labs, utilize advanced student simulations, and oversee clinical experiences across a variety of healthcare settings.
- Student Mentorship: Direct student advisement, track individual learning outcomes, and foster professional development to maximize degree completion and career placement.
- Strategic Collaboration: Partner with institutional leadership, clinical affiliates, and community stakeholders to cultivate a premier training environment.
JOB REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS
To satisfy strict programmatic accreditation requirements (CAPTE) and ensure excellent institutional leadership, candidates must bring a robust blend of clinical experience, academic capability, and verified professional development.
- Education: Minimum of a Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Licensure: Hold an active, unencumbered Physical Therapist (PT) license or Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) license/certification, with the ability to maintain compliance with the practice act in South Dakota.
- Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of full-time, post-licensure experience.
- Within those five years, a minimum of three (3) years of full-time clinical practice experience is required.
- Documented experience in classroom, laboratory, or clinical teaching settings.
- Proven experience in healthcare administration, department management, or organizational leadership.
- Professional Development: Must have earned a minimum of 60 contact hours of professional development or education comprehensively covering:
- Educational theory and methodology
- Instructional design
- Student evaluation
- Outcome assessment
- Background Check: Must be able to successfully pass a state and federal criminal background check.
BENEFITS
Mitchell Tech offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:
- Participation in the South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS).
- Health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options.
- Tuition Assistance Program for ongoing professional growth.
- A stable, predictable academic schedule free from clinic weekend or holiday constraints.