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Excelon Associates  ·  Sample Job Description  ·  Healthcare Education  ·  October 2025

Sample Job Description  ·  Healthcare Education  ·  Physical Therapy Academic Leadership

Department Chair, Physical Therapy

RoleDepartment Chair, Physical Therapy
EducationDoctorate Required (DPT or PhD)
Experience5+ Years Academic or Clinical Leadership
AccreditationCAPTE Standards
EducationDoctorate Required
Experience5+ Years Leadership
AccreditationCAPTE
SectorHealthcare Education
📍  US-Based Accredited Institution  |  Doctor of Physical Therapy Program  |  Full-Time, Academic Leadership
Position Overview

Department Chair, Physical Therapy

Excelon Associates is proud to partner with an accredited institution in identifying an accomplished leader to serve as Department Chair for its Physical Therapy program. The Chair provides academic, administrative, and strategic leadership for the DPT program, ensuring excellence in curriculum, clinical education, faculty development, and CAPTE accreditation compliance.

The ideal candidate brings a balance of clinical expertise, academic leadership experience, and a genuine commitment to preparing the next generation of physical therapy practitioners for a demanding and evolving healthcare environment.

Key Responsibilities

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide overall academic and administrative leadership for the Doctor of Physical Therapy program
  • Ensure ongoing CAPTE accreditation compliance through systematic program assessment and continuous quality improvement
  • Lead faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation, fostering a culture of academic excellence and professional growth
  • Oversee curriculum design, delivery, and assessment to ensure alignment with CAPTE standards and current PT education best practices
  • Develop and maintain clinical education partnerships with hospitals, outpatient clinics, and healthcare systems
  • Manage program budgets, resources, and administrative operations in coordination with institutional leadership
  • Represent the program within the institution and the broader physical therapy academic and professional community
Qualifications

Education, Licensure, and Experience

EducationDoctorate required (DPT, PhD, or equivalent); current PT licensure required
Experience5+ years of progressive experience in physical therapy academic leadership, program administration, or clinical education, with CAPTE accreditation familiarity
EducationDoctorate required (DPT or PhD); PT licensure required
Experience5+ years PT academic leadership or program administration
AccreditationCAPTE accreditation experience required
  • Demonstrated experience with CAPTE accreditation self-study, site visits, and ongoing compliance
  • Strong record of faculty leadership and curriculum development in a DPT or allied health program
  • Commitment to interprofessional education, clinical excellence, and student-centered program design

Physical therapy department chairs are educators, clinicians, administrators, and advocates all at once. The programs they build determine whether graduates are ready for a healthcare system that does not slow down for anyone.

Need to Hire a Physical Therapy Department Chair?

Excelon Associates recruits academic leaders for physical therapy and allied health programs at accredited institutions nationwide. Retained executive search since 2007. Headquartered in Asheville, NC.

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