Title: Adjunct Instructor - Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Courses (Westfield)

Location: Westfield, Ma, 01085, US

Company: Westfield State University

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About Westfield State University:

In 1839, Westfield State University was founded on the ideals of Horace Mann who sought to improve society through education. We were the first public education institution without barrier to race, gender or economic class. The spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies contributing to the development of knowledge, skills, and character essential for students to become responsible leaders and engaged citizens.

Westfield State is a highly residential campus with approximately 55% of our 3,100 full-time undergraduate students living on campus. The campus is ideally situated on the edge of the Berkshire Mountains in western Massachusetts just 30 minutes from the thriving cultural centers of Springfield, Northampton, and Amherst with a selection of museums, theater, collegiate and minor league sports, hiking trails, and restaurants. The University is within 1.5 hours of Boston and Albany and within 3 hours of New York City and the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

Thank You for Your Interest in Becoming a Westfield State Community Member

You are welcome here. You can advance your career and make a difference here. We invite you to bring your whole self and talents to Westfield State University. The University seeks applicants whose record of teaching, student advising, research, and administration positions them to contribute to the everyday practice of our institutional values.

Our Values

Westfield State commits to values that strengthen a common bond among all members of our community and promotes a rich campus environment.

• Embrace Diversity - We treat all members of our community with dignity and respect.
• Maintain Excellence and Integrity - We maintain excellence and integrity in all that we do.
• Collaborate with Each Other - We make decisions in a transparent and collaborative manner.
• Provide Accessible Education - We commit to providing an accessible, affordable public higher education for all.
• Build a Strong Community - We are inclusive and ensure equity, supporting the personal development of all community members, and embracing multiple perspectives.
• Engage the Outside Community - We support civic engagement in local, regional, and global initiatives.

Job Description:

Campus Title: Adjunct Instructor - Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) Courses
Department: Health Sciences
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MSCA
Funding: Contracted

Job Type: Part-time, Temporary
Timeframe: Spring 2026 Semester
Shift: TBD
Regular Days Off: Saturday and Sunday
Supervision Received: Reports to the chair of the Health Sciences Department

Salary: According to MSCA contract guidelines:

Unit Member: $2,253.60 per credit
Non-Unit Member: $1,496.73 per credit

Position Overview:

The Department of Health Sciences is seeking qualified part-time Adjunct Instructors to teach foundational coursework within the Occupational Therapy Assistant Baccalaureate (OTA-B) Program. Potential course assignments include:

• HESC 0125 - OTA Practice I
• HESC 0225 - OTA Practice II
• HESC 0325 - OTA Practice III
• HESC 0175 - Occupational Science I (Psychosocial Focus)

These courses introduce students to the philosophy and core values of occupational therapy, therapeutic use of self, psychosocial occupational science, activity analysis, documentation fundamentals, teaching-learning principles, group process, clinical reasoning, and the OTA scope of practice across individual, group, and population-based settings.

Adjunct appointments are in-person and may begin in Spring 2026, with potential for continued teaching opportunities in subsequent semesters.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Duties include but not limited to:
Essential:

Adjunct Instructors will:

• Deliver high-quality, evidence-informed instruction in assigned OTA coursework.
• Demonstrate up-to-date expertise in foundational OTA practice, psychosocial occupational science, and related curricular content.
• Implement inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive teaching practices aligned with university and program values.
• Assess and evaluate student learning using multiple methods that support course and program-level outcomes.
• Provide timely, constructive feedback and support student academic and professional development, including connection to student-success resources.
• Maintain accurate student records, grading, and course documentation in accordance with university policy.
• Use Brightspace to manage course content, communication, and assignments.
• Hold regular office hours to assist students and promote academic success.
• Collaborate with OTA-B program faculty to maintain horizontal and vertical curriculum alignment.
• Support students in building competencies in professional behaviors, documentation, supervision principles, and foundational OTA practice skills.

Requirements:

Minimum Required Qualifications

To ensure alignment with the 2023 ACOTE Standards, candidates must meet the following criteria:

1. Licensure / Regulation Requirements

• Must hold current licensure as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) or Occupational Therapist (OT) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, consistent with jurisdictional requirements for teaching OT content.
• Licensure must remain active and in good standing throughout the appointment period.

2. Degree Requirements

• Minimum of a master's degree from a USDE-recognized accredited institution in Occupational Therapy, Health Sciences, or a closely related field.
  

3. Academic & Experiential Qualifications

• Documented, current occupational therapy practice expertise applicable to the instructional responsibilities of each assigned course.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver instruction consistent with program curriculum and professional competencies.
• Experience assessing student performance using effective and diverse evaluation strategies.

4. Knowledge Requirements

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of curriculum design and alignment with OTA professional standards.
• Ability to integrate Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) principles into teaching and professional communication.
• Understanding of resources that support student well-being and success.
• Proficiency with instructional technology, including Brightspace or comparable learning management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior teaching experience in higher education, ideally within OTA or OT programs.
• Experience supervising OTA/OT students in clinical or fieldwork settings.
• Documented effectiveness in teaching, mentorship, or clinical instruction.
• Experience coordinating or supervising Level I or Level II fieldwork students.
• Clinical background in psychosocial practice, behavioral health, or group process (relevant for HESC 0175 or HESC 0325).
• Demonstrated commitment to professional mentorship and student development.

Additional Information:

Salary:

Salaries for current Westfield State University employees and individuals currently working for the state of Massachusetts must be calculated individually in accordance with collective bargaining agreements as well as state policies. State job specifications may be found on the Department of Higher Education's webpage .

Disability Accommodations

Westfield State University is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Human Resources at (413) 572-8809 or visit us in the Horace Mann Building, 1st floor.

Background Check

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration.


Application Instructions:

An online application is required. A complete application includes:

• Cover Letter*
• Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial copy of transcripts of highest degree
• Statement of teaching philosophy with areas for continuing scholarship
• Contact information for three reference letter providers

Notes:

* In your cover letter please include the ways in which you would advance diversity and inclusion in your classroom and at the University.

Contact information for three reference letter providers should be completed on the reference form. Applicants that are using Interfolio for an existing confidential letter of recommendation should provide the Interfolio based email address (e.g. ref1@interfolio.com).

Application deadline: Review of applications will begin immediately. The job will remain open until finalists have been selected.

APPLICANTS ADDED TO THE ADJUNCT HIRING POOL WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY WHEN A COURSE OPENING BECOMES AVAILABLE AND THEIR QUALIFICATIONS ALIGN WITH THE INSTRUCTIONAL NEEDS OF THE OTA-B PROGRAM.

NOTE: If you need assistance completing your application please contact our online Help Desk . The link to the help desk can be found at the top of the page via Contact Us.
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