Job Description

The University of Montana, College of Health- School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, invites applications for a non-tenure track Clinical Assistant or Associate Professor for the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program to begin as early as July 2026. This position will also serve as the Orthopedic Residency Director for School’s ABPTRE-credentialled orthopedic residency position.

The DPT program is a fully CAPTE-accredited 2.75-year entry-level program with 36 students per class. It is the only Physical Therapy program in the state and has been CAPTE-accredited for over 40 years.

Responsibilities:

• Split duties between on-site clinic and academic efforts in the residential DPT program
• Serve as the Director and primary resident mentor of the School’s ABPTRE-credentialled orthopedic residency
• Produce evidence of effectiveness in clinical mentoring as a preceptor working in a 4-1 student-clinical instructor model in a musculoskeletal patient population
• Teach, advise, and mentor students in the DPT program
• Engage in instructional design and evaluation of expected student, resident, and clinical outcomes
• Serve on department and university committees consistent with a non-tenure track role in the school
• Complete a research agenda that meets minimal expectations for core faculty defined by the accrediting body
• Engage in some admissions and recruitment efforts for the DPT program
• Lead the admission and recruitment efforts of our orthopedic residency
• Participate in shared program and institutional governance
• Promote the mission and vision of the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, the College of Health, and the University of Montana

This position is needed to support the musculoskeletal and clinically focused didactic portion of the DPT program. Further, this position will see patients and work as a part-time clinical preceptor within our on-site outpatient clinic. They will also lead the resident faculty team’s efforts to operate our orthopedic residency. Teaching content is negotiable, and we attempt to match applicants’ interests and expertise with the program’s needs.

About the College of Health and School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

College of Health

School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

About the University of Montana

UM is the fastest growing flagship university in Montana with over 10,000 students and is a national leader in access, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Our mission is inclusive prosperity and to transform lives by providing a high-quality and accessible education and by generating world-class research and creative scholarship in an exceptional place. We integrate the liberal arts and sciences into undergraduate, graduate and professional studies to shape global citizens who are creative and agile learners committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge and to building and sustaining diverse communities.

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

About Missoula and Montana

Destination Missoula

Visit Montana

Position Details

Non-Tenurable Faculty: School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science

Title: Clinical Assistant Professor or Clinical Associate Professor; rank is dependent on applicant’s qualifications and experience

Schedule: Full time, fiscal year position

Salary: $85,000 to $95,000; Salary is dependent on rank

Benefits: Medical Insurance/Mandatory Retirement Contribution/Professional Development/Partial Tuition Waiver/Wellness

Primary Duties: Primary duties include teaching, clinical preceptor, directing the residency program, patient care, and some scholarship and service. Teaching responsibilities may include a combination of required, elective, and clinical courses.

Qualifications

• Entry-level or post-professional DPT degree or a graduate clinical degree with a post-professional doctoral degree (ScD, EdD, PhD)
• Hold a current physical therapy license and be eligible for physical therapy licensure in Montana
• Minimum of three (3) years of post-licensure clinical practice
• Possess clinical expertise and experience in orthopedic physical therapy to direct an orthopedic residency and serve as a musculoskeletal clinical preceptor
• Hold a current physical therapy board certification as an orthopedic clinical specialist (OCS) or agree and be eligible to obtain their OCS certification within two (2) years of taking the position
• Experience and qualifications in operations, financial management, and leadership to administratively oversee our orthopedic residency program
• Evidence of strong organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving, and counseling skills as they relate to clinical teaching and clinical education
• Effective communication and collaborative skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior ABPTRFE residency director experience
• Clinic instructor experience, especially in a model that had more than one student per clinical instructor (2+:1 models)
• Prior experience and evidence of effectiveness in teaching physical therapy curriculum
• Prior experience in leadership and/or management roles
• Clinical Instructor Credentialing and/or training in clinical instruction
• Evidence of advanced clinical specialization beyond residency

Application Instructions

Priority Application Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026 09:59pm mountain time

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials.

• Letter of Interest addressing the qualifications
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• of recent teaching, precepting, or clinical evaluations, if available
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information
• Unofficial Transcripts (official transcripts will be requested upon hire)
• Teaching Statement, including statement of foundational principlesof teaching in the clinic and classroom

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

University of Montana (UM) is an equal opportunity employer. UM does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request.

Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.