Job Details

West Valley-Mission Community College District

Full-Time Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Instructor

Position Number: 6854361
Location: Saratoga, CA
Position Type: Health - Physical & Occupational Therapy

Full-Time Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Instructor

Closing Date: 02/18/2026

Definition:

The Department of Health and Human Development is seeking a talented individual to fill the position of Full-Time Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor.

West Valley College is part of the West Valley-Mission Community College District. Designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, West Valley College enrolls over 15,000 students annually and is minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley in a beautiful park-like setting on 143 wooded acres. The student population represents diverse communities from the cities of Saratoga, Campbell, and Los Gatos. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research webpage.

The college is ranked number one in transfer in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area and number four in California out of 116 community colleges. The college is known for high quality academic and career education programs supported by talented faculty and dedicated classified professionals who bring an equity-minded approach to student success. Most recently West Valley College was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 200 U.S. community colleges eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for community College Excellence. WVC inspires students to create a future for themselves so they can contribute to a world in need of their talents, drive, and enthusiasm. Centered on innovation, excellence, belonging, and inclusivity, the college was honored to receive the 2025-2028 FamilyU Seal for its service to parenting students.

As a campus community, West Valley is committed to addressing inequities and injustices, both societal and institutional, and so recognizes that institutions of higher education have colluded, harmed, and remained complacent in upholding aspects of white supremacy, ableism, patriarchy, and other systems of oppression. The West Valley College community is committed to long-term equity, social justice, and racial justice work which will transform individuals, the institution, and the greater community. As a collective community, we embrace accountability and will act with courage, grace, and humility in fulfilling our commitment to learning and unlearning.

Under the direction of the Dean of Health and Human Development, the Kinesiology department will support new faculty by fostering a strong mentoring network, guidance on instructional expectations, curriculum processes, and helping them develop the professional skills needed for long-term success at the college.

Applicants who possess the knowledge, skills and life experiences to address the cultural and educational needs of a diverse student population are encouraged to apply.

Assignment:

This is a full-time, 10-month, tenure-track faculty position that begins in Fall 2026. Instructional assignments may include day and/or evening classes, Monday thru Saturday, as needed.This position is represented by the West Valley-Mission Federation of Teachers (WVMFT / AFT Local 6554).

Work location: West Valley College, Saratoga, CA

Salary and Benefits:

Anticipated Hiring Range:

$97,318 - $157,048 annually (10 months), based upon academic achievement, teaching and related experience (Academic Salary Schedule, Steps 1-9).

Benefits include:

Employer-contributed medical, dental and vision for employee, spouse and dependents.
Employer paid long term disability for employee.
Employer-provided life insurance.
Sabbatical, Rejuvenation and Retraining Leaves.
Banked leave provisions.
Professional Growth and Development activities.
10 days sick leave accrued annually; personal necessity and catastrophic leave.
Conference leaves.
Opportunity for overload assignments.
Cal STRS Retirement.
Position is union affiliated.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education - Possess one of the following:

Any bachelors degree or higher AND two (2) years of professional experience directly related to the faculty members teaching assignment; OR
Any associate degree AND six (6) years of professional experience directly related to the faculty members teaching assignment; OR
A valid California Community College Instructors Credential in Physical Therapy; OR
The equivalent of the above.

AND

2. Understanding of, and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation of community college students, faculty and staff.

Desired Qualification:

The ideal candidate will also demonstrate the following desired qualifications:

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) preferred.
Current California Physical Therapist or Physical Therapist Assistant licensure, or eligibility for California licensure.
Experience leading or supporting accreditation efforts, with demonstrated familiarity with Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE) standards, including:
- program planning and development for new PTA programs
- development and assessment of student learning outcomes and program outcomes
- documentation and reporting requirements
- continuous improvement processes
- compliance with faculty qualifications, curriculum standards, and clinical education expectations
- Experience building and sustaining clinical partnerships and ensuring adequate and diverse clinical placement opportunities for students.
Experience participating in or leading CAPTE accreditation processes, including preparing self-studies, supporting candidacy applications, hosting site visits, responding to recommendations, and maintaining compliance.
Engaging, student-centered instructor with successful college-level teaching experience in Physical Therapist Assistant or Physical Therapy education.
Demonstrated commitment to equity-minded, inclusive, and culturally responsive teaching with proven success supporting diverse, first-generation, multilingual, and underrepresented student populations in California Community Colleges.
Experience teaching effectively across modalities, including in-person lecture and lab, hybrid delivery, and online instruction.
Demonstrated ability to design and deliver competency-based, hands-on laboratory instruction that emphasizes clinical reasoning, safe patient care, professional behavior, and evidence-based practice.
Experience integrating case-based learning, simulation, interprofessional collaboration concepts, and applied clinical scenarios into instruction.
Experience using educational technology and learning management systems (e.g., Canvas) to support instruction, assessment, clinical documentation skills, and student engagement.
Strong grounding in equity-minded pedagogy, active learning strategies, trauma-informed practices, and student-centered instructional design.
Experience mentoring and advising students in clinical readiness, ethical practice, professional identity development, and communication skills.
Current knowledge of physical therapy practice standards, PTA scope of work, ethics, legal considerations, and evolving healthcare trends.
Demonstrated competence in supervising laboratory instruction including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiopulmonary, therapeutic exercise, gait training, patient handling and mobility, modalities, and safe use of rehabilitation equipment.
Experience applying and teaching clinical and lab safety protocols, including infection control, OSHA compliance, universal precautions, and patient safety practices.
Experience maintaining and managing instructional laboratory spaces, including equipment acquisition, maintenance, calibration, inventory, and safety compliance.
Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, program planning, student learning outcomes assessment, and alignment with professional competencies and accreditation standards.
Experience supporting or coordinating clinical education, including developing and sustaining clinical partnerships, working with Clinical Instructors, and supporting student placement and performance monitoring.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, advisory boards, healthcare partners, and clinical affiliates to build and sustain a high-quality PTA program.
Experience or interest in community outreach, workforce development initiatives, employer engagement, and activities that strengthen program visibility and regional healthcare impact.
Strong organizational, leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated initiative and innovation.
Effective written and oral communication skills.

Knowledge and Abilities:

Not applicable

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities:

Instructional duties and assignments may consist of one or more of the following:

Provide instruction for assigned courses. This includes preparation, in-class activities, evaluation of students work, consultation with students outside of class (scheduling time beyond normal office hours if necessary), ensuring regular effective student contact for Distance Education courses, maintenance of currency in the subjects taught and other efforts related to the teaching of the assigned classes, and participate in the process of SLO assessment and evaluation and use the results of these assessments in the process of continuously improving student learning.
Maintain accurate class and other records.
Submit, when due, all necessary reports, such as attendance, grade reports, rosters, class and office schedules.
File a syllabus for each course with the appropriate division offices.
Post and maintain office hours each week.
Provide each student with a current course syllabus as required by Title 5, which includes SLOs, classroom procedures, requirements and grading policies and provide a copy to the Division Office.
Refer students to appropriate college resources.
Assist students by providing advice on requirements for successful achievement in the members area of expertise.
Assume institutional responsibilities, essential to the ongoing operation and effective achievement of department, division, college and district programs.

Working Conditions:

Other Duties:

Application Information:

Physical Demands:

Applicant Information:

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Interested applicants must submit online all materials requested, including: (1) A completed online West Valley-Mission Community College District application; (2) Supplemental application questions; (3) Resume; (4) Unofficial copies of transcripts; (5) Cover letter and/or reference list, if requested; and (6) Any requested licenses or certificates, if applicable.
All sections of the online application, including Education and Educational Work History, must be completed thoroughly.
Supervisor(s) name(s) and telephone numbers must be included in the application.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Do NOT send unrequested materials. Unrequested materials will be removed from your application and will not be used for consideration of employment.
The employment application and supporting documents represent you; it is to your advantage to fill out the application form carefully and completely.
If you have a question that isnt covered in our FAQs, please contact us at careers@wvm.edu.

ABOUT TRANSCRIPTS:

If a minimum requirement is possession of a degree, then a copy of transcripts is required to be included with your application to verify the degree being awarded. If no transcripts are included or the transcript does not show a degree conferred AND degree conferred date, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements, the application may be screened as not meeting minimum requirements.
Should the minimum qualifications state "any combination equivalent to," then additional relevant work experience may substitute for education. In this case, please upload a document stating such in the Required Transcripts document field.
Degrees must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Council on Post-Secondary Accreditation and/or the U.S. Department of Education.
Candidates with degrees earned outside of the United States must provide official certification of equivalency to U. S. degrees by a certified U. S. credential review service, must have a U.S. evaluation (course by course of the transcripts) and must be submitted with this online application.
If you do not have an electronic version of the transcript, you can get it scanned at an office supply or copy store; then attach the electronic version of your transcript to this online application.
Copies of diplomas, grade reports, graduation petitions, transcript evaluations requests, or similar documents WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of transcripts.
When uploading transcripts, please ensure they are NOT encrypted, secured, or password-protected or they will be rejected by the system.

EQUIVALENCY INFORMATION:
Applicants applying under equivalency bear the responsibility of submitting the Districts Equivalency Application form with details and evidence of the factors (academic preparation and/or experience) that they believe to be equivalent of the required qualifications for this position. Application(s) for equivalency are required if degrees are not in exact discipline required.

The Equivalency Application is included in the online application as an OPTIONAL form to complete.

ONLY complete the Request for Equivalency application if degree does not match discipline(s) stated in the Minimum Qualifications.
List accurately and completely the courses taken that match requirements of the required degree.
Do NOT attach documents such as course evaluations.

For assistance, contact:
Office of Human Resources, Attn: Recruitment
14000 Fruitvale Ave, Saratoga, CA 95070
Phone: (408) 741-2174 Fax: (408) 741-2564
Email: Careers@wvm.edu

Selection Process:

SELECTION PROCESS INFORMATION:

After the deadline date, a committee will review and evaluate applications and supporting materials to select the applicants to be interviewed. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview.
All candidates will receive an e-notification to acknowledge receipt of their application materials. If not contacted within 3-6 weeks following the close of the recruitment, no suitable match was determined at this time.
Travel expenses to attend first-level interview are the responsibility of the candidate.
Application materials become the property of the District and will not be returned or duplicated.
The district may choose to re-advertise or indefinitely delay filling a position. Some positions may include first and second level interviews.
The district reserves the right to contact former, current, the most recent employers, and others to investigate past employment records of applicants.
Any tentative verbal offer of employment is contingent upon formal approval of the college Governing Board.
Upon hire the successful candidate must provide the required documents of identity and authorization to work and attest he/she is authorized to work in the United States.
The district does not provide visa sponsorship.

EEO STATEMENT:
West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ a diverse workforce who will contribute to an inclusive and welcoming educational and employment environment. The District is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, physical disability, mental disability, genetic information, ancestry, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, accent, citizenship status, transgender status, parental status, marital status, economic status, military or veteran status, and medical condition consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

Special Instructions to the Applicant:

Posting Number: FY22/23-316FT
Open Date: 01/14/2026
Close Date: 02/18/2026
Open Until Filled: No

For more information on this position and to apply, please visit our website at the following link: wvm.peopleadmin.com

West Valley-Mission Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.