Assistant/Associate/Professor in the School of Physical Therapy at PNWU (non-tenure, open rank)

Description

Recruitment Period: 12/12/2025- Until Filled

Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week)

Salary Information:

Assistant Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$91,700-Annual Maximum Salary-$154,000

Associate Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$105,400-Annual Maximum Salary-$177,100

Professor: Annual Minimum Salary-$121,300-Annual Maximum Salary-$203,700

Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) does not sponsor employment visas. All candidates selected for hire must provide valid documentation verifying their eligibility to work in the United States.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University has five health profession programs, including Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Arts in Medical Science, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, and Doctor of Dental Medicine, with one mission: to educate and train healthcare professionals emphasizing service among rural and medically underserved communities throughout the Northwest.  The campus continues to expand supporting all of the new programs. It is truly an excellent time to work for PNWU!

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south-central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

The PNWU School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) invites applications for open Assistant/Associate/Professor positions in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. The program seeks contemporary practice expertise and teaching experience in pediatrics/lifespan and neurological physical therapy. Other areas of contemporary expertise will also be considered.

Additional responsibilities will include participating in ongoing curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation; teaching assigned courses; advising and mentoring students; establishing and maintaining a record of research and scholarly activity; providing community service; and participating in program and university committees as appropriate. 

What We Offer

· Opportunities to mentor students in one of two established rural community clinics

· An on-campus applied movement science lab used for patient care and as part of integrated clinical education experiences

· A collaborative environment with opportunities for curriculum development, innovative teaching strategies, service learning, interprofessional collaboration, and contribution to the ongoing evolution of a mission-centric program

· Support for development or maintenance of a research agenda

· Inpatient and outpatient simulation center for simulation-based teaching and learning, including a hospital ward and outpatient medicine rooms

· Thousands of square feet of dedicated learning/lab space

· Active participation in university service, community outreach, student advising, and committee work

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

· Earned doctoral degree awarded by an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE)

· Minimum 3 years of clinical experience as a licensed physical therapist

· Demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring in the classroom or clinical setting

· Commitment to fostering a culture of belonging, mutual respect, and team building

· Licensed or eligible for physical therapy licensure in Washington State

Preferred Qualifications:

· A terminal doctoral degree (post-professional doctorate, or DPT) with evidence of other professional qualifications (i.e. ABPTS or other specialty certification, or additional degree)

· Candidates with pediatric experience are strongly encouraged to apply 

· Academic doctorate degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., D.Sc.) preferred

· Active, developing, or potential research agenda

· 3 years of experience in PT education preferred

· Experience with simulation-based education preferred

· Demonstration of interprofessional collaboration in academic or clinical settings

· Advanced training, teaching, and scholarly activity in area of clinical expertise

· Active engagement in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and community/professional service

PNWU School of Physical Therapy

Our 8-semester, residential DPT program was fully accredited in May 2025 and is rooted in a mission to develop generalist physical therapists who deliver evidence-informed, compassionate, and quality care. Faculty and students are deeply engaged in the university’s vision to revolutionize community health through service, collaboration, innovation, and community impact.

Students and faculty are involved in clinical education experiences throughout the region during seven of eight academic semesters. The School of Physical Therapy (SOPT) has established PT clinics at the Yakima Union Gospel Mission and the Yakima Neighborhood Health clinic, both federally qualified clinics that support the city's most vulnerable populations. 

The SOPT also houses an on-campus lab – the Center for Applied Movement Science (CAMS) - designed for faculty/student research, integrated clinical experiences, and patient care using state-of-the-art equipment. The CAMS lab has the following resources for teaching and research: 

• Bioness Vector Gait and Support System dynamic body weight support with 25-foot track
• Bertec Computerized Dynamic Posturography/Immersive Virtual Reality (CDP/IVR) System for balance assessment and training
• MediTouch BalanceTutorTM perturbation treadmill with medial/lateral and forward/backward perturbation capability with force plate, IMUs, and interactive balance gaming
• Protokinetics ZenoTM Walkway 26-foot gait analysis system
• Noraxon myoMOTIONTM Ultium 3D IMU portable motion capture system with video and EMG sync capability
• Noraxon myoMUSCLETM Ultium wireless electromyography (EMG) system with internal IMUs
• Bioness L300Go Plus functional electrical stimulation for foot drop and thigh weakness
• Bertec Vision Advantage (BVA) vestibular ocular reflex and gaze stability testing
• Bertec COBALTTM concussion screening/management and athlete balance system
• MicroMedical RealEyesTM 505 Video Frenzel goggle system
• Mobility Research LiteGait® with Smart BiSymTM automatic body weight support adjustment, GaitKeeperTM Treadmill with GaitSensTM gait analysis system
• BTE PrimusRS multiple resistance (Isotonic, Isometric, Isokinetic, CPM) rehabilitation system
• Meta Quest 3S Virtual Reality (VR) System

Yakima, Washington is also home to the Children's Village, a comprehensive, family-centered facility providing over 30 integrated health, therapy, and support services. Pediatric physical therapists are a key part of this interdisciplinary team, serving children with a wide range of special healthcare and developmental needs throughout Central Washington.

Visit our website at https://www.pnwu.edu/academics/school-of-physical-therapy/

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

• Detailed curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description, but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

Applications received prior to March 1, 2026 are preferred.

Benefit Package (benefit eligible is at least .5 FTE):

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

If you have specific questions regarding the SOPT, feel free to contact the search committee chair, Dr. Rachael Arabian (rarabian@pnwu.edu).

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.