Director of the Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program

The Director of the Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program provides academic, educational, and administrative leadership for the Nurse Anesthesia program. This is a joint appointment between the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing and College of Medicine. The director ensures that the program meets accreditation standards from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The director is responsible for the overall administration and operations of the program, including curriculum development, clinical training oversight, faculty recruitment, and student mentorship. The director plays a vital role in shaping the program’s strategic initiatives, fostering best practices in teaching and clinical skills, and aligning with the mission and goals of the Colleges of Nursing and Medicine.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Provide overall leadership for the Nurse Anesthesia program, overseeing both academic and clinical components.

• Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Professional Graduate Nursing Programs and Chief Nurse Anesthetist, to ensure high-quality curriculum and instruction.

• Ensure program compliance with COA and CCNE accreditation standards and processes, preparing for accreditation reviews and managing ongoing assessment.

• Develop, implement, and monitor the Nurse Anesthesia program’s strategic goals and objectives.

• Manage program budgets and resource allocation, including personnel, clinical sites, and simulation resources.

• Lead recruitment efforts to attract and hire qualified faculty and staff to meet program needs.

• Maintain ongoing communication with clinical partners to ensure optimal student placements, supervision, and learning experiences.

• Engage in continuous quality improvement efforts for the program, including collecting and analyzing student outcomes and clinical data.

Student Responsibilities:

• Serve as a mentor and advisor for Nurse Anesthesia students, providing guidance on academic and clinical progress.

• Oversee the admissions process for Nurse Anesthesia students, including participating in interviews and selection.

• Ensure students receive appropriate clinical experience through collaboration with clinical sites and preceptors.

• Lead initiatives to enhance student success, including academic advising, remediation, and support services.

• Develop and lead clinical skills and simulation experiences that align with best practices and program learning outcomes.

• Foster an inclusive learning environment that supports diversity, equity, and student well-being.

Lines of Authority:

• This position reports directly to the Assistant Dean for the Professional Graduate Nursing Program in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, serving as the primary administrative and operational leader under their guidance. Additionally, the position maintains a secondary reporting relationship with the Chief Nurse Anesthetist, Department of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine in the College of Medicine, collaborating closely to support the delivery of a high-quality curriculum and instruction.

• Supervise faculty and staff in the Nurse Anesthesia program.

• Collaborate with the recruitment and admissions team for student enrollment.

• Serve on committees essential to the DNP-NA program, Nese College of Nursing, and College of Medicine.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, or EdD) from an accredited institution.

• Current certification/recertification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA).

• Basic Life Support (BLS) / Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification.

• Minimum of three years of experience as a CRNA.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and assess nurse anesthesia curriculum.

• Commitment to advocacy for the profession of nurse anesthesia.

• Experience with simulation in clinical training or educational settings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of two years of teaching experience in a nurse anesthesia program.

• Experience in nurse anesthesia program administration, including accreditation management.

• Certification in Simulation.

• A defined program of scholarship with evidence of research, publications, or grants.

• Proven leadership and experience in strategic planning, student mentorship, and clinical coordination.

Additional Information

This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the Director of Nurse Anesthesia Program’s position. It is not exhaustive and subject to change or reallocation of responsibilities based on the College’s needs. This is a term appointment, funded for one year from date of hire, with an excellent possibility of refunding.

The Office for Diversity and Inclusion’s mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s students, faculty, and staff. We are committed to promoting the essential values of diversity, equity, and inclusion through services, outreach, and consultation. The office works with constituents, both internal and external, to fulfill the mission and build a culture that celebrates diversity.