Behavioral Health/Psychiatric Nursing - Adjunct Faculty

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 1,682,049 - 1,782,614; Part time

Job summary

Oakton College seeks a part-time faculty member in Des Plaines, Illinois, to educate students in a vibrant environment. Candidates should hold an MSN degree with recent psychiatric nursing experience, and ideally possess teaching experience.

The position emphasizes innovative teaching and cultural competence, with responsibilities including syllabus construction and student evaluation. Oakton College values commitment to professional development and effective communication skills.

Qualifications

• Strong communicators and effective classroom facilitators.
• Current with evolving technologies and able to promote critical thinking.
• Commitment to culturally competent teaching.

Responsibilities

• Construct and deliver course syllabus and presentations.
• Lead instruction and consultation with students.
• Maintain clear records of student performance.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Effective classroom facilitation

Culturally competent

Education

MSN with recent Behavior Health/Psychiatric nursing experience

Job description

Job Description

Part‑time faculty are paid on a lecture hour equivalents (LHE) basis. For most courses, the LHE is the same as a credit hour. For others, the LHE represents additional work for teaching the class, such as grading papers for Composition classes or teaching a class with a laboratory section (computers, languages, and the sciences); in those cases, the LHE represents a figure higher than the credit hour. All part‑time faculty start at the beginning pay rates, regardless of the level and type of experience obtained elsewhere. For the 2025‑26 academic year rates are $1221/LHE for faculty without doctorates and $1294/LHE for faculty with doctorates.

Part‑time faculty advance one step within the salary schedule with the successful completion of 2 fall & spring semesters where 3+ LHEs are taught in each semester.

Part‑time faculty are hired on a semester‑by‑semester basis. A reasonable effort is made to assure the assignment of courses to more senior part‑time faculty who are fully qualified by virtue of their education, training, work experience as related to current technology and pedagogical techniques, and who have had a history of successful performance at Oakton College.

All assignments are conditioned on sufficient enrollment. Once a course starts, the part time faculty member is expected to complete the course.

Essential Functions of the Position

• Construction of a course syllabus, consistent with the generic course syllabus that stipulates course objectives, content, and grading criteria.
• Preparation of course presentations and instructional materials for lecture, and laboratory and clinical functions (as appropriate).
• Delivery of instruction, including being prepared for and meeting courses and laboratories (if appropriate) at scheduled times.
• Consultation with and evaluation of students.
• Maintenance of clear records on student performance, as well as any other factors such as attendance involved with the grading of students.
• Compliance with departmental and institutional policies and procedures including but not limited to submission of midterm and final grades, keeping office hours, and decisions regarding instructional matters such as texts, assignments, and grading standards; also adhering to provisions of the OCCFA contract.
• Compliance with institutional procedures.

Requirements

• MSN with recent Behavior Health/Psychiatric nursing experience in a hospital setting within the past 2 years.
• Teaching experience preferred.

Additional Qualifications

Applicants must be strong communicators and effective classroom facilitators who enjoy teaching in a student‑centered environment. Oakton especially values candidates committed to working in a culturally competent environment. Cultural competence integrates and transforms knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, policies, practices, and attitudes used in appropriate cultural settings to increase the quality of services.

Applicants should be current and skilled in their use of evolving technologies, active in promoting critical thinking, and committed to challenging our students to be knowledgeable, ethical, and capable global citizens. Oakton seeks enthusiastic faculty who are committed to innovation in college‑level teaching and learning and interested in non‑traditional delivery of instruction. The College expects faculty to be professionally competent, have strong leadership qualities, participate in professional development activities, and engage in institutional and departmental service.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Oakton College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.