CRNA Program Director

Rockhurst-University; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Rockhurst University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences seeks an experienced CRNA to serve as founding Program Director for a jointly offered nurse anesthesia program. The role leads design, development and implementation, aligns curricula with COA standards, and pursues accreditation.

The successful candidate will build university partnerships, recruit faculty, and establish learning experiences for students and clinical sites.

Qualifications

• Current CRNA certification required.
• Doctorate degree required.
• Extensive knowledge of nurse anesthesia accreditation standards and processes.
• Proven experience in program design, curriculum development, and accreditation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop a COA-aligned nurse anesthesia curriculum and clinical training.
• Lead accreditation preparation and COA submissions; coordinate with Higher Learning Commission review.
• Identify facilities, technology, and resources to support the program.
• Recruit and onboard qualified faculty and staff; support coursework and clinical experiences.
• Establish metrics for program evaluation and continuous improvement to maintain accreditation.

Skills

CRNA

Doctorate

Accreditation standards

Program design

Curriculum development

Accreditation processes

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Doctorate

CRNA certification

Job description

Rockhurst University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences is seeking applicants for an experienced and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to join us as the founding Program Director. This individual will lead the design, development, and implementation of a jointly offered nurse anesthetist program. The Program Director will guide the university partnership to achieve accreditation and build infrastructure for a successful launch. The Program Director will leverage their expertise in nurse anesthesia education and accreditation standards to create a comprehensive, high-quality program that meets the needs of students, faculty, and stakeholders.Rockhurst is a welcoming and inclusive private Catholic, Jesuit institution with a strong mission aligned with the core values of nursing. The College of Nursing is in one of two academic schools housed in Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The College of Nursing is known for its innovative teaching using a broad range of active learning experiences, close faculty-student interactions, and our strong mission focused on service, advocacy, and leadership. The faculty have established close relationships with many community partners, enabling community-based service learning for students and clinical practice opportunities for students and faculty. Rockhurst nursing students often receive commendations for excellence in academics, professionalism, commitment to social justice, and leadership. Additional details about the Nursing Program are available on the program's website: https://www.rockhurst.edu/saint-lukes-college.Overall Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:Program Design and Development:Develop a curriculum for the nurse anesthetist program, aligning it with the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).Design coursework, clinical training requirements, and evaluation methods to ensure program excellence.Incorporate best practices in CRNA education and nurse anesthesia to create a rigorous and engaging program.Accreditation Preparation:Prepare and submit the documentation and applications to achieve program accreditation through the COA accrediting body.Coordinate planning with university administration to support review and approval by the Higher Learning Commission.Conduct a gap analysis of current resources and recommend solutions to meet accreditation requirements.Coordinate accreditation-related activities, ensuring compliance with all standards.Resource Development:Identify and recommend facilities, technology, and resources to support program operations.Assist in recruiting and onboarding qualified faculty and staff to deliver the program.Support faculty with the development of coursework and clinical experiences to achieve learning outcomes.Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement:Establish metrics and evaluation tools to assess program effectiveness and student outcomes.Provide recommendations for ongoing program improvements to maintain accreditation standards and ensure graduate success.Position Requirements:· Current certification as a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).· Earned doctorate.· Extensive knowledge of nurse anesthesia program accreditation standards and processes.· Proven experience in program design, curriculum development, and accreditation.· Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.Preferred Experience:· Prior experience consulting or leading new program development in higher education.· Familiarity with clinical site partnerships and clinical training program implementation.· Demonstrated success in achieving accreditation for a nurse anesthetist or healthcare-related program.Applicants should submit a cover letter with salary expectations and three professional references. Rockhurst cannot accept any application materials (resumes, cover letters, etc.) by email, mail, or walk-in. All applications and application materials must be submitted through our online application system.DISCLAIMER:The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.Rockhurst University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Rockhurst University is committed to creating a diverse working environment. The University recruits and employs successful candidates without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, and/or disability in employment, educational programs, or activities that it operates. In order to qualify as a candidate, you must be legally authorized to work in the United States. At this time Rockhurst is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa.