Director, Clinical Alignment CRNA

The University of Kansas Health System; United States; On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City, KS, seeks a Director, Clinical Alignment CRNA for Olathe Hospital to lead clinical practice and perioperative operations. The role combines expert CRNA leadership with staff development and regulatory oversight to advance patient care.

The position partners with the Chief CRNA and hospital leadership to ensure safe, efficient anesthesia services and continuous improvement across departments.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in nursing or related field.
• CRNA certification and Kansas license.
• ACLS & BLS certifications required.
• Experience in anesthesia leadership or perioperative leadership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as clinical expert and resource for CRNAs on anesthesia practice and complex cases.
• Oversee daily clinical operations, staffing, and workflow in perioperative services.
• Lead quality initiatives, regulatory readiness, and safety event reviews.
• Coordinate CRNA orientation, mentorship, and competency validation.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Staff development

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in Nursing

CRNA Certification

Job description

Position Title

Director, Clinical Alignment CRNA Olathe Hospital

Position Summary / Career Interest

The Clinical Alignment Program Director serves in a dual clinical and administrative leadership role supporting CRNA practice and departmental operations. This position acts as a clinical expert and trusted resource for CRNAs on complex clinical situations, evidence-based anesthesia practice, and departmental standards, while providing a visible leadership presence in the perioperative environment.

The Director partners with the Chief CRNA, Operations Manager, and Lead CRNAs to oversee daily clinical operations, staffing, and workflow, and plays a key role in quality and regulatory compliance, including safety event review, Joint Commission readiness, and controlled substance diversion monitoring.

The role also leads staff development efforts — coordinating CRNA orientation, mentorship, and competency validation, as well as SRNA program liaison duties — and supports recruitment, workforce retention, and performance management activities in collaboration with the Chief CRNA.

The Clinical Alignment Program Director serves as a representative of CRNA leadership on interdisciplinary committees and works closely with physician, nursing, pharmacy, and perioperative leadership to advance patient care, operational efficiency, and a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

Serve as a clinical expert and trusted resource for CRNAs regarding anesthesia practice, evidence-based care, and complex clinical situations.

Maintain current knowledge of departmental standards, health system policies, anesthesia practice guidelines, regulatory requirements, and national best practices.

Promote clinical excellence by supporting standardization of care, adherence to evidence-based practice, and continuous quality improvement.

Participate in the development, implementation, communication, and follow-up of departmental initiatives, clinical protocols, and organizational priorities.

Serve as a clinical champion for implementation of new clinical equipment, technology, documentation processes, and workflow improvements.

Review Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) metrics and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to improve compliance, patient outcomes, and staff education.

Identify opportunities to improve clinical practice, patient safety, efficiency, and provider engagement.

Serve as a visible leadership presence in the perioperative environment to provide real‑time clinical support and decision‑making.

Support daily clinical operations to ensure efficient patient flow and high-quality anesthesia services.

Oversee clinical workflows and operational processes while promoting teamwork, accountability, and service excellence.

Partner with Lead CRNAs to address operational challenges, staffing concerns, patient flow, and daily clinical priorities.

Troubleshoot clinical and operational issues in real time, providing timely resolution or escalation when appropriate.

Collaborate with the Operations Manager to support staffing plans, scheduling needs, and operational continuity.

Assist in maintaining appropriate clinical coverage during periods of staffing shortages or operational changes.

Escalate significant operational, staffing, or patient safety concerns to the Chief CRNA and other appropriate leaders.

Review Safety Intelligence (SI) reports and ensure appropriate investigation, documentation, follow‑up, and communication.

Collaborate with the Quality and Patient Safety Physician, Risk Management, and Quality departments on patient safety initiatives.

Support departmental readiness for Joint Commission surveys and other regulatory or accreditation requirements.

Assist with development, implementation, and monitoring of quality improvement initiatives.

Collaborate with the Chief CRNA and Pharmacy Department in reviewing Protenus alerts and other diversion detection software investigations to ensure compliance with medication security and controlled substance policies; provide follow‑up re‑education as needed.

Identify opportunities to improve patient safety, quality outcomes, workflow efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

Promote a culture of safety, accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Coordinate clinical assignments for new CRNAs in accordance with established orientation plans; delegate orientation duties to other members of the leadership team as needed.

Lead departmental orientation and establish expectations for newly hired CRNAs.

Coordinate and assign mentors through the CRNA mentorship program to facilitate successful onboarding.

Monitor orientation progress and collaborate with preceptors and leadership to ensure successful transition into independent practice.

Facilitate monthly Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNA) orientation and serve as liaison to the SRNA program.

Support ongoing clinical education, competency validation, and implementation of new clinical practices.

Lead initiatives to ensure CRNA competency is completed for glucometers and iSTAT (night team).

Serve as the School of Health Professions (SHP) liaison, fostering relationships with students, faculty, and academic partners.

Participate in recruitment event planning, candidate outreach, interviews of potential candidates, and attend recruitment events.

Evaluate locum CRNA candidates and provide recommendations regarding clinical competency.

Participate in employee recognition and appreciation activities that strengthen departmental culture and retention.

Collaborate with the Chief CRNA and department leadership regarding opportunities to improve the compensation package, and opportunities to retain and recruit CRNAs.

Collaborate with the Chief CRNA in completion of annual CRNA performance evaluations.

Complete Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE) and other competency assessment processes.

Provide coaching, mentoring, and constructive feedback to support employee development and performance improvement.

Collaborate with the Chief CRNA regarding employee counseling, corrective action, performance improvement plans, and educational interventions as appropriate.

Support recognition of employee accomplishments.

Lead and assist in developing agendas and educational content for monthly CRNA department meetings.

Communicate departmental priorities, organizational initiatives, policy updates, and operational changes effectively to staff.

Identify opportunities for operational, clinical, and quality improvement and communicate recommendations to the Chief CRNA.

Collaborate with physician leadership, nursing leadership, perioperative leadership, and pharmacy to improve patient care and operational efficiency.

Facilitate respectful conflict resolution among interdisciplinary team members while promoting collaboration and a positive work environment.

Serve as a representative of CRNA leadership on interdisciplinary committees and organizational workgroups, potentially including but not limited to:

• Clinical Practice Committee (CPC)
• Patient Safety Committee
• Quality Improvement Committees
• Administrator on Call (AOC)

Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.

These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

Master Degree Nursing 4 or more years experience as a CRNA

Required Licensure and Certification

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

State Board of Nursing Current license in good standing to practice as a CRNA in the state of Kansas

Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) American Heart Association (AHA)

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS or BCLS) American Heart Association (AHA)

Maintain appropriate continuing education credits for CRNA recertification as defined by the AANA and the Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists

Knowledge Requirements

Proficient in the use of computing hardware and software, including personal computing equipment, electronic medical record, word processing, and spreadsheet software.

Demonstrated ability to satisfy standards of performance delineated by law and associated professional practice standards.

Demonstrated reliability, integrity, and honesty.

Time Type: Full time

Important information for you to know as you apply

The health system is an equal employment opportunity employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally‑protected status.

See also Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The health system provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need to request reasonable accommodations for your disability as you navigate the recruitment process, please let our recruiters know by requesting an Accommodation Request form using this link [e-mail].

Employment with the health system is contingent upon, among other things, agreeing to the health-system-dispute-resolution-program.pdf and signing the agreement to the DRP.

About The University of Kansas Health System

As part of the region’s premier academic medical center, The University of Kansas Health System in Kansas City is a world‑class healthcare provider and destination for complex care and diagnosis. We are driven by our commitment to service, continuous improvement and to the highest degree of excellence. Collaboration between physicians, nurses, researchers, educators and other professionals who share their expertise leads to exciting discoveries and life‑changing treatments for the people we serve.