Director, DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program (CRNA) - Samaritan Hospital : Job Details

The School of Nursing at the University at Buffalo (UBSON) is seeking the next Director of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program (DNP-PD) leading to licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthestist (CRNA). The University at Buffalo Program was founded in 1981 by Ira Gunn, CRNA, MLN, FAAN who was a US Army veteran and fierce advocate for nurse anesthetists and nurse anesthesia programs and who was named a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing in 2003.

As Program Director (DNP-PD) the primary role is to support the on-going education, research and service/practice missions of the UBSON program by providing leadership, oversight, and direction of the program operating in the School of Nursing. The CRNA DNP-PD helps to ensure that the standards and policies of the UBSON and accrediting agencies (COA/CCNE) are met in the DNP program. The CRNA DNP-PD works closely with the dean, assistant/associate deans, DNP committee, and faculty to teach and facilitate course offerings and student experiences. DNP-PDs report to the Assistant/Associate Dean for the DNP Program and lead in the tri-partite faculty mission of education, scholarship and service. This is a full-time faculty appointment (1.00 FTE), where 0.20 FTE of the appointment provides an administrative stipend as the program administrator.

The CRNA DNP-PD builds, maintains, and sustains a collaborative working environment with the school's faculty and with students enrolled in the CRNA/DNP programs. This includes implementing the new AACN Essentials (2021) into the curriculum for Level Two (APRN) students to meet CCNE accreditation standards (2024), and meet national (COA), state/agency (NYSED, Office of Professions), and SUNY educational and accreditation standards.

Additionally, the Council on Accreditation (COA) requires that the CRNA program administrator is full time and has current certification or recertification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Additionally, the CRNA Program Administrator has the authority to prepare and administer the program budget.

The CRNA/DNP-PD will continue to build and strengthen a core commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to prepare the leaders of tomorrow for service to their local, regional, state, national and global communities. The School of Nursing and the University at Buffalo aspire to become one of the top 25 public institutions in the nation.

The CRNA DNP-PD and other DNP-PD's work with the Office of Student Services, Simulation, and Interprofessional Education team, and the educational staff support team. DNP-PDs work with accreditation and professional licensing entities, Information Technology Services that manage computer/audiovisual technology and the testing vendor (ExamSoft), learning management system (Brightspace), clinical software (Typhon), exit surveys (Qualtrics) etc., to develop, expand and maintain CRNA/DNP program excellence. The DNP program directors also support the assistant/associate dean of DNP Programs to fulfill needs or provide reports, complete annual surveys/audits, evaluation of learning outcomes, student exit surveys, etc. to the offices and committees of the School of Nursing and the Graduate School of the University at Buffalo (UB).

Key Responsibilities:Provide inspired leadership to continuously evaluate and implement the strategic plan for their DNP track to ensure academic excellence and compliance with applicable accreditation and licensing requirements consistent with an R1 AAU research intensive university to achieve the tripartite mission focused on education, research and service/practice of the University at Buffalo.

Leadership and Supervision:

• Identifying programmatic needs related to faculty assignments, assuring appropriate educational, research, and practice/service goals.
• Work with leadership to identify adjunct faculty needs, hire, and evaluate adjunct faculty.
• Supervise faculty as assigned in their track.
• Serve as a resource for course faculty and students and communicate and serve as the first contact to resolve student and faculty issues in their track.
• Coordinate with the Clinical Coordinator to identify and secure the development of new clinical sites, maintain current clinical sites, and continuously evaluate clinical sites, and liaison with clinical partners.
• Create and monitor compliance with policies and procedures as needed.
• Monitor and report performance of students on certification examinations and collaborate with leadership to improve first time pass rates.
• Complete verifications, proof of program completion, including specifics of courses and clinical hours for alumni.
• Provide oversight to ensure faculty development/mentorship for faculty to advance in the development of their teaching, service, and scholarship.
• Maintain current certification in specialty and demonstrate knowledge of professional issues affecting clinical practice (community and workforce needs, changes in financial and clinical resources, state and federal regulatory requirements, accreditation requirements, scope of practice, educational environments, healthcare reimbursement, NY state legislation and New York state Department of Health guidelines/policies, and any technological advancements) that may influence the program and practice by engaging in professional development (this may be demonstrated by their attendance at professional meetings, active engagement in state and/or national professional associations, active participation on program and conducting institutions' committees, and scholarly activities).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Curriculum Oversight and Teaching:

• Develop, teach, and evaluate assigned courses, mentor students, develop simulation policies and practices, and conduct scholarly inquiry.
• Monitor activities for their track to assure the meeting of accreditation standards.
• Lead the development and maintenance of clinical practice sites and preceptors and direct the Clinical Coordinator in the student placement and evaluation process.
• Report to and assist the assistant/associate dean for the DNP programs in making teaching assignments and revising the curriculum as needed for the CRNA program.

Admissions and Scholarships/Progression:

• Meets as needed as part of the enrollment management team to recruit and retain excellent students with attention to achieving the goals of holistic enrollment to ensure that the SON provides an equitable and inclusive environment for diverse students, understanding that diversity encompasses a wide range of factors, including gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, veteran status, and other important factors (e.g., first generation attendance and economic security).
• Collaborate with Office of Student Services regarding DNP student recruitment, admission, and financial aid programs.
• Plan and provide welcome orientation and exit interviews for students in their program.
• Monitor student progression and support students and faculty in discussions about progression issues.
• Ensure successful and timely completion of DNP scholarly projects and dissemination of the same.

We are particularly looking for candidates who can operate effectively in a diverse community of students and faculty and share our vision of helping all constituents reach their full potential. We are committed to developing an excellent and diverse community of scholars and students engaged in education, research, and service. We encourage applications from women, members of historically marginalized groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

About UB School of NursingFounded in 1936, UB School of Nursing is a leader in high-quality nursing education and research in a dynamic university setting. Our mission continues our scholarly excellence as we educate clinical leaders, conduct impactful research, and deliver clinical care based upon principles of collaboration, equity, inclusion, and social justice for our region and the world. Our undergraduate programs prepare nurses for expanded professional roles in an increasingly complex and evolving health care environment, and our graduate and advanced certificate programs prepare clinicians, researchers, educators and leaders to provide complex care across settings, educate the next generation of nurses, and advance nursing and health care knowledge.

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Our benefits, where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

University at Buffalo is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and, in keeping with our commitment, welcomes all to apply including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Minimum qualifications:

• Earned doctorate in nursing with undergraduate/graduate degrees from regionally accredited colleges/universities.
• Registered nurse/APRN licensed (or license pending) to practice in the State of New York.
• Clinical experience as a CRNA and prior leadership experience in the advanced practice program role they lead.
• Evidence of a sustained and progressive record of academic leadership and scholarly productivity at the national level.
• CV consistent to hold the rank of Professor, Associate, or Assistant Professor at the University at Buffalo and academic credentials to be a member of the Graduate Faculty.
• Ability to organize, inspire, support, and build effective teams to advance the missions of the SON; listen and build consensus among varied constituents; promote innovation and manage change; respond to and manage difficult conversations to achieve outcomes and improve the School of Nursing.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with the Dean and SON leadership, faculty, staff, and students to advance UB's mission to become a top 25 public research university.
• Prior administrative, teaching, research and/or clinical practice experience involving the successful management of faculty, students and/or professional staff.
• Demonstrated experience leading in a complex organizational environment.

Preferred qualifications:

• Prior experience as a program coordinator or director in a graduate program.
• Experience developing and sustaining collaborative partnerships.