Assistant Director and Faculty

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Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

Position Summary

The Assistant Director of the Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program provides academic, clinical, and administrative support to the Program Director in the leadership and management of this collaborative program between the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing and the College of Medicine. This faculty leadership role ensures accreditation compliance, high-quality academic and clinical instruction, and student success. The Assistant Director assumes delegated responsibilities in the Director’s absence and collaborates across academic, clinical, and administrative domains to support program development, curriculum delivery, and student outcomes.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Director in administrative duties, including accreditation documentation, internal and external reporting, and quality assurance processes.

• Serve as acting program lead in the absence of the Program Director.

• Serve on the DNP-NA Curriculum Committee and contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement.

• Collaborate with administrative offices to manage and maintain clinical affiliation agreements in compliance with educational and accreditation standards.

• Serve on admissions committees and participate in recruitment, application review, and candidate interviews.

Teaching, Clinical, and Scholarly Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Program Director to ensure initial and continuing compliance with COA and CCNE accreditation standards.

• Oversee and manage clinical curriculum components including clinical site placement, case logs, learner evaluations, and clinical site coordination.

• Deliver instruction in nurse anesthesia didactic and clinical coursework, including advanced simulation experiences.

• Design, implement, and evaluate simulation-based learning activities for skill acquisition, competency-based assessment, and student remediation.

• Coordinate remediation planning and support in partnership with the Student Success Center Coordinator.

• Support students’ engagement in DNP scholarly projects, evidence-based practice initiatives, and dissemination activities.

• Assist in the preparation of students’ publications and professional presentations.

• Actively engage in clinical practice at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center as part of the joint appointment with Penn State College of Medicine

Student Support and Learning Environment

• Provide academic mentorship and clinical guidance to Nurse Anesthesia students.

• Foster a learning environment that supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and well-being for all students.

• Promote academic excellence and professionalism through supportive advising and competency-based assessment.

• Work closely with faculty and preceptors to optimize clinical experiences.

Lines of Authority

• Reports to the Director of the Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program.

• Collaborates with faculty and staff within the DNP-NA program, the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, and the College of Medicine.

• Supports communication and collaboration with clinical sites and simulation resources.

• Serves on committees relevant to program operations, curriculum, admissions, and accreditation.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or DNP) in Nursing from an accredited institution.

2. Currently licensed as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania or eligible for licensure through the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.

3. Current certification/recertification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) by the NBCRNA.

4. Current certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

5. Minimum of three years of experience as a practicing CRNA.

6. Lecturer or Instructor - A lecturer or instructor should possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent, or be an active candidate for a terminal degree, in an academic field related to their teaching specialization.

7. Assistant Teaching Professor - The assistant teaching professor should possess a terminal degree or its equivalent in an academic field related to his/her teaching specialization; alternatively, the assistant teaching professor without a terminal degree should possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent in an academic field related to their teaching specialization; must have demonstrated ability as a teacher and adviser; and must have shown evidence of professional growth, scholarship, and/or mastery of subject matter.  

8. Associate Teaching Professor - The associate teaching professor should possess a terminal degree in an academic field related to their teaching specialization; must have demonstrated ability as a teacher and adviser; and must have shown evidence of professional growth, scholarship, and/or mastery of subject matter. Alternatively, the associate teaching professor without a terminal degree should possess at least a master's degree or its equivalent in an academic field related to their teaching specialization; must have demonstrated exceptional ability as a teacher and adviser while in the rank of senior lecturer or instructor; and must have shown evidence of professional growth, scholarship, and/or mastery of subject matter at a level of distinction beyond that of the assistant teaching professor.  

9. Teaching Professor - The teaching professor should possess a terminal degree in an academic field related to their teaching specialization; must have demonstrated exceptional ability as a teacher and adviser while in the rank of associate teaching professor; and must have shown evidence of professional growth, scholarship, and/or mastery of subject matter at a level of distinction beyond that of the associate teaching professor. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in a nurse anesthesia or higher education program.

• Academic administrative or leadership experience in a nurse anesthesia educational setting.

• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing simulation-based learning in anesthesia or nursing education.

• Familiarity with curriculum development and COA/CCNE accreditation processes.

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic and clinical environments.

Additional Information

This job description reflects key responsibilities and qualifications for the Assistant Director of the Nurse Anesthesia (DNP-NA) Program. It is not exhaustive and may evolve to meet the program and institutional needs. This is a two-year term appointment with renewal contingent on funding and programmatic needs.

Penn State is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing and the College of Medicine embrace diversity as a core value and seek faculty and staff who will contribute to the university’s efforts to promote equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Application Process:

To apply, candidates must submit the following. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position

• A current curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references (No references will be contacted until the candidate is consulted).

Applicants must submit their application and accompanying materials online at the PSU job site (https://hr.psu.edu/careers). Review of applications will begin on June 15, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Information on the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing and its programs can be found at http://www.nursing.psu.edu/.

For more information or questions about this position, please contact:

Dr. Vinciya Pandian, search committee chair

Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing

201 Nursing Sciences Building

University Park, PA 16802

E-mail (preferred): vpandian @psu.edu

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

This position requires the following clearances in addition to applicable background checks: PA State Police Criminal Background Check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form, and Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check. Due to the financial and fiduciary responsibilities of this position, successful completion of a credit history check will be required in addition to standard background checks.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional wellbeing. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children.

For more detailed information, please visit ourBenefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging in all its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports both broad and specific equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

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