Founding Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program

High Point University in High Point, North Carolina is pleased to announce plans to establish a Nurse Anesthesia Program and invites applications and nominations for its Founding Director. The program is scheduled to begin in fall of 2024 and will be housed in the Department of Nursing within the Congdon School of Health Sciences. The mission of the program will be to provide comprehensive, state-of-the-art training in anesthesia administration for its students to practice as nurse anesthetists, who are licensed as certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) by the NBCRNA for a broad scope of anesthesia practice.

The Founding Director of the Nurse Anesthesia Program will play a significant role in the strategic planning of the curriculum, mission and outcomes of the program, and in ensuring that they are aligned with those of the Congdon School of Health Sciences and the University; in seeking accreditation with the Council on Accreditation (COA) for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs; in the hiring and management of exceptional, student-focused faculty and staff; in collaborating with admissions on the marketing of the program and recruitment of students; and in providing academic, educational and administrative leadership for the program.

The Founding Director reports to the Chair of the Department of Nursing. As a member of the University’s administrative team, the Director has a role in University-wide leadership.

High Point University is committed to excellence. We encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

• Proven track record in obtaining and maintaining COA accreditation
• Exceptional organizational, interpersonal, collaborative, team building, and communication skills (written and oral)
• Graduate preparation in the basic and clinical sciences relevant to nurse anesthesia practice
• Licensed to practice as an RN in North Carolina or multi-state licensure
• Ability to effectively manage all fiscal aspects of the program
• Minimum of three to five years of academic program administration in an educational program of anesthesia with higher education teaching experience
• Doctoral degree (DNP or equivalent) from an accredited Nursing Anesthesia Program
• Minimum of three to five years of leadership experience in higher education and clinical experience as a practicing CRNA
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and multiculturalism
• Experientially qualified as an APRN - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) licensure by the NBCRNA
• Current knowledge of CRNA practice and related professional issues
• Formal training in curriculum, instruction, and evaluation
• Willingness to embrace working in an interdisciplinary atmosphere
• Demonstrated track record of teaching excellence (academic and clinical) and scholarly productivity commensurate with a lead academic officer in a School

• Takes the lead with accreditation of the program by COA and nursing degree accreditor (CCNE)
• Identifies clinical cites that provide exceptional experiences that allow students to build on foundational clinical skills
• Regularly reviews and evaluates the curriculum for appropriate rigor and breadth
• Provides curricular leadership by initiating, sustaining, delivering, and/or modifying the curriculum in accordance with COA accreditation standards for the program, school, and University; and University-wide strategic planning goals
• Fosters the development and delivery of “best practices” both with respect to technology and pedagogy

• Prepares annual performance reviews for all faculty and staff
• Ensures that Faculty Mentors are performing to the University’s standards of quality and integrity
• Ensures that faculty and staff are informed of COA accreditation standards and organizational and educational policies that affect the delivery of educational services and operations of the program
• Directs and coordinates activities of Faculty Mentors, academic advisors, and departmental staff to ensure timely delivery of quality services
• Ensures documented program and course assessment through development of learning objectives, identification of appropriate teaching strategies, and collection of data and feedback to ensure academic excellence, integrity of the program, and alignment with COA standards
• Mentors and oversees faculty growth and professional development
• Establishes Faculty Mentor course assignments; monitors and evaluates Faculty Mentor performance; and establishes levels of compensation based on University policy
• Develops and executes long-range staffing plans (for faculty and support staff) that are aligned with program delivery, enrollment, and projected enrollment

• Teaches graduate level courses in the anesthesia program
• Prepares letters of reference for learners
• Mediates between students and faculty in legal and appropriate ways. Facilitates the resolution of disagreement or conflict between faculty and students
• Advises students on residency and professional options within anesthesia practice
• Develops and expands appropriate alumni and community relationships

• Provides the necessary leadership to advance the education mission of the University and the school and promotes a climate that is responsive, focused, and innovative
• Performs other assignments on an ad hoc basis, as required
• Actively participates in marketing of the program and represents the school and university to prospective students, professional organizations, potential future employers for students, and any other relevant constituencies
• Keeps current on trends in higher education and pursues opportunities for improvement within the APRN-CRNA field
• Advises the Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and the President on academic matters
• Is fiscally responsible
• Contributes to the scholarly body of knowledge in APRN or nurse anesthetist education and practice through research and scholarly publications
• Maintains and enhances the already excellent reputation of the school and University

• Reports directly to the Chair of the School of Nursing.