Accreditation Specialist

Accreditation Specialist

As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks an Accreditation and Assessment Specialist for the Leighton School of Nursing (LSON) to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity by coordinating accreditation processes, managing institutional data, and supporting academic partnerships that advance program quality and student success. This position is responsible for coordinating data tracking and reporting for accreditation and assessment purposes, collaborating with LSON and Marian University leadership to collect and disseminate data aligned with the school's assessment plan, and preparing reports for accreditation and state board approvals across all LSON locations. The Specialist also supports the initiation, development, and management of affiliation agreements in partnership with legal counsel and university leadership. This is a 12-month position with some on campus responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values and honoring the legacy of the founding congregation through transformative education, unity in diversity, leadership through service, integrating faith and life, and institutional policies.
• Captures, tracks, and prepares reports for all accreditation data used in the University and Leighton School of Nursing.
• Maintains, communicates and supports all LSON assessment and action planning to LSON Deans, faculty, and appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintains and communicates the accreditation schedule to the LSON Deans to ensure reporting in a timely manner.
• Identifies when action plans or substantive changes are needed and completes documentation with the support of the appropriate Dean or Director.
• Tracks, prepares and manages University (i.e. HLC, IAC), nursing and specialty accreditations (i.e. CCNE, COA) along with all State Board of Nursing standards reports for all locations (multiple states with multiple sets of standards)
• Manages and monitors the collection of student and faculty surveys
• Coordinates the development, renewal, and tracking of all clinical affiliation agreements for all LSON programs
• Monitors agreement expiration dates and proactively initiates renewals to prevent lapses in clinical access
• Serves as the primary liaison between the School of Nursing, legal counsel, and clinical partners regarding affiliation agreements
• Maintains regular communication with clinical partners to support positive, collaborative relationships
• Performs initial outreach and affiliation agreement execution for new clinical partners
• Ensures affiliation agreements align with University policies, regulatory requirements, accreditation, and state standards
• Maintains accurate and organized records of all affiliation agreements, amendments, and related documentation
• Assists with preparation for accreditation reviews by providing documentation related to clinical partnerships
• Works closely with clinical outreach coordinators and program leadership to align agreements with clinical placement needs
• Communicates to LSON leaders in a timely manner all changes or updates in agreement status that may impact clinical scheduling
• Other duties may be assigned

University Expectations:

• Knowledge of and commitment to the mission of Marian University
• Adheres to Marian University's policy and procedures
• Shows courtesy and respect in interactions with fellow employees, students subordinates, and supervisors
• Communicates regularly with supervisor about department issues
• Meets department productivity standards
• Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems
• Assists to establish department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the University's strategic goals
• Adheres to the department budget

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is required. Master's degree in nursing or another related field is preferred.
• Experience in accreditation of programs preferred.

For Consideration All Applications Require:

1. Cover Letter
2. Current resume or CV
3. Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile.
4. Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions.

Please Review Marian University's Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application:

Essential Functions: Work hours necessary to perform job requirements satisfactorily on a regular basis. Manage absence from work in responsible manner to ensure service to clients, work teams, and coworkers. Comply with Marian University policies and practices and seeking clarification of them when necessary.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use their hands to handle or feel objects, equipment, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with their hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Limitations and Disclaimer: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and States Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.