Program Director - Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesia

Job Description

Job Description

Program Director – Doctor of Nursing Practice in Anesthesia
Location : Fargo, ND
Employment Type : Full-time, 12-month faculty position
Application Deadline : Open until filled
FLSA Status : Exempt

The University of Jamestown is expanding its commitment to healthcare education, workforce development, and improved access to healthcare throughout North Dakota and seeks a passionate, innovative, and experienced leader to serve as the Founding Program Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia Program .

This person will be responsible for the development, implementation, accreditation, and leadership of a new Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP or DNP-NA) program, supporting health professions of rural North Dakota.  The program is being developed in response to the growing need for highly qualified anesthesia providers and will place particular emphasis on strengthening the healthcare workforce serving rural and medically underserved communities in North Dakota.

The Program Director will play a critical role in shaping the program’s vision, curriculum, faculty model, clinical partnerships, and long-term sustainability. This is a unique opportunity to build a high-quality, student-centered program aligned with national standards and regional workforce needs. A key priority will be establishing strong relationships with healthcare systems, hospitals, Critical Access Hospitals, anesthesia providers, and other healthcare partners throughout North Dakota to create educational and clinical pathways that support the recruitment, preparation, and retention of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). 

About the University of Jamestown :
The University of Jamestown is expanding their portfolio of health profession programs to meet critical workforce needs. The Nurse Anesthesia Program will be a flagship offering, designed to prepare highly skilled CRNAs to support rural and urban communities across North Dakota.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Development & Leadership
  • Lead the design, development, and launch of a new nurse anesthesia doctoral program
  • Establish program mission, goals, and outcomes aligned with university and industry needs
  • Develop policies, procedures, and student handbooks
  • Create and manage program budgets, including resource allocation and financial planning
  • Serve as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the program internally and externally.
• Accreditation & Compliance
  • Lead the program through the accreditation process with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
  • Ensure compliance with all accreditation standards and regulatory requirements
  • Prepare and submit all required reports, self-studies, and documentation
  • Maintain ongoing accreditation status post-launch.
• Curriculum Development
  • Design a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum that meets COA standards
  • Integrate didactic, simulation, and clinical education components
  • Ensure alignment with doctoral-level competencies and outcomes
  • Incorporate emerging trends in anesthesia practice, patient safety, and technology
• Faculty Recruitment & Management
  • Recruit, hire, and onboard qualified faculty and adjunct instructors
  • Establish faculty workload models and performance expectations
  • Provide mentorship, evaluation, and professional development opportunities
  • Foster a collaborative and inclusive academic environment
• Clinical Partnership Development
  • Develop and maintain clinical affiliation agreements with healthcare systems and anesthesia groups
  • Ensure adequate, diverse, and high-quality clinical experiences for students
  • Collaborate with clinical partners to support student learning and program growth

Required Qualifications :

• Doctoral degree (DNP, DNAP, PhD, or equivalent)
• Current certification as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Eligibility for RN and APRN licensure in North Dakota
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical experience as a CRNA
• Minimum of 2–3 years of academic experience in nurse anesthesia education
• Demonstrated knowledge of COA accreditation standards and processes
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications :

• Prior experience in program development, leadership, or accreditation
• Experience as a program director, assistant director, or clinical coordinator
• Established professional network within anesthesia and healthcare systems
• Record of scholarship, grant activity, or professional presentations

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Full benefits package including health, retirement, and tuition benefits
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• Professional development and continuing education support

Application Process :
Provide a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references.  Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Equal Opportunity Employer :
The University of Jamestown is an AA/EO employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of color, race, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, or public assistance, in accordance with applicable laws. Sexual harassment, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a type of sex discrimination. The University will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination, and any such conduct is prohibited. The University also prohibits any form of discipline or retaliation for reporting incidents of discrimination.

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