Assistant or Associate Professor Nurse Anesthesia

Position Summary

This is a fulltime faculty position as an assistant/associate professor in the nurse anesthesia program at University of Detroit Mercy. The candidate will also assume the associate director responsibilities and the oversite of the grand rapids site. As a site director the candidate will lead academic and operational aspects of the DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program at the Grand Rapids site. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the candidate will provide strategic leadership for site development, clinical growth, faculty coordination, and student support while fulfilling all responsibilities of a full-time faculty member.

The Site Director plays a central role in expanding the program’s regional presence, strengthening clinical partnerships, mentoring students, and advancing scholarship and service aligned with the University mission.

Faculty are encouraged to maintain clinical practice to ensure ongoing expertise and professional engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Site Leadership & Development (Grand Rapids)

• Serve as the lead faculty member and administrative representative for the Grand Rapids site.
• Oversee daily operations and management of the Grand Rapids facility.
• Build and develop a cohesive Grand Rapids faculty and preceptor team.
• Recruit, develop, and strengthen clinical partnerships in the region.
• Expand clinical sites with emphasis on high-quality placements and underserved areas (HPSA, MUA, rural).
• Ensure clinical site quality meets or exceeds program standards.
• Collaborate with program leadership to align site operations with accreditation and institutional requirements.

2. Teaching & Academic Responsibilities

• Teach didactic, clinical, and/or simulation courses within the DNP Nurse Anesthesia curriculum.
• Attend scheduled classes, meetings, and faculty obligations.
• Maintain availability for student advising and mentorship.
• Prepare course materials consistent with program standards.
• Provide written course objectives, content outlines, and grading criteria at course outset.
• Perform grading in a fair and timely manner.
• Communicate with students who earn failing grades prior to submission to the Registrar.
• Base academic evaluation on good-faith professional judgment.
• Select qualified applicants through participation in admissions review and interviews.
• Check references and evaluate admissions materials in an unbiased manner.

3. Clinical Program Growth & Oversight

• Manage and grow clinical sites in the Grand Rapids region.
• Monitor clinical site quality through annual evaluations.
• Ensure clinical placements align with COA standards and program requirements.
• Seek contractual partnerships in underserved areas.
• Collaborate with Director of Clinical Education and program leadership on clinical strategy.

4. Scholarship & Service

• Engage in scholarly activity consistent with faculty rank and appointment.
• Participate in professional service at the university, state, and national levels.
• Support accreditation, program assessment, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to grant-related or project-related outcome monitoring where applicable.

5. Student Mentorship & Project-Specific Duties

In alignment with the University's mission and program goals

• Mentor students, with focused attention to minority and disadvantaged students.
• Perform outreach and counseling activities to attract, retain, and graduate minority students.
• Monitor and report key outcomes including.
• First employment settings of graduates (especially in HPSA, MUA, and rural areas).
• Board certification scores and program satisfaction (annually).
• Clinical site quality ratings (annually).

Minimum Qualifications

• Terminal degree (DNP, DNAP, PhD, or equivalent).
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in good standing with NBCRNA.
• Minimum of three (3) years of clinical anesthesia experience.
• Eligible for licensure in Michigan.
• Demonstrated teaching effectiveness or strong interest in graduate-level education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Current employment or active clinical relationship at one of the program’s established clinical sites.
• Prior experience in academic leadership or clinical coordination.
• Experience with accreditation standards (COA) and clinical site development.
• Record of scholarship or scholarly productivity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Key Leadership Competencies
Strategic thinking and program-building mindset.
Strong interpersonal and team development skills.
Commitment to diversity and underserved populations.
Operational and accreditation awareness.
Professional maturity and ethical integrity.

Physical Requirements

Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping. Occasionally lift average weight objects (1 to 10pounds).

Licenses/Certifications

Classroom faculty must be certified or recertified as a CRNA by NBCRNA and hold at minimum a master’s degree (terminal degree required for this position).

Salary/Pay Information

Commensurate with experience.