Assistant Program Director for DNP Programs, Jefferson College of Nursing, Thomas Jefferson University

Job DetailsThe Assistant Director for DNP Programs provides academic and administrative leadership in partnership with the Program Director for DNP Programs to support the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Doctor of Nursing Practice education. The Assistant Director reports directly to the Program Director for DNP Programs and collaborates closely with the Graduate Department Chair, Graduate Vice Chair, Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Program Directors, faculty, students, and external stakeholders.

The Assistant Director promotes excellence in DNP education through leadership in curriculum implementation, student success, faculty development, quality improvement, accreditation readiness, and achievement of program outcomes. This position supports the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities of the Jefferson College of Nursing and advances innovative, evidence-based teaching and learning practices across all DNP programs. The Assistant Director serves as a leadership partner to the Program Director and may represent the DNP Programs in meetings, committees, and operational activities as delegated.

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Curriculum

• Support the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the DNP curriculum.
• Teach and lead DNP courses as assigned.
• Collaborate with faculty to ensure curricular alignment with AACN Essentials, DNP learning outcomes, and professional nursing standards.
• Participate in curriculum review, revision, and program development activities.
• Support the integration of innovative teaching-learning strategies and educational technologies.
• Contribute to initiatives that promote academic excellence and student achievement across the DNP programs.

Student Success and Advising

• Mentor and advise DNP students as appropriate.
• Support student scholarly project development and completion.
• Participate in student recruitment, admissions review, and selection processes.
• Assist in addressing student concerns, academic progression issues, grievances, and appeals.
• Monitor student progression, retention, graduation, and certification outcomes and recommend strategies to support student success.

Faculty Development and Support

• Mentor and support faculty teaching within DNP programs.
• Support faculty onboarding, professional development, mentoring, and retention initiatives.
• Assist in identifying, preparing, and supporting DNP Project Chairs, course leads, and other faculty roles.
• Provide input into academic planning, scheduling, and faculty workload considerations.
• Promote collaboration, engagement, and communication among DNP faculty.

Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement

• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes, key performance indicators, and benchmark achievement.
• Participate in systematic program evaluation activities and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
• Assist in developing and implementing action plans when outcomes, standards, or benchmarks are not achieved.
• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting related to program effectiveness and student outcomes.

Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance, and Clinical Partnerships

• Support compliance with institutional, professional, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.
• Contribute to accreditation reporting, self-study preparation, and site visit readiness activities.
• Support oversight and evaluation of DNP clinical learning experiences, preceptors, and affiliated clinical sites.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality clinical and practice learning environments.
• Assist in monitoring changes in professional, regulatory, and accreditation requirements and support program responses as needed.

Service and Community Engagement

• Foster collaborative relationships with students, alumni, faculty, clinical partners, healthcare organizations, professional organizations, accrediting agencies, and regulatory bodies.
• Participate in college, university, professional, and community service activities.
• Support initiatives that strengthen engagement between the Jefferson College of Nursing and its communities of interest.
• Represent the DNP Programs on committees, task forces, and special projects as assigned.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director for DNP Programs, Graduate Department Chair, Graduate Department Vice Chair, or Vice Dean of Academic Affairs.

  Job Description

Qualifications

Required

Active, unencumbered registered nurse licensure or eligibility for licensure as required.

Graduate degree in nursing.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or other earned doctoral degree.

Experience in graduate nursing education.

Demonstrated teaching effectiveness.

Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.

Preferred

Experience teaching in DNP programs.

Experience with curriculum development, program evaluation, accreditation, or academic administration.

Experience mentoring faculty and graduate students.

Evidence of scholarship, professional engagement, and service.

Appointment and Application

This position includes an academic appointment within the Jefferson College of Nursing.

Interested candidates should submit on-line application/CV and Cover Letter detailing relevant teaching and clinical experience, and areas of scholarship and service contributions; http://hr.jefferson.edu/human-resources.html then enter in search box  Job ID REQ-0031982

Work ShiftWorkday Day (United States of America)

Worker Sub TypeRegular

Employee EntityThomas Jefferson University

Primary Location Address901 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America

Nationally ranked, Jefferson, which is principally located in the greater Philadelphia region, Lehigh Valley and Northeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, is reimagining health care and higher education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 65,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients; making our communities healthier and stronger; preparing tomorrow's professional leaders for 21st-century careers; and creating new knowledge through basic/programmatic, clinical and applied research. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Jefferson College of Nursing, and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 200+ undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,300 students. Jefferson Health, nationally ranked as one of the top 15 not-for-profit health care systems in the country and the largest provider in the Philadelphia and Lehigh Valley areas, serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 32 hospitals campuses and more than 700 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region. Jefferson Health Plans is a not-for-profit managed health care organization providing a broad range of health coverage options in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 35 years.    

Jefferson is committed to providing equal educa­tional and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military status, veteran status, handicap or disability or any other protected group or status. 

Benefits

Jefferson offers a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time colleagues, including medical (including prescription), supplemental insurance, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, tuition assistance, as well as voluntary benefits, which provide colleagues with access to group rates on insurance and discounts. Colleagues have access to tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service. All colleagues, including those who work less than part-time (including per diem colleagues, adjunct faculty, and Jeff Temps), have access to medical (including prescription) insurance.

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