Director/Instructor, Practical Nursing

The program director is the first-line administrator within the program area responsible for the planning, implementing, coordinating, supervising, and evaluating all instruction and related program management activities. In addition to fulfilling the terms of appointment as specified in the contract of employment.

General Operations:

• Plan, execute, and evaluate annual program goals, objectives, and related activities, based on the needs of the program, department, division, and College for improved performance;
• Recommend, implement, and enforce academic policies and procedures, administrative rules and regulations, and other controls intended to maintain order and the highest standards of instruction;
• Maintain communications throughout the program by a system of regular meetings with full-time, part-time, and adjunct faculty and by means of written communications, utilization of committees, conferences, and/or other group management strategies;
• Maintain complete office records, process reports, forms, schedules and all other required paperwork in a timely, efficient manner, checking for the accuracy and correctness of all data;
• Maintain supportive relations at all times with all other units and branches of the department, the division, and College and the designated hospital personnel, providing assistance to them in carrying out their respective functions and securing their cooperation for the program operations;
• Maintain a weekly work schedule designed to ensure proper supervision of program activities and regular attention to the administrative and instructional requirements of the position.

Personnel Management:

• Assign, supervise, and evaluate full-time and/or part-time program faculty;
• Provide for the professional development needs of all program faculty;
• Maintain current job descriptions and other required personnel information;
• Assist in the interview and recommend the appointment of full- and/or part-time, and adjunct faculty and provide for orientation of new employees;

Program Management:

• Develop, review, revise, and evaluate program curriculum and instruction, facilitating innovation in curricular and instructional development;
• Develop, review, revise, and distribute all plans of study, course outlines, and other curriculum information, including copy for publication;
• Organize and maintain an effective advisory committee system in support of the curriculum program;
• Support the functions of the Office for Curriculum Development, including adherence to all facets of the academic change process;
• Ensure that the program and curriculum offerings are in full compliance with the requirements for accreditation, certification, and other standards stipulated by appropriate external agencies;
• Develop and maintain productive relations with those businesses, industries, medical facilities, and other organizations in the community which are pertinent to the program and prospective graduates and with which the College may hold contracts, other agreements, or arrangements.
• Maintain communication and reporting to NCBON and accrediting agency(s). Prepare for and oversee nursing accreditation visits and maintain all accreditation requirements. Address issues relating to NCLEX scores and attrition.

Financial Management:

• Prepare and administer the program budget, regularly monitoring status of expenditures, maintaining necessary records and filing reports;
• Prepare and process contracts for part-time and adjunct faculty, contractual services, and with external agencies, plus other financial agreements;
• Supervise, process, and maintain records of all leave requests, absentee reports, and related documentation for all program faculty;
• Recommend equipment, supplies, materials, and physical facilities to meet program needs; prepare requisitions for appropriate and/or authorized purchases; maintain operational all program equipment and facilities; and provide inventory records and security for the same.

Instructional Management and Supervision:

• Prepare and process semester offerings and class schedules which meet the requirements of the program and the needs of the program students, ensuring that the instructional resources of the program are being utilized efficiently and effectively and that the program's mission is being met;
• Supervise and evaluate the operation of all classes being conducted within the assigned function of the program, including visits to day, evening, weekend, and off-campus classes, clinical practicum, and other instructional activities;
• Ensure that individual faculty schedules are developed and fulfilled within the program, including adequate provisions for teaching loads, office hours, student advisement, assisting in registration, committee work, and other instructional activities;
• Recommend and prepare requisitions for the provision of resources and services required for the effective delivery of instruction within the program, including support relations with the Educational Resources Department and other units of the College whose function it is to assist the program areas;
• Ensure that accountable instruction is being provided within the program at all times: instructors are on time and prepared, all classes are properly covered, instruction is conducted as scheduled, and course and program requirements are being met.

Other Duties:

• Teach a minimum load of three (3) to six (6) contact hours per semester, as determined by the needs of the program and as approved by the Dean of Health and wellness;
• Represent the program, the department, the division, or the College in the institutional assignments, community affairs, and professional activities, and uphold such involvement among program faculty;
• Provide appropriate assistance and support for the functions of Continuing Education, particularly the special training needs of business, industry, and allied health;
• Provide support and assistance to the Student Support Services Division in conducting student recruitment and registration, determining admission requirements and procedures, orientation of new students, job placement of graduates, and other related activities.
• Participates in activities pertaining to the Durham Early College of Health Sciences including (DECHS) including recruitment events, summer camps, and planning;
• Assume other appropriate responsibilities and perform additional tasks as assigned by the department dean, chief instructional officer, or president in meeting the needs of the College.

Minimum Qualifications:

• The Practical Nursing program director must have a minimum of a graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
• Must have a current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in the state of North Carolina.
• Prior to or within the first three years of employment, the Practical Nursing instructor must have preparation in teaching and learning principles for adult education, including curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation, appropriate to assignment. This preparation may be demonstrated by one of the following:
• completion of 45 contact hours of continuing education courses;
• completion of a certificate program in nursing education;
• nine semester hours of education course work;
• national certification in nursing education; or
• documentation of successful completion of structured, individualized development activities of at least 45 contact hours approved by the Board. Criteria for approval include content in the faculty role within the curriculum implementation, objectives to be met and evaluated, review of strategies for identified student population and expectations of student and faculty performance.
• Should have background experience in the area of Medical-Surgical and /or Maternal-Child nursing.

Work Experience:

• The Practical Nursing program director must have a minimum of five (5) calendar years of prior full-time employment or the equivalent in clinical nursing practice as a registered nurse.
• Have a minimum of 2 years work experience as a program director or clinical coordinator of a nursing program OR a minimum of 3 years as a nursing administrator in clinical nursing practice as a registered nurse.
• Must have a minimum of two (2) years full-time experience teaching in nursing program(s).
• A thorough understanding and commitment to the mission and philosophy of the North Carolina Community College System.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective, civil, and respectful interpersonal relations throughout the college and the community.
• Ability to respect and work with social, cultural, spiritual, and intellectual diversity.
• Understanding of leadership styles and group dynamics
• Competence in oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• Knowledge of preparation, administration, and monitoring of annual budgets.
• Proven organization and prioritization skills that facilitate multi-tasking, accuracy and punctuality with assigned tasks.
• Ability to see the big picture while giving close attention to details.
• Knowledge of accrediting body, regulatory agency, and legal requirements as they relate to nursing and nursing education.
• Understanding of principles of adult education and student-centered active learning strategies.
• Proficiency in computer technology as evidenced by competence with Microsoft Office products, including Excel and Word and current instructional technology.
• Ability to function effectively under stress.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution abilities.
• Ability to plan and adapt to change.
• Awareness of needs and expectations of student, colleagues, and community groups.
• Ability to think creatively and put ideas into action.
• Ability to make presentations to small and large audiences.
• Personal integrity, honesty, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Familiarity with OSHA standards as they apply to Health and wellness education.
• Must have current knowledge of nursing practice for the registered nurse and the licensed practical nurse.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. The physical and mental demands described as follows are representative of those that must be met by an employee in performing the essential functions of this job:

• Mobility sufficient to conduct a three (3) hour class.
• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift light objects at times, 10 lbs or under.
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to perform required job functions.

Normal Working Hours:

A minimum of a 40-hour work week as determined with the supervisor to allow the employee to fulfill the assigned duties and responsibilities, including occasional evening and weekend hours. Summer schedules may vary depending on workload.