Specialty Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Programs/Instructional Series Faculty Appointment (Open Rank-Assistant Teaching Professor, Associate Teaching Professor, or Teaching Professor)

Job Summary:

The CU College of Nursing is seeking an energetic leader to serve as the Specialty Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practitioner Program. The ideal candidate would be qualified to hold a full-time (1.00 FTE) faculty appointment within the Instructional Faculty Series (rank will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience). This full-time faculty position includes dedicated time to serve as the Specialty Director in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program. The successful candidate will have recent psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice experience and a track record of excellence in academic teaching. Responsibilities include participation in the teaching, practice, and service mission of the College of Nursing and the University of Colorado. Demonstration of academic leadership, such as curricular/program development, is preferred.

Ideal candidates will have teaching and scholarship experience with the ability to teach across programs. Faculty rank will depend on the candidate’s qualifications and experience, and potential ranks include Assistant Teaching Professor, Associate Teaching Professor, or Teaching Professor within the Instructional Series.

Successful candidates will have recent experience in the focus listed above and a track record of excellence in academic teaching. Responsibilities may include participation in the teaching, practice, and service mission of the College of Nursing and the University of Colorado. Demonstration of academic leadership, such as curricular/program development, is preferred. For APRN candidates, a portion of the position may be devoted to clinical practice depending on the candidate’s experience and expertise. While the primary focus for these positions resides in the teaching mission of the college, service and scholarship to the university and the college are expected of all faculty members. A successful candidate will help foster a community of belonging and will utilize a justice lens to effectively engage with all members of the CU Nursing community, specifically faculty, staff, students, and community partners with diverse identities.

This faculty position involves didactic and clinical teaching responsibilities as well as administrative responsibility for the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program including securing clinical placements for graduate students and the management of student program plans, progression monitoring and student support. Didactic courses are taught in the classroom, online, or in blended formats. Supervision of clinical courses includes clinical conferences using online conferencing, site visits, and close communication with clinical preceptors.

Examples of Work Performed may include:

Academic Advising & Student Support

· Serve as the Academic Advisor for all PMHNP students.

· Advise students, monitor progress and retention, and establish performance improvement plans as needed.

· Support student growth in skills needed to succeed in a progressive teaching and learning environment that incorporates ongoing innovative strategies for competency development.

· Evaluate student application of knowledge.

· Promote accountability among students by implementing clear guidelines and expectations for preparation, engagement, and self-directed study and practice.

· Lead the comprehensive examination process for PMHNP students, including evaluation of competencies and coordination of poster presentation activities.

· Create and maintain formal Plans of Study, individualized to each student, to support expected progression and accurate administrative tracking across the program.

Student Recruitment, Coordination & Alumni Engagement

· Recruit and advise qualified students to the PMHNP program, including conducting interviews, portfolio reviews, and informational sessions.

· Build and maintain relationships with alumni and constituents to monitor post-graduate outcomes, support preceptor recruitment, and strengthen alumni engagement.

· Support recruitment of qualified faculty for the PMHNP program, as needed.

Curriculum Development & Instruction

· Serve as lead faculty for the PMHNP specialty, providing didactic and clinical instruction in classroom, online, and blended formats.

· Instruct and facilitate meaningful learning aligned with course and program outcomes.

· Provide learner-centered instruction that prepares graduates to meet evolving patient needs and workforce demands.

· Encourage a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility, respect, lifelong learning, diversity, ethics, and professional development.

· Participate in course, curricular, and program revision and development activities.

· Evaluate and revise curriculum to ensure alignment with state and national certification standards and accreditation requirements and following faculty shared governance processes.

· Introduce students to skills necessary for success in progressive learning environments that incorporate innovative strategies and competency-based development.

· Integrate innovative teaching strategies and educational technologies to enhance learning and competency development.

· Demonstrate proficiency in the use of educational technology tools.

· Support student certification application processes and monitor program quality indicators, including certification pass rates and related benchmarks.

· Collaborate to suggest teaching assignments within the PMHNP program and accept teaching assignments as determined by the Assistant/Associate Dean and/or Division Chair.

Clinical Preceptor & Placement Coordination

· Identify, recruit, and maintain relationships with clinical preceptors and practicum sites.

· Ensure clinical placements are secured prior to each semester and provide required documentation to the Clinical Placement Office.

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