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

Jefferson Health Plans • Philadelphia, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• medical (including prescription)
• supplemental insurance
• dental
• vision
• life and AD&D insurance
• short- and long-term disability
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement plans
• tuition assistance
• voluntary benefits
• tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager