POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Program Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2426
GRADE Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR -Dean McQueary College of Health and Human Services
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Program Director administers the daily operations of the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program and the Post Masters Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice program and assures compliance with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program’s Standards and Guidelines. The doctorally-prepared Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) has the leadership authority and accountability for program administration.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or a PhD in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
Experience: Administrative and leadership experience is required.
Certifications/Licensure: Current certification or current recertification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA) is required. A current unencumbered license or privilege to practice as a registered professional nurse (RN) and/or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in the state of Missouri is required or must be obtained by the date of employment.
Skills: The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assures compliance with the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Program’s Standards and Guidelines.2. Provides information about the program, reviews applications to the program, interviews applicants, participates in Admission Committee meetings.
3. Reviews, validates, and coordinates educational activities of the Nurse Anesthetist Program. Including reviewing student clinical assignments in coordination with the Clinical site coordinators, manages the didactic schedule, reviewing teaching and exam schedules, assigning and evaluating didactic and clinical instructors, serving as administrative advisor for all nurse anesthesia students, entry and completion students.
4. Communicates as needed with the Department of Education, the Missouri Department of Secondary Education, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA), the NBCRNA and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA).5. Serves as chair or ex-officio member of all committees and boards related to the nurse anesthesia program and attends the national annual meeting of nurse anesthesia program faculty (EDGE).
6. Completes COA annual report.
7. Attends the annual AANA National Congress meeting, and state anesthesia meetings as possible.
8. Maintains a current Anesthesia Student Handbook.
9. Prepares and manages the anesthesia program budget.
10. Assigns teaching load and courses to all Anesthesia faculty.
11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed, demonstrating knowledge of environmental issues that may influence the program and nurse anesthesia practice by engaging in professional development.
12. Supports the Nurse Anesthetist Program by performing all other duties as assigned by the Dean, including institutional planning, curriculum design and review and other governance roles.
SUPERVISION
The Program Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program supervises the Assistant Program Director, Anesthesia faculty, Anesthesia Student Coordinator, Assistant to the Program Director and administrative support staff.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED DECEMBER 2025