Academic Instructor

JOB SUMMARY MTSA’s entry-level Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice–Post-Degree (DNAP-PD) program prepares registered nurses with critical care experience to become advanced practice nurse anesthetists. The Part-Time Academic Instructor provides graduate-level instruction in comprehensive health assessment, clinical reasoning, and advanced practice nursing. QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s degree in Nursing or a related field required; doctoral degree preferred. • Meets MTSA qualifications for instructing doctoral-level courses. • Current, unencumbered Tennessee Registered Nurse (RN) license or multistate RN license authorizing practice in Tennessee. • Nurse Practitioner preparation, current national certification, and Tennessee Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensure preferred. • Clinical experience demonstrating proficiency in comprehensive health history collection, physical examination, clinical reasoning, and interpretation of assessment findings. • Previous teaching experience in graduate nursing education, clinical education, or professional development preferred. • Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification and additional life support certifications as required for assigned instructional activities. • Formal graduate-level preparation in curriculum development, instructional methods, and evaluation required when serving as Course Director. • Education or training in distance education methodologies required when teaching distance education courses. • Teaching philosophy consistent with MTSA’s mission and values. • Strong communication, organizational, and collaboration skills. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, learning management systems, and educational technologies. RESPONSIBILITIES • Manage the Health Assessment course (doctoral candidates) or assist with course instruction (master’s candidates), consistent with the approved syllabus, course objectives, academic calendar, and DNAP-PD program requirements. • Develop, review, and update course content, instructional materials, learning activities, and assessments in collaboration with program leadership. • Teach comprehensive health history collection, physical examination across body systems, recognition and interpretation of assessment findings, and clinical documentation. • Deliver lectures, demonstrations, case discussions, skills laboratories, and simulation activities as applicable. • Incorporate active learning strategies that strengthen clinical reasoning and connect health assessment principles to nurse anesthesia practice. • Demonstrate and maintain clinical competency relevant to assigned instructional responsibilities. • Evaluate student performance through examinations, assignments, skills demonstrations, and other appropriate assessments. • Assign grades and competency assessments, maintain accurate academic records, and submit required documentation by established deadlines. • Provide timely, constructive feedback on student knowledge, assessment techniques, clinical reasoning, and professional performance. • Provide course-related academic support and student advising when assigned within the teaching agreement. • Maintain regular communication with the Program Administrator and Assistant Program Administrators regarding student progress, course delivery, and instructional needs. • Respond to student communications within 24–48 business hours during MTSA operating days. • Use instructional technology and web-based platforms to organize materials, communicate with students, and support classroom and distance education. • Participate in faculty meetings, course planning, and program initiatives relevant to the teaching assignment, as requested. • Incorporate student feedback, course evaluations, and program review findings into continuous course improvement. • Maintain required professional licensure, certifications, and credentials. • Follow applicable MTSA academic policies, student confidentiality requirements, and professional standards. • Perform other related duties within the contracted teaching assignment. This description is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Additional responsibilities may be assigned within the scope of the teaching agreement. REPORTING Reports to the Nurse Anesthesia Practice Doctorate Program Administrator. Teaching assignments, instructional responsibilities, and performance, including teaching effectiveness and student engagement, are coordinated and evaluated in collaboration with the Assistant Program Administrators. Regular communication with program leadership is required to support program goals and compliance with accreditation standards. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT • Contracted, part-time teaching assignment exclusively for the Health Assessment course in the DNAP-PD program during the Spring semester (January–April). • The teaching agreement specifies contract dates, required course preparation and final grading, teaching schedule, expected hours, compensation, and deliverables. • On-campus presence is required for all scheduled teaching, simulation, meetings, and other assigned responsibilities. Limited remote work for non-instructional duties may be permitted with prior approval from the Program Administrator. • Continued employment is contingent upon maintaining all required licensure, certifications, and credentials applicable to the position.