Dean of the School of Nursing

PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE

The Dean of the School of Nursing is responsible for supporting the vision and mission of Bluefield University by providing leadership that enables the university to be nimble, strategic, entrepreneurial, and responsive to trends of a broad range of nursing education as we prepare servant leaders to transform their world. The Dean will provide academic leadership, curriculum development, and other program advancement for the School, along with oversight of faculty research, accreditation, budget and resource development, assessment and evaluation, continuous quality improvement, and the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff, and students. The role is to be performed in a way that is in harmony with the Christian principles and philosophy of Bluefield University. The position reports to the Provost and works collaboratively with the Deans and other members of the Academic leadership team.

FACULTY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

• Teach an instructional load of 12 to 15 credit hours per calendar year in qualified courses– following all criteria listed within the University Catalog and Faculty Handbook.
• Serve on Dean and Faculty committees as assigned, attend organizational meetings, advise students, partake in Commencement activities, and be present at Chapel services.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

These functions include Academic, Enrollment Management, Community Relations, and Marketing elements.

• Serve as the Dean for the School of Nursing, responsible for the day-to-day leadership and oversight of Bluefield University’s undergraduate, certificate, and graduate online nursing programs.
• Participate in professional organizations that mutually benefit the School of Nursing, the University, and the community.
• Coordinate strategies to increase enrollment, brand awareness, and digital marketing presence for all nursing programs.
• Coordinate academic programs, collaborate with student services and Admissions, assign faculty, and advise students, as needed.
• Communicate regularly with students, area representatives, and college administrators in a problem-solving and decision-making capacity.
• Lead efforts to track student retention; support academic and customer service-focused efforts to retain students in all business programs.
• Work with the academic departments, following all relevant policies, to hire skilled and capable faculty members.
• Ensure up-to-date information is represented in the Academic Catalog, on the web, and other areas.

TECHNOLOGY AND TRAINING

• Work with BU’s Schools & Colleges to update and maintain nursing education curricula within the Learning Management System and at site locations (as needed).
• Maintain documents and learning tools databases used to support nursing education services.
• Evaluate nursing education learning methods and course content to ensure it meets 21st-century remote and virtual learning pedagogy.
• Develop and implement strategies to promote, enhance, and enrich teaching through present and emerging technologies

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct search committees for recruiting and hiring nursing faculty and staff.
• Build relationships with the local and regional healthcare systems to foster the School’s presence and reputation within the healthcare community.
• Travel to remote locations as needed.
• Work evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Remote work is a possibility, although there are expectations to be on campus regularly.

SUPERVISORY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and evaluate Nursing Department faculty and staff.
• Assist nursing program directors in managing the course schedule for each term; and implement improvements to the process and procedures.
• Collaborate with the VP for Online Enrollment and the LMS Technologist in orienting, training, and developing nursing faculty.

PROGRAM ASSESSMENT, ACCREDITATION, AND DEVELOPMENT

• Ensure the nursing programs have an updated and implemented Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment plan for on-campus and online education.
• Lead efforts of accreditation compliance for nursing education-including CCNE and State Board of Nursing.
• Provide the Provost and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness reports on institutional effectiveness and assessment of services, technology, and learning resource needs.
• Conduct and administer ongoing needs assessments, strategic learning assessments, and quality assurance assessments to develop the basis for curricula, training and overall education development.
• Use market data to direct the design and development process for new program offerings and course development.
• Develop, implement, and assist in enforcing policies and procedures as they relate to nursing programs.
• Strategically develop and promote innovative programs and diverse modes of course delivery as the School grows programs.
• Encourage unity of vision and purpose by integrating activities with co-curricular programs.
• Lead collaborative development and strategic efforts in marketing, recruitment, and branding initiatives for the School of Nursing with the Enrollment Management Team

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Possess a vibrant faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ.
• Be a highly motivated self-starter.
• Demonstrate a professional demeanor and presentation in dealing with the University constituency
• Possess an accredited doctoral degree in nursing or healthcare-related field;
• Possess a current and valid Virginia RN license. Current licensure in another state with eligibility to achieve Virginia RN licensure within six (6) months of hire may be substituted.
• Have five (5) years of full-time experience in nursing education is required, with at least three (3) years in a leadership role;
• Be experienced in liaising with a state Board of Nursing;
• Have experience with nursing education accreditation (CCNE preferred);
• Possess substantial administrative experience; a portion of the administrative experience in a higher education environment is preferred;
• Have a proven track record of building relationships with all constituents; and
• Have a demonstrated ability to think systemically, administrate collegially, and advocate effectively for the University, the School, and its faculty and students.

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

• Physical Demands
  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  This position is not necessarily a physically demanding job and requires no specific physical demands other than those typical in a modern office environment.  Normal responsibilities should not afford risks of accidental injury.

• Specialized Equipment Requirements
  The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.  This position requires no specialized equipment other than equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

• Working Conditions and Environment
  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions.  This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The evaluation of the performance of this position will be based on the ability to meet the requirements of the duties and tasks outlined above.

The criteria for evaluation of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. The ability to fulfill position description requirements as listed above in a timely and effective manner.
2. The ability to self-motivate and achieve set goals.
3. The ability to work cooperatively with all personnel and departments in the University.

APPROVALS

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of the same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this position, select “Apply Now” below or visit: https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the employment application and upload the following:

• Letter of interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Christian Faith
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy
• Transcripts
• Three letters of reference

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

Please note the definition of “Official Transcripts”

• Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered “official” when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered “official” when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.
• Academic records received in any other condition, such as transcripts that arrive in an unsealed envelope, that are emailed or uploaded by the student, or that are printed from the university portal, are not considered “official.”

Official transcripts may be sent to:

Academic Affairs Office
Bluefield University
3000 College Avenue
Bluefield, VA   24605