CRNA Program Director

Who is Saint Louis University? Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious Catholic universities. SLU, which also has a campus in Madrid, Spain, is recognized for world-class academics, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service.

Job Summary

The Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Program is being established as a joint venture between the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO) and the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing at Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO), and we are seeking a founding CRNA Program Director. This individual will lead the design, development, and implementation of this jointly offered nurse anesthetist program. The Program Director will guide the university partnership to achieve accreditation and build infrastructure for a successful launch. The Program Director will leverage their expertise in nurse anesthesia education and accreditation standards to create a comprehensive, high-quality program that meets the needs of students, faculty, and the health system partners of Rockhurst University and Saint Louis University.

The Program Director is open to those who can successfully apply for and complete the hiring protocols of Rockhurst University or Saint Louis University. This Associate Professor position may be wholly employed by Rockhurst University or Saint Louis University, based on their location.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Design and Development

• Develop a curriculum for the nurse anesthetist program, aligning it with the standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Design coursework, clinical training requirements, and evaluation methods to ensure program excellence.
• Incorporate best practices in CRNA education and nurse anesthesia to create a rigorous and engaging program.

Accreditation Preparation

• Prepare and submit the documentation and applications to achieve program accreditation through the COA accrediting body.
• Coordinate planning with university administration to support review and approval by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Conduct a gap analysis of current resources and recommend solutions to meet accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate accreditation-related activities, ensuring compliance with all standards.

Resource Development

• Identify and recommend facilities, technology, and resources to support program operations.
• Assist in recruiting and onboarding qualified faculty and staff to deliver the program.
• Support faculty with the development of coursework and clinical experiences to achieve learning outcomes.
• Develop alliances with health systems for clinical training, especially health systems that serve communities across Missouri, Illinois and Kansas

Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Establish metrics and evaluation tools to assess program effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Provide recommendations for ongoing program improvements to maintain accreditation standards and ensure graduate success.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Extensive knowledge of nurse anesthesia program accreditation standards and processes.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current certification as a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Earned doctorate (DNP, DNAP, PhD, EdD)
• Credentials that merit appointment at the rank of Associate Professor
• Proven experience in program design, curriculum development, and accreditation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience consulting or leading new program development in higher education.
• Familiarity with clinical site partnerships and clinical training program implementation.
• Demonstrated success in achieving accreditation for a nurse anesthetist or healthcare-related program.

Application Submissions

Application materials must include:

1. Curriculum vitae

2. Cover letter

To ensure full consideration, please submit all application materials by Friday, September 5, 2025.

About the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing (Saint Louis University):

The Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, an integral component of one of the largest Catholic health sciences centers in the world, has been in the forefront of nursing education since its founding in 1928. The School offers baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral (DNP and Ph.D.) programs and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The School offers an infrastructure to support faculty research and practice and offers innovative curricula to effectively address current and future health care needs. For more information on the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, please visit: http://www.slu.edu/nursing/index.php

About the Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Rockhurst University):

Rockhurst is a welcoming and inclusive private Catholic, Jesuit institution with a strong mission aligned with the core values of nursing. The College of Nursing is in one of two academic schools housed in Saint Luke’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The College of Nursing is known for its innovative teaching using a broad range of active learning experiences, close faculty-student interactions, and our strong mission focused on service, advocacy, and leadership. The faculty have established close relationships with many community partners, enabling community-based service learning for students and clinical practice opportunities for students and faculty. Rockhurst nursing students often receive commendations for excellence in academics, professionalism, commitment to social justice, and leadership. Additional details about the Nursing Program are available on the program's website: https://www.rockhurst.edu/saint-lukes-college 

Function

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact Human Resources at 314-977-5847.