PT Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct, Part-Time Faculty
General Position Description

Adjunct faculty members perform a number of roles and functions, each of which reflects the
core competencies of their discipline. Those competencies include the following:

1. facilitate learning,
2. facilitate learner development and socialization,
3. use assessment and evaluation strategies,
4. function as a change agent and leader,
5. pursue continuous quality improvement in the educator role, and
6. function within the educational infrastructure, mission, and policies of Denver College of Nursing.

This position reports to the appropriate Program Director (i.e., ADN Program Director, BSN Program Director, or General Education Program Director).

Competencies and Responsibilities

1. Facilitate Learning:
   Faculty members are responsible for creating an environment in the classroom, Sims/Skills laboratory, and clinical settings that facilitates student learning and the achievement of desired cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes.
2. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization:
   Faculty members recognize his/her responsibility for helping students develop as nurses and integrate the values and behaviors expected of those who fulfill that role.
3. Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies:
   Faculty members use a variety of strategies to assess and evaluate student learning in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, as well as in all domains of learning.
4. Function as a Change Agent and Leader:
   Faculty members function as change agents and leaders to create a preferred future for nursing education and nursing practice. Leadership may include mentoring or supervision of new and/or adjunct clinical faculty members.
5. Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Educator Role:
   Faculty members recognize that his/her role is multidimensional and that an ongoing commitment to develop and maintain competence in the role and to lifelong learning is essential.
6. Function within the educational infrastructure, mission, and policies of Denver College of Nursing:
   Faculty members are knowledgeable about the educational environment, resources, and document integrity. In addition, he/she practices and recognizes how political, institutional, social, and economic forces impact his/her role at the college. Faculty members are expected to work within and support the policies, mission, and core values of Denver College of Nursing.

These competencies and responsibilities are adapted from The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators (National League for Nursing, 2005).

Specific Responsibilities of Adjunct Faculty

• Adhere to all Denver College of Nursing policies and procedures.
• Maintain expertise to provide the educational competencies listed above.
• Commit to on-time attendance at every assigned class, clinical, or lab for which they are responsible. This also includes teaching the full allotted time for that particular course.
• Adhere to course syllabus, content outline, class schedule, and textbook use. 
• Advise students as appropriate for each course taught. 
• Attend the All-Hands and Faculty Meetings held during the intersession between quarters. 
• Submit an electronic and paper-signed copy of grades by the second day of the intersession. 
• Provide an updated course calendar in the syllabus in the first week of the intersession. 
• Read the student handbook, student catalog, and faculty handbook. 
• Turn in attendance and updated spreadsheets with grades each week to the Registrar. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Qualifications

The following are the qualifications for appointment as an adjunct faculty member.

Nursing:

• A minimum of a BSN from an accredited institution. National certification in areaof clinical specialty is preferred;
• Current unencumbered Colorado license as a registered nurse;
• Current CPR certification as a healthcare provider;
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screen;
• Current clinical nursing knowledge within area of specialty and ongoing maintenance of clinical competency;
• Minimum of three years of recent clinical experience in area of specialty;
• One year teaching professional nursing preferred;
• Knowledge of education, instructional delivery, and adult learning required;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and through learning technologies such as computers and e-mail; and
• Ability to work effectively with clinical agencies, staff, faculty, and students as a member of the team.

General Education:

• A minimum of masters’ degree with 15 semester credit hours in the discipline for appointment as a faculty member; a doctorate degree is preferred;
• Current knowledge in one’s area of responsibility;
• A commitment to teaching and helping students develop an abiding interest in education and a desire to help the college maintain the standards appropriate to an institution of higher education;
• Ability to maintain rapport with colleagues and students and to conduct themselves with a high level of professionalism;
• Documented knowledge of education, instructional delivery, adult learning required;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally, in writing, and through learning technologies such as computers and e-mails; and
• Ability to work with staff, faculty, students, and administration.

Classification
Adjunct faculty positions are part-time, exempt positions. Because these positions are part-time, these positions are not eligible for benefits. Work hours may vary depending on the scheduling of courses each quarter. Travel will be required to clinical agencies and may be required for other courses at other locations. Compensation is inclusive in the course to include attendance at meetings, clinical orientation, or meeting the students at the College. In some cases, additional workload may be added, or special activities and projects are assigned and will be paid through timesheets above and beyond those fees for courses being taught per quarterly teaching agreements.

Physical and Mental Requirements
To perform the essential competencies and responsibilities of the position, the faculty member is frequently required to: sit, bend, kneel, reach, stand for long periods, walk, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate computers and/or audiovisual equipment. The faculty member may also occasionally be required to life, push, pull, carry, or support patients or materials up to 50 pounds in weight.