Director, RN Bridge Program presso Pierpont Community & Technical College

posted 11/4/2025 until 11/18/2025 or filled           

                                   Pierpont Community & Technical College

                                                                                    Job Description               

JOB TITLE:    Director, RN Bridge Program

AGENCY: Pierpont Community and Technical College

WORK LOCATION: Pierpont Advanced Technology Center, 500 Galliher Drive Fairmont, West Virginia 26554

REPORTS TO:  President     

Employee Category:    Faculty                       

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GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

Pierpont Community and Technical College seeks an innovative and experienced nursing education leader to serve as the founding Program Director for our new LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge Program. This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering a Board-approved Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program that provides an accelerated one-year pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses and Paramedics to become Registered Nurses. The Program Director will lead all aspects of program development, curriculum design, faculty recruitment, accreditation activities, and ongoing program evaluation to ensure graduates are prepared for successful NCLEX-RN performance and professional nursing practice. This grant-funded position offers a unique opportunity to build a program from the ground up that will directly address the critical nursing shortage in North Central West Virginia while advancing the careers of experienced healthcare professionals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Submit Intent to Plan to WV Board of Examiners for Registered Professional Nurses and secure all regulatory approvals.
• Develop comprehensive program documentation meeting WV RN Board. Prepare annual reports for WV RN Board and maintain program data for accreditation.
• Lead institutional approval processes through curriculum committees, HLC, and DOE.
• Design innovative one-year accelerated bridge curriculum building on LPN/Paramedic foundation. Develop Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) framework that recognizes and credits existing clinical experience. Create course syllabi, learning objectives, and assessment methods aligned with NCLEX-RN competencies.
• Integrate evidence-based practice, patient safety, quality improvement, and addiction recovery content. Design clinical practicum experiences across diverse healthcare settings and across the lifespan.
• Establish and maintain clinical partnership agreements with regional healthcare facilities. Represent nursing program at institutional and community events. Maintain positive relationships with clinical partners and community stakeholders.
• Recruit and train qualified clinical preceptors meeting Board requirements. Recruit, hire, and mentor full-time and adjunct nursing faculty meeting WV RN Board qualifications. Ensure all faculty hold current, unencumbered RN licenses and graduate degrees in nursing.
• Establish Nursing Advisory Board with quarterly meetings. Conduct faculty orientations, evaluations, and professional development programs.
• Develop student admission, progression, retention, and graduation policies. Coordinate recruitment activities, admissions processes, and student support services.
• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing strategy targeting LPNs and Paramedics
• Implement comprehensive, systematic program evaluation plan
• Monitor student performance, retention, graduation rates, and NCLEX-RN pass rates. Track graduate employment outcomes.
• Prepare and submit ACEN candidacy application and lead self-study process. Coordinate ACEN site visits and achieve initial accreditation.
• Manage program budget including grant funds and institutional resources. Ensure adequate fiscal, human, physical, clinical, and technical learning resources.
• Assist with simulation lab operations and equipment maintenance.
• Supervise clinical experiences as needed.
• Participate in college-wide committees and strategic planning initiatives.
• Engage in professional development and scholarly activities.
• Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Dean of the School of Health Sciences.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with nursing program accreditation (ACEN, CCNE, or similar).
• Experience developing new nursing programs or curriculum revision.
• Clinical expertise in multiple specialty areas across the lifespan.
• Experience with bridge programs (LPN to RN, ADN to BSN, or similar pathways).
• Grant management experience.
• Strong record of NCLEX-RN success in previous programs.
• Active involvement in professional nursing organizations (Sigma Theta Tau, NLN, AACN, etc.)
• Certification in nursing education (CNE, CNE-n, or similar).
• Simulation education expertise and training.
• Understanding of rural healthcare and Appalachian health disparities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Graduate degree in nursing (Master's or Doctoral degree with major in nursing) from a regionally accredited institution required. Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, or EdD) preferred. 3+ years of experience in nursing education at the associate or baccalaureate level required. 3+ years of administrative experience in nursing program leadership preferred.
• Current, unencumbered, and active Registered Nurse (RN) license in West Virginia (or eligible for WV licensure by reciprocity) required.
• Professional liability insurance (malpractice insurance) as required for clinical practice.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to sit for extended periods for administrative work. Ability to stand and walk during clinical site visits and instructional activities. Visual acuity for computer work and document review. Ability to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally. Manual dexterity for computer use and simulation equipment operation.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Clinical healthcare settings for site visits and faculty supervision. Travel required to clinical partner sites throughout North Central WV region.
• Occasional evening and weekend hours for recruitment events and Advisory Board meetings.

 DISCLAIMER:

This description does not state or imply that the duties listed are the only duties to be performed by the position incumbent. Employees are required to follow job-related instructions and perform other job-related activities assigned by their supervisor.  Most requirements are subject to possible modification in order to provide a reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, students, other employees, or the general public.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Commission and Council provide a collegial and respectful environment that values the contributions all staff.