Part-Time Faculty, Clinical Nursing

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers. NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College considers part-time faculty as full-time professionals who happen to be teaching only part-time. Therefore, just as is the case of the full-time faculty member, when an individual accepts an associate faculty position at Northwest Arkansas Community College, he/she also accepts responsibilities and obligations as a professional educator. Under the supervision of the appropriate Division Dean or Department Chair, each associate instructor has as his/her chief duty the instruction of assigned classes. This duty takes precedence over all others. Each associate instructor should make every effort to be present and on time for each assigned class meeting, and prepared for that class to the best of his/her ability. Other than their teaching obligations, associate instructors should assume responsibilities as assigned by their supervisors or the Vice President for Learning and abide by the applicable sections of the Faculty Handbook. Above all, the associate instructor must be committed to the community college concept philosophy, and specifically, to the goals and objectives of Northwest Arkansas Community College.

Associate faculty is offered one-semester teaching assignments and is compensated according to degree level and current part-time teaching salary scale. Under the direction of the Director of Nursing Education, each nursing faculty member has, as his/her chief duty, the instruction of assigned classes, lab, and/or clinical. This duty takes precedence over all others. Each nursing faculty member should make every effort to be present and on time for each assigned class, lab, or clinical meeting, and prepare for that class, lab, or clinical to the best of his/her ability. When an individual accepts a teaching appointment at NWACC, he/she also accepts responsibilities and obligations as a professional educator. In the same spirit which the College jealously guards his/her rights as an academician, he/she must never use his/her position for any non-professional or personal purpose. Other than his/her teaching obligation, each nursing faculty member should assume responsibilities as assigned by his/her Nursing Director, Dean of the Division of Health Professions, or Vice President for Learning, and abide by the applicable sections of the Faculty Handbook. Above all, the nursing faculty member must be committed to the mission and objectives of NorthWest Arkansas Community College.

In addition to those general responsibilities mentioned above, the following specific requirements for the part-time clinical instructor include:

• Licensed in Arkansas or eligible for licensure.
• Baccalaureate degree in Nursing (BSN) and/or Master's degree in Nursing (MSN) as required by Accrediting Body.
• Two years clinical experience.
• Clinical teaching experience.
• Strong communication, organization, interpersonal, problem-solving, and counselling skills.
• Knowledge of legislative, regulatory, legal and practice issues affecting clinical education, students, and the profession.
• Current knowledge of contemporary practice.
• Computer skills to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Blackboard or similar Distance Learning Platform.
• Meets Program full-time faculty requirements: Clear criminal background, Clear 10 panel urine drug screen, Current TB/CPR documentation, Current Immunizations.

In addition, all faculty will maintain education and clinical competencies in areas of clinical instruction. Consider safety, patient acuity, and specifics of any clinical area when determining the necessary faculty/student ratio for clinical experiences. The faculty to student ratio in clinical experiences shall be no greater than 1:8 in acute care and 1:10 in non-acute care. Support and implement the philosophy and conceptual framework in the curricula of the Program. Participate in the development and revision of the Nursing Program as deemed necessary. Create and maintain an intellectual environment conducive to critical thinking and significant learning experiences. Coordinate, plan, and maintain clinical learning environments appropriate for implementation of the curricula. Use evaluative techniques to measure student performance (MSN-prepared faculty will perform all student evaluations in conjunction with BSN-prepared clinical faculty). Participate in faculty and committee assignments. Demonstrate and encourage high standards of nursing practice. Remain current in specialty area and nursing education. Assume responsibilities for program advising and counselling of nursing students. Perform other duties as assigned by proper authority.

Abide by the clinical instructor dress code which includes: wearing an official NWACC instructor name tag, wearing either scrubs or street clothes with a white lab coat in accordance with clinical facility policy, wearing white or black leather closed-toe shoes (with scrubs) or low-heeled, soft-soled shoes (with street clothes), no excessive jewellery or make-up, and no perfumes/fragrances/etc.

Rate of pay: varies depending on degree Associates: $35 per hour, Bachelors: $39 per hour, Masters: $42 per hour, Doctorate: $45 per hour.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the organization and administration of various higher education academic and social programs.
• Knowledge of campus and community resources.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and campus rules, regulations, and requirements related to campus academic and social programs.
• Ability to coordinate the activities of campus academic and/or social programs.
• Ability to evaluate collected information and formulate into recommendations.
• Ability to compile information into report form.

Physical activities and environmental conditions must be considered for all employees of the Department of Nursing including: Director of Nursing Education, Assistant Director of Nursing Education, Clinical Coordinator, Simulation Lab Coordinator, Lab Coordinator, Full-time Faculty, Part-time/Associate Clinical Instructors, Department of Nursing Secretary.

Physical Activities:

The following physical activities 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 the essential functions and expectations. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is required to communicate effectively; required to stand, walk, sit, and reach; occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste, or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds; frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; colour vision; depth perception; and ability to adjust focus.

Environmental Conditions:

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Additional Information:

Because full-time faculty may need to substitute for clinical instructors in clinical agencies, the environmental conditions will likely be different than in the office setting. NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.