Who We Are

Priority Consideration Date: April 30th, 2026

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
Care deeply about student success
Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary:
The Associate Dean of Healthcare provides administrative leadership and oversight for the Nursing and Nursing Assistant programs at Tacoma Community College (TCC) and collaborates closely with the Dean of Healthcare on planning and advancing college strategic initiatives. This role provides leadership in curriculum development, program assessment and continuous improvement, faculty development and performance evaluation, budget and financial management, and facilities planning.

The Associate Dean of Healthcare supports faculty and staff in the day-to-day execution of their responsibilities, ensuring departmental goals and project milestones are met and that work remains aligned with approved budgets. While the primary focus of the role is the Nursing program, the Associate Dean also supports the broader Healthcare Pathway by participating in division-level planning, contributing to cross-program initiatives, and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and workforce needs.

This position reports to the Dean of Healthcare.

Essential Functions

Provide visionary leadership to advance excellence in the Tacoma Community College Nursing Program while upholding the college’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.

Ensure program compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) standards.
Maintain current knowledge of emerging research, peer-reviewed literature, and best practices in nursing education and healthcare, disseminating relevant findings to support evidence-based curriculum, policies, and program improvement.
Advocate for and support nursing faculty and staff in maintaining high academic quality, curriculum rigor, and instructional excellence across all nursing programs.
Lead development and management of Nursing program budgets, including analysis of departmental needs, coordination of budget requests, preparation of annual budgets for review by the Dean and Provost, and responsible stewardship of financial resources.
Conduct quarterly budget reviews, monitor expenditures, and forecast resource needs to align fiscal planning with strategic priorities, enrollment trends, and long-term program sustainability.
Identify and pursue opportunities to generate additional revenue through grant funding, strategic partnerships, and innovative collaborations with clinical partners and community organizations.
Promote transparent and effective communication across the Nursing program by facilitating regular meetings and fostering collaboration among full-time and part-time faculty and staff.
Support faculty recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, evaluation, and professional development, fostering a collaborative culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Oversee tenure processes for nursing faculty in accordance with institutional policies and collective bargaining agreements.
Engage students in program governance and educational activities in alignment with accreditation expectations and student engagement standards.
Oversee program recruitment, marketing, and outreach efforts, including coordination of information sessions, orientation activities, and collaboration on program materials such as brochures, catalogs, and website content.
Oversee student progression, retention, and readmission processes, ensuring compliance with program policies, clinical site requirements, and student support initiatives such as tutoring and academic assistance programs.
Use program and student outcomes data to inform assessment, policy development, and resource allocation, including oversight of processes related to NCLEX preparation and licensure application support.
Provide administrative leadership and operational support across Healthcare Pathway programs in collaboration with the Dean, ensuring alignment with division and institutional priorities.
Partner with the Dean to advance strategic initiatives that strengthen workforce alignment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and student success.
Promote innovative and collaborative teaching and learning practices, including simulation integration, interprofessional education (IPE), and clinical partnerships that reflect contemporary healthcare practice.
Provide direct supervision and strategic oversight of program support staff responsible for clinical onboarding, compliance processes, and documentation, ensuring standardized and effective operations.
Oversee the development and maintenance of clinical affiliation agreements and partnerships with healthcare organizations, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting high-quality clinical placements.
Maintain and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers, advisory committees, and community stakeholders to support workforce development and excellence in nursing education.
Oversee implementation of approved courses and programs of instruction, including scheduling, classroom and laboratory assignments, instructional materials, and operational processes necessary to maintain program quality.
Collaborate with institutional partners including Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Access Services; Enrollment Services; Academic Advising; and other departments - to support strategic initiatives, accreditation activities, and student success.
Provide leadership and guidance to the Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) program director to ensure continued program development, regulatory compliance, and responsiveness to regional workforce needs.
Serve as a strategic partner to the Dean of Healthcare in advancing the Healthcare Pathway’s mission and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, accreditation expectations, and regional workforce demands.

Qualifications

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Experience working with healthcare agencies and community organizations.
Evidence of teaching and/or technical training experience, minimum of three (3) years.
Must have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Must meet qualifications, standards, and requirements of Nursing educational WAC246-840-517

WABON requirements:
- WAC 246-840-517(2a). A BSN degree from a nursing education program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body recognized by the United States department of Education and a graduate degree, OR a graduate degree from a nursing education program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
- WAC 246-840-517(2b). Preparation in education that includes teaching adults, adult learning theory, teaching methods, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation, OR two years of teaching experience in nursing education that demonstrates this type of preparation.
- WAC 246-840-517(2c). Curriculum development and administration experience.
- WAC 246-840-517(2d). Five years of experience as a registered nurse including two years of experience in nursing education. WAC 246-840-517(2e). Current knowledge of nursing practice at the associate degree program level.

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in nursing required; a doctorate in Nursing or a related field preferred.
Degree must be earned from an accredited nursing program.
Minimum of five years of experience in nursing practice as a Registered Nurse, which may include academic, clinical, administrative, or a combination of these roles.
Minimum of three years of teaching experience in nursing education, or preparation in education that includes adult learning theory, teaching methods, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation; experience in curriculum development and program administration preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of nursing education and program operations.
Unencumbered, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington State at the time of hire.

Required conditions of employment:

Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

Application Process

Complete application packages must include the following:

Tacoma Community College online application.
Resume and cover letter, In your cover letter describe how your background and experiences align with the responsibilities of this position.
UNOFFICIAL Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. ( Official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate).
Diversity Statement: Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multi-cultural climate that welcomes, fosters, respects, and celebrates diversity. Please attach a statement (maximum two pages) describing your experiences with other cultures and communities, your level of cultural self-awareness and how you have integrated both experience and self-awareness into your living/working environment.

Terms of Employment
This is a full-time professional exempt position contracted on an annual basis. The salary range is $105,000-$115,500 base salary, plus an annual nurse educator stipend. The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the fiscal year. Scheduled to work Monday-Friday during the academic year. Work schedule will vary based on programing and team needs. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided.

Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Student Affairs Administration Office at 253-566-5115. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.

Tacoma Community College
Human Resources

6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466

The benefits information presented on this page is a summary of College provided benefits. This information is subject to change and is subject to the provisions of any legislative mandates and College policy changes. For more detailed information about Tacoma Community College (TCC) benefits, please do not hesitate to contact the College benefits coordinator at (253) 566-5024.

TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System

Eligibility
Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources.

Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately.

Health Insurance
Medical Plans
Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction.

Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024

Resources:
PEBB Website

Medical Plan information

PEBB Medical Plan Comparison

Dental Plans
Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents.

Resource:
Dental Plan Comparison

Vision
Covered under medical plan chosen.

Waiving Medical Coverage
If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan.

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & Limited Purpose FSA
FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses.

Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is
issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia.

The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses.

Resource:
Navia Benefit Solutions

Life Insurance
Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date.

Basic Coverage: $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s): Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
MetLife Life Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)
Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental LTD: Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
PEBB Long-Term Disability Insurance

PAID LEAVE
Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays.

Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next.
If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays.

Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month.
All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave.

RETIREMENT
Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC.

Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly:

Classified employees and eligible part-time hourly employees must choose between the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3. More information about these plans can be found at this link: Department of Retirement Systems Plans

Faculty:
Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice.

Tacoma Community College

About Company

Associate Dean of Healthcare