Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Retention Specialist identifies, develops, and implements analytical tools to assess attrition, develops and implements effective strategies to achieve an increase in student, admissions, retention and assist in decreasing attrition of students in the nursing programs.  The Program Retention Specialist must interact individually and in group settings with all levels of nursing students.  The person must collaborate with program director, faculty, and staff to develop individualized student plans to enhance student success and provide support for special projects relevant to increasing student enrollment and retention.  The Program Retention Specialist is responsible for data collection for reports: local, state, and national.  The Program Retention Specialist must be a dynamic individual with interpersonal communication skills that can motivate and guide student success.  The person must be able to demonstrate high levels on initiative and motivation to assist students in need.  The Program Retention Specialist must have excellent public relations, organizational, and decision-making skills.  Thr person must be able to work independently and in a team environment on projects/assignments. The Program Retention Specialist must be proficient in Microsoft Work, Excel, Adobe and Power Point programs with excellent analytical and verbal/written skills.
 
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities

1. Works in collaboration with faculty to identify high-risk students for early intervention and provides appropriate referrals with follow up to Laredo College support services. 
2. Provides students with innovative progressive motivational information through lectures, focus group interactions, activities, and/or individual sessions based on students study skills, content area, test taking skills, and educational counseling objectives. 
3. Communicates and provides feedback to course instructors and students regarding students progress. 
4. Communicates with students on a regular basis in person, by PASPort, e-mail, or by phone. 
5. Provides ongoing advisement to students interested in the nursing programs. 
6. Maintains contact with current students in an effort to promote retention and educational continuity. 
7. Provides mid-semester, end-of-the semester retention, and attrition reports to faculty, Dean of Health Sciences, an Nursing Programs Director.  In addition, provides reports as requested by Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing Programs Director. 
8. Participates in assessment implementation, and evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness measures and Program Outcomes by tracking students/chorts performance throughout the program. 
9. Leads the admissions process and committee with assistance from the Nursing Programs Director. 
10. Oversee student registration and use of all nursing education learning systems required in the program. 
11. Perform other duties as assigned. 

NOTICE:  Required Documents
To be considered for this position, you are required to upload your resume and unofficial transcript(s).  In addition, if a license or certificate is required for this position, upload proof of your current license/certificate.
 
Required:

• Bachelors Degree preferably in nursing RN, or VN or in a related health field in counseling, or business.  If the individual is a nurse they are required to have an active Nursing License. 
• Educational experience preferred in team-leading capacity.
• License requirements include a valid Texas Nursing License as a Registered Nurse if applicable.

• Masters Degree or Bachelors of Science in Nursing
• Prior experience working with adult students.

• The Program Retention Specialist must have good writing skills, vocabulary skills, and computer skills.  
• Use current technology to enhance effectiveness, including but not limited to computer-assisted instructional programs, and audiovisual equipment.
• In addition, be willing to learn and apply any new technology needed to enhance learning.
• The Program Retention Specialist must be willing to work days, evenings, and weekends as needed.

Supervision Exercised   
Oversee students in the classroom, lab, simulation, and clinical sites. 
 
Supervision Received
Program Director and Assistant Professor of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing Programs 
 
Physical Requirements  
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  
The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch.  
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move items weighing up to 50 pounds.   
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Work Environment 
Work is performed in a standard office environment.    
Work-inside a well-lighted and air-conditioned area most of the time.  
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
 
Safety  
Required to work safely and follow safety rules.    
Report unsafe working conditions and behavior.  
Take reasonable and prudent actions to prevent others from engaging in unsafe practices.
 
Special Conditions 
Immediate supervisor may assign other duties.  
May be required to work outside regular working hours, as needed.  
May be required to work at a different college work site or campus as needed.
 
EEO Statement 
In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Laredo College is open to all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, or national origin who are otherwise eligible for admission as students. Furthermore, Laredo College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and no applicant or employee will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability or national origin. This institution will not enter knowingly into any contractual agreement for services or supplies with any firm failing to follow fair employment practices. 
 
Foreign Degrees 
Foreign degrees require an evaluation for United States equivalency from an approved stated education agency or having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Transcripts issued outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached to your online application at the time of applying. For your convenience, we have provided the following links to assist you in complying with this requirement. However, you may use any other certified transcript evaluation service. http://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Certification/Out-of-state_Certification/Foreign_Credential_Evaluation_Services/ http://www.naces.org/members.htm
 
Disclaimer 
The above description is an overview of the job. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Duties and responsibilities may change with business needs. LC reserves the right to add, change, amend, or delete portions of this job description at any time, with or without notice. Employees may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made by LC as its discretion to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.