Position Description

The school nurse is considered a health leader in the school community and oversees all school health policies and programs there. The school nurse provides expertise and oversight of school health services and promotes health education. Because healthy children are successful learners, school nurses advocate for students' physical, emotional, mental, and social health. School nurses routinely perform the following duties using their clinical knowledge, skills, and judgment.

Duties

• Works under the general supervision of the Superintendent/Receiver, Chief of Pupil Services, and Director of Health, Wellness, and Nursing.
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively with the School Building Principal and Administration.
• Works with a supportive team (orientation and training provided).
• Collaborates and conducts state-mandated programs such as screening programs.
• Maintains up-to-date electronic school records that include pertinent information according to the Standards of Practice.
• Assesses and evaluates students' health, pertinent family history, and home factors, and counsels about health problems and issues.
• Develops an individual health care plan as needed and coordinates with the other providers and school personnel.
• Provides medically prescribed interventions, medication administration, and daily care for ill or injured children.
• Provides emergency care for all students on school premises in the event of injury or sudden illness.
• Provides emergency health care and referral to staff.
• Manages the medication administration plan in the school.
• Notifies the Director of Health, Wellness, and Nursing of immediate and potential health-related problems.
• Acts as a resource in health education and health promotion to school personnel, students, and families.
• Provides information about health and disease prevention 
• Initiates, promotes, maintains, and implements programs to recognize, prevent, and control disease.
• Uses community resources to refer students with unmet health needs, including the need for a primary care provider.
• Serves as liaison between school personnel, family, and community healthcare providers to ensure a healthy school environment. 
• Performs related duties as assigned and as needed.

Qualifications 

1. Must have a current valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in Massachusetts
2. Experience as a Registered Nurse in child health, community health, or other relevant clinical nursing setting preferred
3. Current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation
4. Strong written and verbal communication skills; excellent teamwork skills
5. Driver’s license and own transportation required

Required license(s)

• Valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
• Current CPR/AED
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Nurse (Levels: All) certified or certifiable (DOE certification eligibility currently requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree in Nursing)