What are the responsibilities and job description for the Nurse Liaison for Children with Special Health Care Needs ( SY26-27) position at Boston Public Schools?
Reports to: Senior Director of Health Services
Position Title: Nurse Liaison for Children with Special Health Care Needs
General Description:
The Nurse Liaison for Children with Special Health Care Needs will ensure that students with complex medical conditions are able to safely enter, transition, and remain in Boston Public Schools with appropriate health supports. The Nurse Liaison facilitates coordination among families, healthcare providers, hospitals, early intervention programs, community agencies, and school-based staff to support equitable access to education. This position aligns with Boston Public Schools’ Opportunity and Achievement Gap Policy and its commitment to becoming a culturally and linguistically sustaining, anti-racist institution, ensuring that students with special healthcare needs can fully engage in learning and thrive in the school community.
Position Summary and General Responsibilities:
The Nurse Liaison serves as the primary clinical connector between families, care providers, agencies, and schools for students with special healthcare needs. The Nurse Liaison will:
The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.
Position Title: Nurse Liaison for Children with Special Health Care Needs
General Description:
The Nurse Liaison for Children with Special Health Care Needs will ensure that students with complex medical conditions are able to safely enter, transition, and remain in Boston Public Schools with appropriate health supports. The Nurse Liaison facilitates coordination among families, healthcare providers, hospitals, early intervention programs, community agencies, and school-based staff to support equitable access to education. This position aligns with Boston Public Schools’ Opportunity and Achievement Gap Policy and its commitment to becoming a culturally and linguistically sustaining, anti-racist institution, ensuring that students with special healthcare needs can fully engage in learning and thrive in the school community.
Position Summary and General Responsibilities:
The Nurse Liaison serves as the primary clinical connector between families, care providers, agencies, and schools for students with special healthcare needs. The Nurse Liaison will:
- Conduct assessments and develop nursing care plans to inform appropriate placement, supports, and services to Boston Public Students and students who are residents of Boston.
- Collaborate with families, hospitals, early intervention programs, care providers, school nurses, and central office staff to ensure continuity of care.
- Participate in IEP meetings to advocate for necessary nursing services and accommodations.
- Support the contracting process and oversight of agency and independent nurse services to ensure quality and compliance.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Director of Health Services.
- Assesment of identified students through home, school, and hospital visits, as well as, obtaining and reviewing medical records and holding discussions with family and care providers.
- Request and review medical records from providers and specialists using the appropriate HIPAA/FERPA authorization forms for the release of medical information.
- Enter medical information, nursing summaries, and final reports into the electronic health record system while maintaining the highest level of confidentiality, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and FERPA requirements.
- Development of the nursing assessment student profile with recommendations for nursing care during school hours including transportation to and from school.
- Collaboration with the BPS Office of Specialized Services and BPS Welcome Services staff in identifying the appropriate student assignment.
- Participation in IEP and Care Provider meetings to present nursing assessment and recommend appropriate support for the student with special health care needs.
- Collaboration with the school nurse with regards to the development of the Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHP) within the electronic health record system.
- Coordination with nursing agencies with regard to the provision of 1:1 nursing services
- Documentation of all activities within the electronic health record system
- Provide the Senior Director and Assistant Director of Health Services with monthly reports on completed meetings and upcoming assessments.
- Performs other duties as requested by the Senior Director of Health Services.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse License
- MA Department of Education School Nurse Licensure, which requires a Masters degree in Nursing, Public Health, or National Certification
- Current certification in CPR, First Aid, & AED
- Demonstrated knowledge of the impact of the stresses of racism and poverty on students and their families served within urban school systems
- Minimum three (3) years working in an urban school setting with diverse populations with proven effective and culturally responsive experience serving Black/ African American and Latinx populations and ability to lead others in conversations of race, racism and culture
- Demonstrate capability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, such as school based staff, central administration staff, families, youth, community members, community agencies and other essential partners while remaining student-centered, prioritizing racial equity and managing competing demands
- Growth, problem-solving, and team-oriented mindset
- Clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families in a school health setting
- Clinical experience working with children with special health care needs, including those assisted by medical technology.
- Experience working with external health agencies and hospitals
- BPS has a strong preference for linguistic diversity and we believe that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages:Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali.
The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.