School Nurse-(Cushing)-(SY26-27)

JOB TITLE:  School Nurse

REPORTS TO: Building Principal/ Dept Chair of Nursing & Health Services

POSITION OVERVIEW:

School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that supports student health, safety, and readiness to learn. The school nurse promotes wellness, identifies and mitigates health-related barriers to learning, and contributes to the academic success and lifelong achievement of students.

The registered, certified school nurse provides expert clinical care, health consultation, and leadership within the educational team. The nurse practices in accordance with the Massachusetts Nurse Practice Act and all applicable state and district regulations.

In essence, the MA school nurse is a vital health professional ensuring students are healthy, safe, and ready to learn, managing both acute and chronic health needs within the school community. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clinical Care & Health Management

• Direct Patient Care: Administer medications, provide first aid, manage chronic conditions, provide emergency care, and assist with health protocols.
• Assess student health concerns, provide evidence-based nursing care and interventions, and coordinate care with families, healthcare providers, school partners, and community agencies.
• Develop, implement, and update Individual Health Care Plans (IHCPs), Allergy Action Plans (AAPs), and Emergency Health Care Plans (ECPs).
• Manage building-based medication programs. Administer medications and treatments in compliance with Massachusetts regulations, Board of Registration in Nursing guidelines, and Scituate Public Schools protocols.
• Ensure building-based medication administration program requirements are met, including completing mandatory medication administration courses.
• Provide staff training and oversight of building-based medication delegation.
• Manage communicable disease prevention, exclusion, and readmission in accordance with state requirements, including monitoring immunization compliance.
• Conduct mandated student health screenings in accordance with MA regulations, and ensure appropriate follow-up.

Health Records & Documentation

• Maintain accurate, confidential student health records in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA, and district policies and protocols using electronic or traditional methods.
• Document all health office encounters, including assessment, intervention, and disposition.
• Maintain confidential faculty health records if needed.
• Obtain and maintain medication orders and records. 
• Complete student health reports in accordance with MA DPH / School Health regulations

Collaboration & Consultation

• Collaborate with the school physician, school psychologist, counselors, and other staff to support student health and safety. Identify students at risk for physical and psychosocial problems, communicate health needs to other school personnel as appropriate, and establish a referral system using both internal and community resources.
• Participate as a member of Student Support Teams, IEP Teams, 504 Teams, or other appropriate teams, providing health expertise, identifying health-related needs for inclusion in the individual education plan, and providing recommendations.
• Partner with health education staff and support health-related lessons as needed.
• Collaborate with nutrition services staff to support students with allergies, dietary needs, and chronic health conditions.
• Partner with the Nursing & Health Services Department Chair to manage the building-based health office budget and order supplies in line with district protocols.
• Communicate effectively with parents, staff, and administrators regarding student health needs and school health policies and protocols.
• Facilitate staff first aid and emergency response training biannually (Epinephrine auto-injectors, signs and symptoms of diabetes, emergency seizure care, Stop The Bleed, etc.).

Professional Practice

• Demonstrate current knowledge in such areas as
• professional issues in school nursing 
• school and community health 
• communicable disease control 
• growth and development 
• health assessment, special health conditions, both chronic and acute 
• injury prevention and emergency care 
• health counseling, health education and promotion 
• current adolescent issues 
• Maintain required professional licensures, certifications, and continuing education units.

 Additional Responsibilities

• Support emergency preparedness and response within the school setting.
• Support health offices district-wide, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
• This position involves fast-paced situations, potential exposure to pathogens/bodily fluids, and requires mental acuity for assessments and decision-making.

QUALIFICATION-REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited institution.
• Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse (RN) license.
• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) School Nurse  Certification 
• Minimum of three years of nursing experience in pediatrics, public health, emergency department, etc.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification from a recognized provider

QUALIFICATION-PREFERRED:

• Stop the Bleed certification, or the expectation to obtain certification within 3 months of hire 

TERMS: This is a 10-month STA Union contract position, based on the school year.

The Scituate Public Schools have a commitment to maintaining an educational environment and workplace that establishes programs and support mechanisms to recruit and retain staff and ensure appropriate staffing levels that meet the needs of all students through a highly qualified and diverse workforce. Candidates who have a strong commitment to active antiracism are encouraged to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Bigotry and intolerance, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, homeless status or disability are not tolerated and where any form of intimidation, threat, coercion and/or harassment that insults the dignity of others and interferes with their freedom to learn or work is unacceptable.