Director of Nurses

REPORTS TO: Superintendent of Schools TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 1.0 FTE SALARY AND BENEFITS: Competitive Position Overview The Director of Nursing provides strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for the district's comprehensive school health services program. The Director ensures that the district complies with all federal, state, and local health regulations while supervising nursing personnel, managing health-related budgets, and designing policies that foster a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all students. This role requires strong communication skills and strict adherence to ethics. Key Responsibilities Clinical Leadership & Policy Management ●Protocol Development: Formulate, implement, and review district-wide health protocols—including immunization compliance, medication administration, infectious disease control, and emergency care plans. ●Emergency Response: Lead the formulation and implementation of school-wide injury prevention protocols and collaborate with school administration to update DESE-required Medical Emergency Plans every three years. ●Specialized Health Consultations: Serve as the district’s clinical advisor for medically complex students, attending 504 and IEP meetings as necessary to structure health accommodations. ●Public Health Liaison: Act as the primary liaison between the district and the School Physician, local Board of Health (BOH), and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). Personnel Supervision & Professional Development ●Staff Management: Oversee the recruitment, interviewing, hiring, assignment, and onboarding of all full-time, part-time, and substitute nursing personnel. ●Performance Appraisals: Formally evaluate all school nurses using the MA DESE Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) Rubric, tracking individual educator goals and professional development. ●Continuing Education: Plan, coordinate, and deliver state-mandated professional development programs and clinical training for nursing staff, keeping them abreast of emerging school health trends. State Compliance, Mandated Screenings, & Data Systems ●State Screenings: Coordinate and review state-mandated school health screenings (vision, hearing, postural, BMI, and SBIRT), ensuring accurate data submission to the MDPH. ●Medication Program Signatory: Register with the MDPH for annual authorization of Epinephrine auto-injectors and Narcan delegation programs for unlicensed personnel, monitoring all training logs. ●Medical Clearance: Partner with the district’s enrollment/welcome center to oversee medical clearances, ensuring all incoming students meet Massachusetts immunization mandates prior to attendance. ●Electronic Health Records: Direct the operational implementation of the district's electronic health records system (e.g., SNAP), maintaining strict compliance with FERPA and HIPAA guidelines. Operational & Fiscal Administration ●Budget Administration: Prepare, present, and monitor the annual health services department budget, overseeing the procurement of medical supplies and annual calibration of medical equipment. ●Grant Coordination: Author and manage state and federal health-related grants, including the Comprehensive School Health Grant, fulfilling all compliance reporting. ●Medicaid Billing: Supervise the district's School-Based Medicaid Reimbursement program, ensuring accurate documentation within health software for maximised district reimbursement. Qualifications & Requirements ●Education: Minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution. A Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), Public Health, Education, or Health Administration is highly preferred. ●Licensure: ○Current, valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. ○MA DESE Professional Support Personnel License as a School Nurse (All Levels). ○Preferred: MA DESE Supervisor/Director Administrator License. ●Certifications: Current CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer (BLS) certification. National Certification in School Nursing (NCSN) is strongly preferred. ●Experience: Minimum of 3–5 years of active school nursing experience, accompanied by progressive leadership, supervisory, or program management experience in a public education setting. SALARY:Per Unit B Contract, ARTICLE XXI SALARIES - https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/4813/Mps/8f81364e-01c2-4df6-b7ea-5e3487587719/MEA_Unit_B_CBA_2022-2025.pdf?disposition=inline