What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substitute School Nurse position at William Penn Charter School?
Reports to: Current Nursing Staff
William Penn Charter School is an all-gender, Quaker, coeducational, pre-K-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.
As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.
The Health Office is seen as an integral part of the educational student support program by promoting health and wellness and attending to the daily health needs of students. The Health Office provides quality care stemming from our core values and practices as a Quaker institution.
Position Summary
William Penn Charter School seeks Substitute School Nurses to begin in the 2026-2027 academic year. The Substitute School Nurse provides nursing coverage on an as needed basis to support the health office during the academic school day. This includes providing episodic nursing care, emergency care, health promotion, and prevention education for grades pre-K through 12.
Essential Functions
William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
William Penn Charter School is an all-gender, Quaker, coeducational, pre-K-12 independent, day school in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia. Established in 1689 by William Penn and members of the Religious Society of Friends, Penn Charter is a community guided by Quaker testimonies and the central belief that there is "that of God" in every person. A school community that honors difference, Penn Charter seeks to be a place where diversity is understood, represented and valued. Our curriculum embraces a plurality of cultures and celebrates an array of voices, instilling in us a deeper understanding and empathy for individuals in this community and the world.
As our mission states, we value scholarship and inquiry. With excellence as our standard, we challenge students in a vigorous program of academics, arts and athletics. Through global connections, civic engagement and a focus on environmental sustainability, we inspire students to be thinkers, collaborators, innovators and leaders. We educate students to live lives that make a difference.
The Health Office is seen as an integral part of the educational student support program by promoting health and wellness and attending to the daily health needs of students. The Health Office provides quality care stemming from our core values and practices as a Quaker institution.
Position Summary
William Penn Charter School seeks Substitute School Nurses to begin in the 2026-2027 academic year. The Substitute School Nurse provides nursing coverage on an as needed basis to support the health office during the academic school day. This includes providing episodic nursing care, emergency care, health promotion, and prevention education for grades pre-K through 12.
Essential Functions
- Support and implement policies and procedures relating to nursing services
- Apply federal and state laws and regulations pertinent to school nursing services
- Apply confidentiality and privacy laws (HIPAA/FERPA) to nursing services.
- Maintain working relationships and clear communication with school
- Maintain electronic records and documentation to comply with school policies and
- Administer nursing care, basic first aid, and emergency response
- Assess and manage acute and/or chronic illness and injury
- Coordinate health care services between students and family
- Perform organizational and administrative tasks associated with the Health Office
- Administer approved prescription and non-prescription medications according to PA
- Safely secure all medication within the Health Office
- Communicate with athletic trainers regarding health issues with students as needed
- Assist with yearly health appraisals of students in grades K-5 in vision, hearing, weight/height
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice both in their approach to the work and in building relationships with students and other community members
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding school health, illness/injury prevention, and other areas under the responsibility
- Knowledge and ability to implement all Health Office protocols and policies
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Flexible approach and ability to organize multiple tasks, meeting office demands
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with internal and external members of the Penn Charter community
- Proficient use of computer software applications
- Ability to walk, stand, or kneel for extended periods of time
- Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
- Must be able to carry, pull, push, and lift equipment necessary for care
- Current license in Pennsylvania as a registered nurse
- CPR/AED/FA for Professional Rescuer certification- renewed every two years
- Required to carry malpractice insurance
- Experience in school or pediatric nursing
- Able to make accurate decisions about medical/nursing priorities
- Able to determine when intervention from other health care professionals is necessary and/or emergency transport to the hospital is required
- Typical academic school day hours are 7:45 am-3:00 pm, but the schedule and/or responsibilities
William Penn Charter School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.