DEPARTMENT: Nursing

REPORTS TO: Sr Nursing Administrator

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION:
Full time School Nurse position, REQUIRING FIVE EXTRA DAYS, to be used as needed program coverage during the summer, for a Western MA Regional School Nurse Consultant. (Starting at Year 2 an increase in number of days worked could be required due to evolving program requirements of the Regional Consultant position). This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and leadership development. The regional consultant (RC) works closely with the Springfield Public Schools Nursing Team, as well as with the school health services unit of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and other regional consultant colleagues.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Identify and provide support to all Model Comprehensive School Health Service (CSHS) programs, Affiliated programs and all other public schools including charter schools and collaborative programs as well as non-public schools in the EOHHS region assigned to the program. Provide consultation and technical assistance to these programs (including their own host district), as needed. This should include telephone consultation, meetings and site visits. Consultation content areas may include but not be limited to: clinical services, leadership development, policy and program development, budgeting, etc.

2. Schedule a minimum of three meetings annually (a minimum of five hours in duration) within the region for all Model CSHS programs, Affiliated schools/districts and all other public and non-public school nurse managers to provide networking and consultation in areas such as clinical services, leadership development, policy development, the role of the nurse manager, emergency preparedness planning, data collection, budget, funding opportunities, nursing practice issues, etc. Please note: The MDPH School Health Unit staff should be invited to these meetings.

3. Make site visits to all CSHS programs at least annually; for programs with new leadership, this should be done quarterly. Provide management, financial and program consultation on CSHS grant funds, including review of annual budget expenditures.

4. Explore common issues and resources in the region, such as school nursing workforce development, leadership skills, etc

5. Represent school health on the regional emergency planning committees and other committees/coalitions as appropriate.

6. Collaborate with both local and "regional" primary care providers (PCPs) and other providers to identify issues related to providing and linking healthcare systems with school health services.

7. Collaborate with state agencies serving children in the region, e.g., Department of Mental Health, Department of Children and Families, etc.

8. Establish communication systems to meet the needs of the specific region. This may include listservs, discussion boards, etc. Regional Consultants are expected to maintain these communication systems and moderate them regularly. Communication systems should support both learning across programs in the same region as well as provide a mechanism for all schools to communicate with DPH and for DPH to provide time-sensitive information to all schools. The DPH School Health Unit staff should be included in all group discussions.

9. Attend all required CSHS meetings, including Regional Consultant and CSHS Evaluation meetings as organized by the Department.

10. Attend and participate in delivering content in all DPH mandated training programs annually, including Foundations of School Nursing Practice, Medication Administration, Health Screening Programs, Leadership trainings, etc.

11. As appropriate, work with the Boston University School Health Institute for Education and Leadership Development (SHIELD) to provide attendees of professional development programs with professional development points (PDP's) or continuing nursing education units (CNE's); programs must not duplicate the role of SHIELD.

12. Advise the MDPH on issues relating to child health and developing the school health service system across the Commonwealth. This consultation will include the School Health Unit and involve serving on local, regional and statewide committees.

13. Serve on the DPH CSHS Evaluation Committee and provide all districts in the region with assistance to complete CQI projects.

Regional Consultants will serve as both facilitators and consultants to all quality improvement projects that are conducted both locally and regionally.

Evaluation will include the outcomes of both regional consultation and technical assistance provided to all schools within the defined region, as well as participation at all DPH mandated programs.

14. Agree to join with the other Regional Consultant school districts to develop an article on regional Consultant schools for publication in years 2-3 of the contract.

15. Complete and submit to the MDPH an annual Performance Requirements/Program Outcomes narrative report. Funded CSHS-RC programs must report performance measure data to DPH annually. Performance measures will include, at a minimum:

Conduct at least one regional performance improvement project annually.

Complete a site visit to 100 percent of all Model CSHS programs within the region annually.

Consult via telephone or electronically with all Affiliated CSHS programs at least three times annually.

Conduct a minimum of three regional meetings attended by at least 75 percent of all Model CSHS and Affiliated programs.

Participate in 90 percent of all mandated DPH programs including statewide meetings.

Serve on the CSHS Evaluation Team with monthly attendance at 90 percent of meetings.

Please note: the DPH School Health Unit will continue to assume responsibility for consulting on regulatory/legal issues pertaining to school health. The DPH School Health Unit will also maintain responsibility for the evaluation of the Regional Consultant program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:

Skill in detail-oriented planning and able to set priorities, objectives and meet deadlines

Ability to work independently or as a member of a team

Ability to apply listening skills, work under pressure, address conflict and solve problems

Promote positive linkage and referral mechanisms to community providers for a range of services dealing with children

Assist with ongoing continuing education

Provides telephone support for Western MA school nurses

Facilitates implementation of new information

Support with oversight of training and implementation of the Medicaid billing expansion program.

EDUCATIONAL & JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

BSN in Nursing (MSN preferred)

Current license as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts

3-5 years of experience in school nursing, in either public or private school settings preferred.

Licensed or eligible for MDESE licensure as a School Nurse

Valid driver's license- Ability to travel locally and within the State

Computer skills

Current certification in CPR/AED.

Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.

LIST ANY PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

No lifting, bending or twisting restrictions. Must be able to ambulate quickly and walk up four flights of stairs.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen O'Sullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 011103, 413-787-7100, ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen O'Sullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.



Primary Location: School Health Services
Salary Range: Based on collective bargaining unit salary schedule
Shift Type: FT - Full Year

Job Contact Information:

Name: Jeanne Clancy
Title: Senior Administrator of Nursing
Phone: 413-787-7100 Ext. 55615
Email: clancyj@springfieldpublicschools.com