Director of Nursing and Health Services

Qualifications:

Licensed by BORN as Registered Nurse

Certified in CPR/AED

Licensed DESE school nurse certification

Licensed or eligible for DESE Director/Supervisor certification

Master's Degree in Nursing

Minimum three years experience as a school nurse

Scope of Responsibilities

The Director of Nursing manages the total school health service program, providing nursing leadership within the school system. They are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the health offices both during the school year and the summer programs. They coordinate hiring and placement of substitutes for absences, professional development, and field trips. They should be passionate about improving education for all learners, be self-directed and be an innovative thinker, continually looking for ways to improve processes, programs and outcomes. The Director develops a needs assessment, plans and implements programs, and provides for continuous quality assurance and evaluation. They coordinate the clinical aspects of the comprehensive school health program, collaborating with other members of the health services and health education team. The Director collaborates with community providers, other community organizations, and coalitions addressing health issues of children and adolescents.

Supervision Received

The Director reports to the Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services as defined in her/his position description, is a member of the school management team, and collaborates with the designated School Physician in developing and implementing the school health service program. The Director is responsible for the Medication Administration registration with the MDPH and medication protocols and procedures.

Supervision Given

The Director supervises and clinically evaluates all clinical nursing staff providing services in the school health program.

• Responsibilities
• Planning
• assumes leadership in the establishment of a school health service advisory committee, consisting of representation from such groups as school administration, faculty, students, parents, and community providers based on needs assessment; develops program goals, objectives, and action steps; and
• coordinates planning with interdisciplinary colleagues in the comprehensive school health education and human services program and community agencies, as appropriate.
• ? Implementation
• employs, orients, assigns, and supervises qualified personnel to implement the school health program;
• participates in the development of an interdisciplinary plan for each building to ensure that students in need of services are identified in a timely manner and appropriate intervention is initiated;
• develops and implements written policies and protocols (with staff assistance) for the clinical services and programs addressing health issues (e.g., immunizations, medication administration, services for children with special health care needs, schoolwide injury prevention programs) and special programs groups (e.g., overweight prevention, asthma management, eating disorders, smoking cessation, violence prevention);
• develops and implements data systems to review trends in health status indicators, make adjustments in the health service program, and provide the required aggregate data for local and state agencies;
• provides clinical consultation to the health education staff, physical educators, special education tem chairs, and other administrative and teaching staff;
• collaborates with administrators and educators in sexual health education, safe and supportive schools, nutrition education and healthy decision-making;
• responsible for monthly Medicaid billing for eligible health services;
• participates in interdisciplinary teams, (e.g., crisis, child abuse, emergency planning) to ensure that integrated systems are in place which address the comprehensive health needs of the student population;
• serves as the school health spokesperson on community initiatives such as skin cancer prevention, opioid prevention, Mass in Motion;
• carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions, prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposure, and hazardous medical waste disposal;
• ensures that there are student emergency care plans in place, which are communicated to all staff and is closely coordinated with community emergency care protocols;
• participates in communitywide bioterrorism and emergency response planning with other members of the multidisciplinary team; provides leadership in the school for emergency preparedness including coordinating ALICE training, education and drills;
• collaborates with other school administrators and teachers to promote a physically and psychologically healthy school environment;
• provides oversight and coordination of SBIRT at middle and high schools;
• promotes positive linkages and referral mechanisms to community providers for a range of services dealing with child and adolescent health;
• seeks opportunities to interpret the health needs of school-age children and adolescents, the goals of the health service program, and the importance of health education to administrators, school committee members, faculty, families, the general community, local and state decision makers, through special reports, the media, health fairs and other special events;
• prepares and administers the health services budget; seeks opportunities to apply for grants and other external sources of funding for the school health service program and provides grant oversight and reporting;
• implements a school health service data system, capable of tracking trends, activities and outcomes;
• uses the media (local cable stations, newspapers, and bulletin) and school health service website to share health promotion information, as well as to interpret the role of the school health service program;
• presents written and oral reports regarding the school health program to the superintendent, school committee, and other stakeholders; and
• seizes opportunities to present the challenges and opportunities of school health to other members of the health care delivery system. ?
• Evaluation
• compiles statistical reports as required by the school system and by state agencies;
• completes ongoing continuous quality improvement programs and adjusts school nursing practice ?based on findings;
• evaluates nursing and other health service staff;
• reviews changing trends in health needs and the outcomes of programs to determine need ?for revision of goals and objectives; and
• develops partnerships with local colleges and universities to (a) provide student practice in the school ?health programs, (b) obtain assistance with continuing education, (c) develop nursing research aimed at enhancing the body of evidence-based practice; and (d) publish in professional journals when possible. ?
• Staff Development
  • implements an ongoing continuing education program for staff to facilitate their meeting of the requirements for licensure through the Massachusetts Department of Education and maintain and expand clinical skills;
  • encourages staff to participate in pertinent conferences and workshops addressing a range of school health issues; and
  • provides ongoing formal and informal feedback to staff about their progress in achieving the goals of the program, encouraging their continued educational and professional development.

Position Type: Full-time

Equal Opportunity Employer
Salem Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws.

Contact Information
Liza Bento, Director of Human Capital
29 Highland Avenue
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
Phone: 978-740-1115
Fax: 978-740-1279
Email: humancapital@salemk12.org