Lead Nurse Role

Who Are We? Prospect Hill Academy Charter School is a highly successful urban PK-12 public school located in Somerville and Cambridge. We enroll over 1,100 students from cities and towns throughout the greater Boston metro area. Our inclusive and restorative school celebrates and serves a diverse community - with 87% BIPOC, 27% ELL, and 16% of our students qualifying for special education services. Our mission is to prepare all students for success in college, foster responsible citizenship, and inspire a lifelong love of learning - as we believe academic achievement opens doors and creates opportunities for our students.

We center the values of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our work. Our approach to instruction is founded on culturally sustaining, inquiry-based, and student-centered practices. To invest in the growth of our educators, we offer comprehensive professional development, instructional coaching, and mentorship. Our campuses foster a collaborative team environment with extraordinary educators who are committed to ongoing learning, reflection, and professional growth.

The PHA School Nurse Leader supervises and clinically evaluates all clinical nursing staff providing services in the school health program. The School Nurse Leader refines and develops professional skills through in-service training, professional reading and continuing education and supports the nursing team in professional development. Demonstrates leadership qualities with the ability to complete record keeping in an accurate and precise manner. The candidate will have strong computer skills plus excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with students, parents/guardians, staff, administration, and the nursing team. Key Responsibilities

• Provide Health Services for All Students
• Provide assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management, and referral for appropriate medical care of students with acute or chronic health conditions.
• Supervise prescribed medical treatments and medication administration in accordance with all regulations.
• Coordinate the provision of first aid supplies.
• Coordinate and conduct vision and hearing screenings; coordinate dental screenings.
• Participate as a crisis team member and coordinate emergency services for students and staff in the event of sudden illness or injury.
• Participate in the development of IEPs and 504 plans to address individual needs
• Manage Health Office Procedures and Protocols and Nursing Staff
• Monitor compliance with current state immunization and health assessment requirements.
• Develop/implement a medication protocol to safely store, administer, document, and monitor the effectiveness of medication given at school
• Monitor compliance with current state regulations when dealing with scholars with acute conditions.
• Manage other full time and part time Nursing Staff
• Monitor the spread of contagious illness and draft management plans as necessary
• Assist in the development of all health-related policies and procedures
• Build relationships with other medical providers in Cambridge/Somerville and surrounding communities
• Establishes and maintains relationship with Consulting Physician
• Train staff as needed on emergency response including anaphylaxis, CPR, etc.
• Manage State Reporting
• Prepare health reports for the Department of Education and Department of Public Health.
• Attends all Regional and Statewide CSHS meetings.
• Participates in ongoing professional development and education provided by the School Health Institute for Education and Leadership Development (SHIELD).
• Orients new nursing staff and per-diem nursing staff
• Coordinates the delivery of nurse services
• Determines nursing needs and recommends appropriate nursing staffing in collaboration with Director of Student Services
• Coordinates substitute nursing coverage
• Reviews and approves nurse requests for time off, reimbursement, expenditures, etc. with Principals

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required
• At least two years of experience working with children and families in a school or community setting
• Must hold a current registered nursing license to practice in Massachusetts
• Licensed as a school nurse by DESE or eligible for licensure
• Humility, resilience, and a hunger to learn and grow
• Proficiency with SNAP electronic health record (EHR) software
• Strong team orientation
• Bilingual candidates highly encouraged to apply

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing, walking, reaching with hands and arms to stoop, kneel, or crouch
• Frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or moving up to 25 pounds
• Occasional use of hands to handle or feel
• Occasional climbing or balancing
• Regular speaking and hearing; specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception