Substitute Nurse

The Westwood Public Schools seek subsitute school nurses. The ideal candidate will be DESE certified and flexible.

The Westwood Public Schools is committed to active equity-based, anti-racist education and the creation of a welcoming and inclusive school community in partnership with parents and community members.  

Nature & Scope

The school nurse provides comprehensive nursing for all students. The school nurse should be experienced in development and understanding of 504 plans.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Expertly provides complex comprehensive assessments; displays advanced clinical knowledge when establishing a plan of care; observes and documents student responses; evaluates data to revise the plan.
• Conducts detailed and individualized assessment of student needs, analyzes the results and shares it with colleagues, students and parents appropriately.
• Ensures that medications are administered by designated individuals and release forms are signed and appropriately stored. Shares knowledge of medication and importance of compliance with students.
• Is successful in promoting wellness through classroom presentations that inspire students to assume active roles in furthering a healthy lifestyle in the school.
• Effectively plans and implements lessons/supports that set clear and high expectations and make knowledge, information and/or supports accessible for all students.
• Individually and with colleagues, develops strategies and actions that contribute to the learning and productive behavior of all students at the school.
• Develops plans for many emergency situations. Ensures student and staff understanding of plans in case of emergencies.
• Continually seeks ways to improve the delivery of healthcare and makes changes as needed in response to student, parent and/or teacher input.
• Initiates collaboration with classroom teachers, offering suggestions and additional resources when appropriate.
• Proactively consults and advocates for students with administrators, teachers and support personnel.
• Reports, records and documentation are detailed, accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Makes perceptive and accurate reflections on practice, citing specific examples. Draws on an extensive repertoire to suggest alternative strategies to improve delivery of healthcare.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

MA DESE license school nurse
RN with previous pediatric experience for a K - 5 elementary school
Has taken continuing education courses in areas relevant to licensure and/or certification.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, SKILLS

• Demonstrates deep and thorough understanding of medical knowledge and nursing techniques.
• Displays accurate knowledge of the typical developmental characteristics of the age group and exceptions to the general patterns; understands the extent to which individual students follow the general patterns.
• Has extensive knowledge of governmental regulations and resources for students, including those available through the school, in the district and in the community.
• Frequently contributes valuable ideas and expertise to teacher teams, meetings and committees to further the school’s mission.
• Assumes a leadership role with colleagues.
• Communicates respectfully and proactively with parents; is sensitive to diverse family and community values and beliefs.
• Is proactive and resourceful in providing thorough information to families about the delivery of healthcare as a whole.
• Promptly and frequently involves all parents, even those who are hard to reach, in supporting and caring for students with health-related concerns.
• Deals immediately and successfully with parent concerns and makes parents feel welcome.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Establishes respect and rapport with students so that they seek out the nurse, reflecting a high degree of comfort and trust in the student-nurse relationship.
• Guides culture in the school towards health and wellness and shares knowledge with teachers, staff and students.
• Organizes office efficiently and appropriately for planned activities. Medications are properly stored and well organized.
• Presents as a consummate professional in words, action and appearance.
• Is invariably ethical, honest and transparent, uses impeccable judgment and respects confidentiality.

JOB ENVIRONMENT

Work takes place in classrooms and other building rooms/areas, including offices, auditorium, gym, lunchroom and hallways, within a school building setting, primarily indoors with some outdoor duties (such as recess). Job takes place in a high-performing school district with high expectations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires sufficient vision to read printed documents and to view detail on a computer screen for extended periods.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, and reaching, as well as carrying and occasionally lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversation, on the telephone, and in the classroom.
• Ability to hear sounds clearly up to twenty feet.
• Travel among buildings may be required. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Westwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status.