The posting
The School Nurse provides comprehensive health services to high school students to promote health, safety, wellness, and success in the school environment. The nurse provides direct nursing care, health assessments, first aid, medication administration, and support for students with acute and chronic health conditions. The School Nurse maintains accurate and confidential health records, coordinates health services, promotes preventive care, and supports compliance with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) regulations, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements, and district policies. The nurse collaborates with school administrators, faculty, staff, families, healthcare providers, and community agencies to maintain a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment, including academic classrooms, career and technical education shops, laboratories, and other specialized learning environments.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Provide nursing assessments, triage, first aid, and appropriate care for students experiencing illness, injury, or other health concerns during the school day. • Respond promptly to medical emergencies, implement appropriate emergency procedures, and activate emergency medical services when indicated. • Administer medications and prescribed treatments in accordance with applicable regulations, healthcare provider orders, and district policies. • Develop, implement, and monitor individualized healthcare plans and emergency action plans for students with identified medical needs. • Monitor and support students with chronic health conditions, including asthma, diabetes, seizure disorders, severe allergies, and other medical conditions. • Implement infection prevention and control practices and follow applicable communicable disease protocols. • Communicate with parents and guardians regarding student health concerns, treatment plans, medication needs, and follow-up care. • Refer students to appropriate healthcare providers and community resources when indicated. • Collaborate with career and technical education instructors and administrators to promote student health and safety in technical shops, laboratories, and other specialized learning environments. • Assess and respond to injuries and health concerns associated with vocational and technical training activities and support the implementation of appropriate health and safety procedures. • Coordinate health accommodations and return-to-school or return-to-program planning for students when indicated. • Participate in school emergency preparedness planning, safety drills, and emergency response activities. • Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential student health records, medication administration records, immunization documentation, screening results, and other required health information. • Conduct and coordinate mandated student health screenings and follow-up activities in accordance with applicable Massachusetts requirements. • Review student health information and communicate relevant medical needs to authorized school personnel while maintaining confidentiality and protecting student privacy. • Follow applicable DESE and DPH regulations, district policies, medication administration procedures, and professional nursing standards. • Complete required nursing documentation, incident reports, and other health-related records. • Promote student wellness through health education, preventive care, and guidance that supports healthy decision-making and overall well-being. • Collaborate with school counselors, adjustment counselors, psychologists, social workers, and other student support personnel to address student health and wellness needs. • Identify health concerns that may affect attendance, educational participation, or academic performance and assist in coordinating appropriate interventions. • Participate in Section 504 planning, Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and multidisciplinary student support meetings as appropriate. • Advocate for equitable access to health services and appropriate educational accommodations for students with medical needs. • Provide guidance and training to school personnel regarding student-specific medical needs, emergency procedures, medication protocols, and health-related policies, as appropriate. • Exercise sound clinical judgment and uphold professional nursing ethics, standards of practice, and appropriate professional boundaries. • Maintain current knowledge of school nursing practices, applicable laws and regulations, and evidence-based clinical procedures. • Perform other related duties as assigned. • Current, valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. • Massachusetts DESE School Nurse license or eligibility for licensure in accordance with applicable state requirements. • Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing, as required for the applicable DESE School Nurse licensure pathway. • Ability and willingness to complete all applicable DESE School Nurse licensure requirements, including required coursework, school nursing orientation, testing, and other requirements applicable to the license sought. • Current CPR/AED certification and other emergency response training as required by the district. • Demonstrated knowledge of nursing assessment, triage, first aid, medication administration, emergency response, infection prevention, and management of acute and chronic health conditions. • Ability to develop, implement, and monitor individualized healthcare plans and emergency action plans and coordinate appropriate health services for students. • Knowledge of student health documentation, confidentiality requirements, applicable Massachusetts school health regulations, and professional nursing standards. • Ability to recognize and respond appropriately to student health concerns in academic classrooms, technical shops, laboratories, and other specialized learning environments. • Demonstrated clinical assessment, critical-thinking, problem-solving, communication, documentation, and organizational skills. • Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound clinical judgment, and work effectively with adolescents, families, school personnel, healthcare providers, and community agencies. • Ability to manage competing priorities and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations in a busy school environment. • Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills and the ability to establish and maintain a safe, supportive, inclusive, and professional school health environment. • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through compassionate, respectful, and culturally responsive care for all students. • Authorization to work in the United States, as required by applicable law.
Previous experience in school nursing, pediatric nursing, emergency nursing, community health, or another relevant clinical setting is preferred. Experience managing chronic health conditions, medication administration, emergency response, individualized healthcare plans, electronic health records, or health and safety needs in vocational and technical education settings is also preferred.
Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods; perform nursing assessments and provide direct student care; bend, kneel, reach, and move throughout the school environment; and assist students during medical emergencies as necessary. Ability to respond promptly to medical emergencies and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity, coordination, and physical stamina, with reasonable accommodation where required.
The position may involve exposure to illness, bodily fluids, and other routine healthcare-related risks.
Regular attendance, punctuality, and reliability are essential functions of this position and are critical to maintaining consistent student health services and supporting the safe and effective operation of the school.
This description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or requirements.
Responsibilities may be modified or supplemented by district administration in accordance with applicable policies, laws, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
