FRAMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & WELLNESS 

TITLE:

District Resource Nurse

POSITION SUMMARY:

To provide direct support to students by assisting them to maintain, improve or adapt to their health status. To contribute significantly to the attainment of optimal health and educational potential of each student, in order to deliver Framingham Public Schools’ high expectations for achievement, equal access to high levels of instruction, the achievement of academic proficiency for all students, and the closing of the achievement gap among subgroups within the schools.  

OUR MISSION:

Framingham Public Schools is committed to excellence for all students. A core value, embedded in the district’s philosophy and goals, is that “all children will learn”. Offering equitable access to education to all of our students hinges largely on providing the highest quality teachers in every school and classroom.  

Diversity among teachers and staff undoubtedly advances the academic achievement of students. Compliance obligations establish the baseline; as a district, Framingham Public Schools are committed to achieving, developing and maintaining a workforce reflective of the rich racial, linguistic, and cultural diversity of our students. Framingham Public Schools aims to teach our children, and ourselves, to be culturally proficient and inclusive in order to live, learn, and work together in a vibrant and diverse world.  

Indeed, Framingham Public Schools is committed to inspiring our school community to be accepting and willing to learn from individuals with differing backgrounds. Our goal is to reflect the diverse community we serve and create a great place to work for everyone by embracing the individual skills, perspectives, and experiences our people bring to the workplace and harnessing these for high performance and improved service delivery. We want our employees to feel included, valued, and respected and have access to equal opportunity, which supports full participation at work. Framingham Public Schools seeks to retain the diverse talent in our workforce and support our people to maintain a long and productive working career.

Framingham Public Schools is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from minorities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Massachusetts (DESE) Nursing license required. Additional content area license is encouraged. Please note that licensure requirements are subjected to change at the discretion DESE.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
At least a Bachelor’s Degree in the area of major study. Experience in school, pediatric, public health, or other relevant nursing experience is preferred.

SKILLS AND ABILITY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in the educational field; to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form; to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including staff, parents and the general public; to read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and governmental regulations; to write reports and correspondence, as needed; to use reasoning ability to evaluate information and determine/recommend an appropriate course of action; to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to use professional literature, evidence-based research, and continuing education content to make practice decision; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff and the community; to work independently, prioritize tasks and manage several projects simultaneously; to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements, state and federal laws, and Framingham Public Schools policies (as long as the policies do not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract); to work with students of diverse backgrounds with diverse needs in an equitable and inclusive manner that bears to witness to cultural proficiency; to maintain appropriate confidential records; to react professionally and objectively to unpredictable situations (e.g. environmental changes, behavior/aggression, seizure activity, etc.);  to operate and/or acquire skills to operate a computer and related software including but not limited to Google; and ability/willingness to plan, coordinate, conduct and participate in ongoing professional and staff development.

Experience evaluating student skills and writing reports to interpret/summarize findings. Strong collaborative, teaching, coaching and leadership skills to support student programming and work in a team setting. Strong problem-solving skills to support student success. Strong data-collection skills to help to inform decisions for students. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Strong organizational skills to balance the demands of a multi-tasking position. A proactive and solution-focused approach to meeting student needs. Knowledge of specialized content area as well as any related laws and procedures.

Ability to communicate with cooperating agencies in the field of school health, health providers, students, parents, and other school professionals; and to organize a health office and maintain and develop health records. Knowledge of underlying principles and practices of nursing, and especially the field of school health, including current trends; and of state, federal and local laws pertaining to social and health issues.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer, as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.

A. Health Care

• Initiates, performs and oversees all state-mandated screening programs for designated grade levels including vision, hearing, postural screening, and BMIs.
• Identifies specific medical needs relating to the particular health status of the student and facilitates appropriate management for the student in the school setting.
• Serves as a health advocate for the student through communication with parents, health care providers, and community agencies.
• Facilitates student immunization compliance per DPH regulations.
• Triages students and/or staff with injury or illness and provides appropriate intervention and follow-up.
• Administers medication in compliance with school policy and state regulations.
• Develops and maintains, when appropriate, an individualized health care plan for each student with documented health needs.
• Facilitates special nursing care for students who are technology dependent.
• Acts as a nurse educator for students, parents, and staff regarding a health issue.

B. Safety

• Educates and promotes compliance with universal precautions.
• Identifies unsafe conditions in the school setting and collaborates with the administration and school personnel towards resolution.
• Collaborates with school personnel to develop and facilitate safety plans dealing with students with health conditions.

C. Education

• Collaborates with staff in the development, implementation, and delivery of school health programs.
• Collaborates with staff in modifying the educational program to meet health and emotional needs of individual students.
• Consults with teachers regarding students’ specific health issues that may impact learning.

D. Record Keeping/Reporting

• Maintains computerized medical records for each student enrolled in the district.
• Maintains updated information on each student’s computer record, including immunizations and screenings.
• Prepares and submits all reports mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
  Maintains adequate health room supplies.
• Provides interpretation of health assessments and medical data for SPED evaluations.

E. Communication

• Utilizes effective written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills.
• Communicates with parents, school personnel, physicians, clinics, and agencies regarding student health issues when appropriate.
• Attends meetings and conferences regarding health services and professional development.
• Maintains a positive environment in the health room and in communication with students, parents, staff, agencies and administrators.
• Interprets school health regulations to school administrators, staff, and parents.
• Attends scheduled health services staff meetings.
• Identifies community resources for appropriate referrals.
• Carries out home visits when indicated for the effective management of health concerns. 

F. Professionalism

• Participates in professional development.
• Maintains contemporary knowledge base to provide care to students and staff.
• Performs all scheduled duties and responsibilities within expected time frames.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move about and may be required to traverse occasionally throughout the school building. The employee must also often remain in a stationary position for considerable periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is expected to lift at least 20 lbs (i.e. books, school supplies, etc.). The employee must frequently use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and use hand strength to grasp tools. Occasionally s/he operates a computer and other office productivity machinery (i.e., a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer). The employee must be able to input information into a computer and as well as read material from a computer monitor as well as handwritten or printed matter with or without visual aids. The employee must be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other staff members in person and on the telephone. In the classroom, the employee must be able to see and hear on a continuous basis in order to ensure the safety of students as well as speak frequently to provide instruction. On rare occasions, it may be necessary to move quickly across even or uneven surfaces. The employee will be working in a normal school environment with an acceptable level of noise. The employee interacts with students, parents, and other staff members. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.

REPORTS TO:  

Building Principal and Director of Wellness and Health Services. The performance of this job will be evaluated as per the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) CLASSIFICATION:

This position is classified as Exempt (Professional).

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Covered under Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract. Please note that the District reserves the right to transfer all personnel among buildings on an as-needed basis to serve the best interests of all students as long as this does not conflict with the Framingham Teachers Association (Unit A) Contract.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Framingham Teachers Association Contract

Click here for more information about our amazing benefits! 

Framingham Public Schools provides equal employment. opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Framingham Public Schools complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the District has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. Framingham Public Schools expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.