Regional School Nurse Consultant- Western MA (Hampden County) chez Springfield Public Schools

DEPARTMENT:  Nursing                       

REPORTS TO:  Sr Nursing Administrator

SALARY:  $82,433 – $116,986

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This full-time, full year school nurse position for a Western MA Regional School Nurse Consultant is in alignment with the regional consultant grant held by Springfield Public Schools. This position therefore is responsible for key essential functions for the Department of School Health Services Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) unit, with dual reporting responsibilities to Director of School Health and the Springfield Public Schools Sr. Nursing Administrator. The regional consultant works closely with the Springfield Public Schools Nursing Team, the School Health Services Unit, as well as with the five other regional consultant colleagues serving Massachusetts. This position offers an excellent opportunity for professional growth and leadership development. The RC has major autonomy for decision making when providing expert consultation and technical assistance to public and private, local and regional schools regarding the comprehensive, coordinated school health model, including statutes, regulations, scope of required services, and coordination with prevention-based health education programs.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

• Provides consultation and technical assistance to school nurses and school nurse leaders located in the western region of Massachusetts.
• Identify and provide support to all Model Comprehensive School Health Service (CSHS) programs, Affiliated programs and all other public schools including charter schools and collaborative programs as well as non-public schools in the EOHHS region assigned to the program. Provide consultation and technical assistance to these programs (including their own host district), as needed. This should include telephone consultation, meetings and site visits. Consultation content areas may include but not be limited to: clinical services, leadership development, policy and program development, budgeting, etc.
• Participates in, presents at, and attends certain school nursing professional development programs and training sessions offered by DPH through BU-Shield and other organizations, as appropriate.
• Attends all DPH required statewide meetings
• Serve as nursing course Director /Advisor / Planner in collaboration with BU Continuing Medical Education (BUCME), NEUSHA, and other organizations as appropriate to develop CNE programs;
• Facilitates three to four meetings a year for the west region school nurse leaders in partnership with the current Regional Consultants;
• Conducts periodic site visits to school nurses/nurse leaders in the western region
• Attends area community program meetings, as appropriate, to represent school nursing and obtain continual professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in school nursing.
• Explore common issues and resources in the region, such as school nursing workforce development, leadership skills, etc
• Represent school health on the regional emergency planning committees and other committees/ coalitions as appropriate.
• Collaborate with both local and “regional” primary care providers (PCPs) and other providers to identify issues related to providing and linking healthcare systems with school health services.
• Serve on the DPH CSHS Evaluation Committee and provide all districts in the region with assistance to complete CQI projects.
• Complete and submit to the MDPH an annual Performance Requirements/Program Outcomes narrative report. Funded CSHS-RC programs must report performance measure data to DPH annually.

Please note: the DPH School Health Unit will continue to assume responsibility for consulting on regulatory/legal issues pertaining to school health. The DPH School Health Unit will also maintain responsibility for the evaluation of the Regional Consultant program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB:

• Skill in detail-oriented planning and able to set priorities, objectives and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently or as a member of a team
• Ability to apply listening skills, work under pressure, address conflict and solve problems
• Promote positive linkage and referral mechanisms to community providers for a range of services dealing with children
• Promote and assist with ongoing continuing education
• Provide support for Western MA school nurses
• Facilitate implementation of new information
• Support with oversight of training and implementation of the Medicaid billing expansion program.
• Support initiatives to enhance diversity, equity, social justice and inclusion within school nursing
• Promote evidence-based practices in school nursing
•  Serve as a liaison and resource expert in school nursing for community entities, health care providers, policy setting groups at the local and State levels
• Follows the practice of school nursing within the guidelines of Board of Registration in Nursing, and DESE and MA DPH guidelines
• Enhance the practice of school nursing utilizing NASN’s Framework for 21^st Century School Nursing Practice.
• Foster school nursing leadership through education, support, and advocacy.

EDUCATIONAL & JOB EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: 

• BSN in Nursing (MSN preferred)
• Current license as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
• 5+ years of experience in school nursing, in either public or private school settings preferred.
• Licensed or eligible for MDESE professional licensure as a School Nurse
• Valid driver’s license- Ability to travel locally and within the state
• Computer skills
• Current certification in CPR/AED.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills.

LIST ANY PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• No lifting, bending or twisting restrictions. Must be able to ambulate quickly and walk up four flights of stairs.

"If you BELIEVE, we have a place for YOU on our team!  Come work for us!"

About our District

Springfield Public Schools is a cultural gem in Western Massachusetts that is committed to providing a learning environment that opens the doors of infinite possibilities to our amazing students and staff. We strive to equip each of our approximately 24,000 students with learning experiences that enhance their knowledge and critical thinking skills. We are the 3^rd largest district in Massachusetts. Our district has over 44 languages spoken and over 60 countries represented by both students and staff.  We foster a positive and professional environment in our schools and worksites where people feel valued, respected, supported, seen and heard. Our students and staff share their ideas and perspectives, learning from and appreciating each other. We are a district that is committed to equity and excellence. 

Join a team that Empowers Educators

In addition to offering competitive salaries and benefits, we provide numerous cutting-edge professional development opportunities for all staff.  We let our data shape the professional development of the district, therefore, it is relevant and actionable. We support our teaching staff with mentors such as instructional leadership specialists and effective educator coaches to work with them throughout the year in lesson planning, data analysis and management. Our district offers career advancement opportunities and is invested in “Grow our Own” and educational pipeline programs. These programs help our staff achieve a college degree or lead to certification pathways. 

If there is something that you would like to know specifically about the position that you are applying for or assistance with matching your skills to a position, Carmen Molina-Figueroa will be happy to assist you at [email protected].

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation. The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

NONDISCRIMINATION EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy related conditions, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, or marital status.

NOTICE OF SEX NONDISCRIMINATION

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to the Springfield Public Schools’ Title IX Coordinator, [email protected], the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights at https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr, or both.

The Springfield Public Schools Title IX Coordinator is Katie O’Sullivan, Senior Administrator of Human Resources, 1550 Main Street, Springfield, MA 01103, 413-787-7100 ext. 55428, [email protected].  

Springfield Public School’s sex nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures can be located on the Springfield Public Schools website, www.springfieldpublicschools.com/non-discrimination

To report information about conduct that may constitute sex discrimination or make a complaint of sex discrimination under Title IX, please refer to [email protected]