District Nurse

District Nurse

Westwood Public Schools District-Wide (WPS) - Westwood, Massachusetts

• 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 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Requires…