Weekend School Nurse

Schedule: Weekends (Friday evening through Monday morning) which includes:

• On-site presence required during assigned hours (10:00 am – 6:00 pm)
• On-call availability during overnight shifts as scheduled

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Health Services, the Weekend School Nurse will work with a team of nurses, on-duty counselors, on duty-faculty, and students in a residential environment. The nurse provides primary and episodic health care for boarding and day students in an academic environment, and provides a pivotal role in the health maintenance, health education, and prevention and management of acute and chronic illnesses. The nurse provides this care by assessing and managing the physical, emotional, and social needs of the adolescent students to assist in attaining their optimal level of health and wellness. This role is part of a rotation that provides 24-hour coverage during the school year.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides primary, acute, and chronic nursing care for students, adhering to facility protocols and policies, standing orders, and professional scope and standards.
• Independently triages, evaluates, and treats illness and injuries, and refers to the Director and School MD when appropriate.
• Develops and maintains current health care plans.
• Administers prescribed and over-the-counter medication in accordance with facility standing orders and medication policies.
• Conducts daily medication counts and documents all medication administration precisely in the electronic medical record Magnus.
• Documents all care in the electronic health record Magnus, and properly maintains medical records and documentation.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding the health information of the students
• Identifies and responds to campus health emergencies, calls 911 when appropriate, shares students’ emergency health information (consent, insurance, and pertinent medical information) with Emergency Medical personnel, and coordinates with the school Administrator on Duty regarding communication with employees and the student’s family.
• Coordinates medical services with off-campus health care providers through scheduling, communication, and implementation of follow-up care needed
• Transports students for off-campus student medical appointments as needed.
• Makes appropriate assessments and referrals for suspected abuse/neglect as a mandated reporter partnering with the Director of Health Services.
• Other duties as assigned

Weekend-Specific Duties

• Conduct morning and evening health checks for boarding students as required
• Manage weekend sick call and respond to after-hours health concerns
• Monitor students on bed rest or medical restrictions
• Support students returning from weekend activities, sports events, or off-campus trips
• Handle medication administration for students on weekend passes or overnight stays
• Ensure medical coverage during special weekend events, activities, or trips
• Assist with managing homesickness, anxiety, or emotional distress common during weekends in partnership with the Counselor on-Call.

Health Center Operations

• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the health center during weekends
• Ensure health center beds are clean, properly made, and ready for student use at all times
• Manage health center laundry as needed, including linens, bedding, and towels
• Restock medical supplies and medications as needed
• Document all student visits, treatments, and incidents accurately
• Ensure student health and immunization records in Magnus are reviewed, accurate, and updated in accordance with school and regulatory requirements
• Prepare handoff notes for weekday nursing staff

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate with residential life staff, and administrators regarding student health issues. Phone calls with a follow-up email cc’ing the weekday nurses.
• Notify parents/guardians of significant health concerns or incidents according to school policy; all phone calls to parents are with a written follow-up email cc’ing the weekday nurses and documentation on the student’s notes.
• Collaborate with on-call physicians or local medical facilities when needed

On Call Duties and Responsibilities

• When on call, responsible for answering the on-call phone for the duration of their shift and triaging student health concerns.
• Makes determinations over the phone whether the student’s condition can be managed or requires further in-person evaluation by a healthcare professional
• If in-person (non-urgent) care is warranted, the on-call nurse will be responsible for opening the health center to evaluate and treat the student.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an LPN
• Registered Nurse Licensed in CT
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program preferred
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification
• Experience in a pediatrics, day, or boarding school is preferred
• Ability to work independently and make sound clinical judgments
• Strong communication and documentation skills
• Able and willing to come to campus when needed during on-call hours
• Ability to acquire an ‘A’ endorsement for the CT Driver’s License

Personal Attributes

• Calm, compassionate, and student-centered approach
• Ability to manage emergencies and high-pressure situations
• Comfortable working evenings, nights, and weekends
• Respect for confidentiality and professionalism in a residential school setting

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. The Ethel Walker School is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status.

To apply, please submit a resume, cover letter, and contact list of three (3) professional references in one (1) document to careers@ethelwalker.org.