Director of Student Health Services

DIRECTOR OF STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Serves as chief nurse for the Washoe County School District under the provisions of NRS and NAC 632, and NRS 391.207. Provides planning, direction, and supervision of the districts Student Health Services department; supervises and evaluates the departments Clinical Director and other office staff and supervises school nurses.

The director is also responsible for building the capacity of school nurses to effectively fulfill their role responsibilities, is responsible for integrating nursing services within the school setting in ways that promote school climate and academic achievement, is responsible for coordinating efforts with other central office departments including, but not limited to, emergency management, and is responsible for collaborating with community partners in securing services that best support our students and families.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Provides vision and leadership that engages staff, parents, students, and the community in achieving the Student Health Services Department mission.
• Ensures health and nursing services for WCSD students are provided in accordance with federal and state laws, regulations, and nationally recognized standards of care.
• Uses collaborative strategic planning to identify and accomplish departmental mission, goals, and objectives.
• Identifies and coordinates human, material, and financial resources to achieve departmental goals.
• Initiates, manages, and leads constructive organizational change.
• Builds and sustains strong partnerships between Student Health Services and the educational community through shared values and beliefs.
• Analyzes information, makes informed decisions, delegates responsibility, and provides appropriate support and follow-up.
• Articulates departmental beliefs and priorities effectively; explains and supports decisions and innovations.
• Advances the profession through participation in local, state, and national professional organizations.

Communication and Relationship Building

• Demonstrates effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills and maintains a professional image that reflects positively on the department.
• Exemplifies professional conduct and promotes open, ongoing communication within and outside the department.
• Engages staff, parents, students, and community members in establishing departmental goals and decision-making processes.
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and abilities.
• Applies consensus-building techniques as both a leader and collaborative team member.
• Acts as liaison between the district and healthcare professionals, community agencies, and public health entities.
• Collaborates with district administrators, school leaders, and nursing staff regarding student health policies and practices.

Clinical Leadership and Program Oversight

• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of nursing theory, clinical practice, healthcare technology, health promotion, school nursing, educational laws, and best practice standards.
• Assists school nurses in understanding and implementing department procedures aligned with the Nevada Nurse Practice Act, NRS/NAC 632, NRS 392, and other applicable laws through structured orientation and mentoring programs.
• Encourages practices that promote student health, wellness, and academic achievement.
• Develops and implements health services programs and initiatives for schools.
• Develops, reviews, and maintains department policies, protocols, and procedures that address student and staff health and safety needs.
• Advises, interprets, communicates, and enforces health-related policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Attends and participates in IEP and Section 504 meetings as needed to provide nursing administrative guidance.
• Oversees communicable disease response and coordination with public health agencies.

Personnel Management and Supervision

• Recruits, interviews, screens, recommends, hires, assigns, supervises, and evaluates school nurses.
• Supervises and provides guidance to the Assistant Director in carrying out departmental responsibilities.
• Provides guidance and support to the Clinical Director regarding evaluations of Clinical Procedural Nurses (CPNs).
• Oversees recruitment and hiring of clinical aides and ensures nursing services provided by CPNs and clinical aides meet departmental standards.
• Utilizes the district evaluation system, including goal-setting conferences and school-site observations.
• Conducts certified school nurse evaluations and supports professional growth through goal setting and coaching.
• Delegates evaluation responsibilities to the Assistant Director as appropriate.
• Encourages and develops leadership among staff.
• Involves school nurses in designing staff development programs aligned with departmental and district goals.
• Promotes participation in professional development and engages in continual personal and professional growth.

Program Administration and Operations

• Oversees or delegates supervision of departmental programs, including:
• CPR/AED training programs.
• School nurse, CPN, and clinical aide orientation and skill development programs.
• Compliance with state requirements for undesignated Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EpiPens).
• Student immunization compliance reporting.
• Health screening programs.
• State-mandated charter school health and safety audits.
• Conducts ongoing assessments of student health needs, school demographics, geographic considerations, and staff competencies to determine nursing assignments.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates departmental procedures and operational practices.
• Demonstrates proficiency in data management systems and analysis of student health data.

Clinical Director Oversight

Provides supervision and guidance to the Clinical Director regarding:

• Annual health acuity analysis for each school site.
• Recommendations regarding clinical aide staffing allocations and contract hours.
• Ongoing evaluation of health office operations districtwide.
• Assignment and implementation of appropriate nursing services across all WCSD schools.

Budget and Resource Management

• Applies knowledge of district budgeting processes and their impact on Student Health Services.
• Establishes departmental budget priorities consistent with district strategic goals and departmental objectives.
• Ensures efficient allocation and utilization of staffing, materials, and financial resources.

Compliance and Regulatory Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of and ensures compliance with:
• Nevada Nurse Practice Act.
• NRS/NAC 632.
• NRS 392.
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Nevada Department of Education regulations.
• WCSD policies and procedures.
• Other applicable state and federal laws governing school health services.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and skills would be:

Education: A masters degree in education, nursing, or a related field from an accredited college or university and an Administrative Credential for a Special Program from the Nevada State Department of Education.

Experience: Preferred: Four years of professional school nursing experience, including three years of supervisory experience in an area of nursing.

Licenses/Certificates: Valid Registered Nursing License issued by the Nevada State Board of Nursing required. Valid Nevada Endorsement as a Professional Administrator of a Program required.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of: (What you know)

• Principles and practices of nursing administration and educational leadership.
• Departmental operations, budgeting, financial management, program development, and evaluation.
• Nursing processes related to pediatrics, community/public health, and medical-surgical nursing.
• Health service delivery systems, clinical practice standards, and public health principles.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to education and health services.
• School law, including special education and student health requirements.
• Human resource management and staff development practices.
• Child and adolescent growth, development, and health needs.
• Social, emotional, and environmental factors affecting school-aged students.
• Principles of effective management, supervision, and organizational leadership.
• Conflict resolution and consensus-building techniques.
• Public relations and community engagement practices.
• Community resources and local healthcare systems.

Skill in: (What you can do proficiently)

• Planning, organizing, prioritizing, and directing departmental operations and programs.
• Coordinating the activities of professional, technical, and support staff.
• Presenting information and ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Building collaborative teams and fostering positive working relationships.
• Selecting, supervising, mentoring, and evaluating staff.
• Analyzing data and using information to support decision-making and program improvement.
• Developing consensus and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Managing budgets, staffing resources, and departmental priorities.
• Communicating effectively with diverse stakeholders, including staff, students, families, administrators, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Applying principles of nursing supervision and public health practice.

Ability to: (What you are capable of doing)

• Provide strategic leadership and direction for districtwide student health services programs.
• Interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies, and professional standards.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs, policies, and procedures.
• Lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Exercise sound judgment and make effective decisions in complex situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, administrators, students, families, community agencies, and healthcare professionals.
• Promote collaboration among diverse groups and facilitate consensus-building.
• Effectively supervise, motivate, develop, and evaluate staff.
• Analyze complex situations and develop practical solutions.
• Represent the department and district professionally with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in the performance of duties.
• Work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT / PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

• Exposure to weather: Rarely
• Exposure to loud noises: Rarely
• Working in confined spaces: Rarely
• Working at heights: Never
• Working with hazardous materials: Rarely

Physical Demands

• Lifting/Carrying: Rarely
• Standing/Walking: Occasionally
• Bending/Stooping: Rarely
• Reaching: Rarely
• Pushing/Pulling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Fine motor skills: Rarely

Definitions:

• Never: The activity or condition does not occur.
• Rarely: The activity or condition occurs less than 10% of the time.
• Occasionally: The activity or condition occurs 10-30% of the time.
• Frequently: The activity or condition occurs 30-60% of the time.
• Continuously: The activity or condition occurs more than 60% of the time.

THIS JOB SPECIFICATION SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE THE EXCLUSIVE STANDARDS OF THE POSITION. INCUMBENTS MAY BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW ANY OTHER INSTRUCTIONS, AND TO PERFORM ANY OTHER RELATED DUTIES AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THEIR SUPERVISOR.

The Washoe County School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning and working environments for all students, staff, and visitors. The District prohibits bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, and/or discrimination based on an individuals actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veterans or military status, marital status, disability or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental handicap in any of its educational programs/activities and employment, or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The district prohibits discrimination against any youth group listed in Title 36, as a patriotic society, (i.e., Boy Scouts of America) from access to public school facilities use.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Washoe County School District is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The Washoe County School District is committed to providing all applicants and employees equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, military status, or other characteristics protected by applicable law. Here at Washoe County School District, we are a diverse group of people who honor the differences that drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our students and employees. We believe that through a culture of inclusivity, we have the power to reflect on the community we serve.