Substitute Nurse

Job Description

To provide coverage of school health rooms when permanent nursing staff are unavailable. To provide occasional additional support to FT school nurses during high volume screenings or other specific practices that require more than one nurse. The substitute nurse is a currently licensed, CPR certified registered nurse who assumes the duties of the school nurse by providing routine and urgent nursing care for students and staff. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work in any public school setting as needed, preschool – high school.
• Deliver care to students, staff and visitors based on the nursing process.
• Communicate health information to parents in a timely manner.
• Communicate health information to staff who have a “need-to-know.”
• Conduct vision, hearing, postural and BMI screening according to city policy and state regulations.
• Manage a Medication Administration Program according to city policy and state regulations.
• Provide ongoing health counseling with students, parents and school personnel.
• Implement individualized health care plans.
• Provide case management services.
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff, community and other providers in providing student care.
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff and providers to manage students with concussions.
• Be alert to warning signs and symptoms of behavioral health issues including depression and suicidality and make referrals, participate in screening and follow established procedures.
• Confirm student eligibility for sports participation.
• Assist students and families to obtain health care insurance.
• Review immunization status for all students to ensure compliance with MA DPH regulations.
• Report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.
• Maintain a professional and safe health room.
• Maintain a daily record of all health room visits.
• Maintain cumulative health records for all students.
• Document each time care is planned or delivered to a student.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Registered Nurse.
• CPR Certified.
• BSN Preferred
• Experience in a school based or pediatric setting helpful.
• Ability to multitask and problem solve independently.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
• Excellent clinical knowledge with ability to make independent clinical judgements in fast paced environment.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Marc C. Laredo was sworn in on January 1, 2026 after serving on the City Council. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

The targeted salary range reflects what the City of Newton reasonably and in good faith expects to offer for this position at the time of posting, but the final salary determination may be within or outside this range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and market factors. The range will be reviewed regularly and is subject to change.

Benefits

This is a non-benefited position