Head School Nurse

Bernard Zell is an independent Jewish day school for the 21st century where academic purpose, collaborative learning, and deep commitment to humanity develop engaged, confident learners and compassionate leaders for a stronger, more vibrant community and world. A pluralistic community day school, Bernard Zell welcomes students and families of varied levels of religious observance. The school combines Jewish learning and tradition with the best of innovative educational practice in a challenging and nurturing learning environment.

Primary Job Responsibilities: 

The School Nurse fills a key role in supporting our students and families. The nurse is responsible for ongoing, daily care of students as well as communicating with families, ensuring compliance with mandated paperwork, and leading efforts to promote health and wellness across the school. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct professional nursing services, First Aid, illness and emergency care to students and staff in accordance with professional standards, school policy and procedures, and state and local mandates
• Administer appropriately documented medication to students in accordance with law, policy, and school regulations
• Provide data management, communication, and participation in COVID-19 related protocols and procedures
• Respond to parent concerns when students have symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19
• Track absences related to illness or quarantine, including siblings, cohort mates, and staff members impacted
• Ensure the smooth communication around absences to Operations, teachers, and Division Heads
• Perform intake and contact tracing in the event of a positive case
• Keep up to date with emerging guidance from the CDC, IDPH, CDPH as well as from the Association of School Nurses along with other professional organizations
• Exercise clinical judgment in areas of ambiguity in returning or excluding a student or sibling to campus
• Perform or oversee specimen collection if an onsite testing solution is made available
• Support students with allergies and/or other conditions, and share appropriate action plans with families
• Train all staff in the use of Epipens
• Maintain ongoing communication with parents/guardians, teachers, and other school personnel regarding the health and safety needs of students
• Share relevant information about students and families with teachers and department heads as needed (and as appropriate)
• Recommend policies and procedures that promote a healthy and safe school environment
• Plan and implement health protocols and screenings, such as coordinating on-site vision and hearing screening per Illinois school guidelines
• Attend required staff meetings and serve as a resource to teachers on comprehensive health-related instruction
• Attend student-centered meetings as needed
• Prepare and distribute Emergency Contact/Health information to the main office and all faculty at the beginning of the school year
• Prepare and submit state immunization and medical examination reports to IWAS (ISBE)
• Maintain confidentiality regarding all school and health related issues
• Provide needed materials and medications for off site trips
• Maintain records to be in full compliance with state and other mandates
• Proficient with and/or willing to learn Magnus Health Portal