School Overview

Cresthaven Academy Charter School exists to provide a comprehensive education to our scholars that develops the ‘whole child” through academic excellence, physical wellness, emotional health, and character enrichment.  Our school is built on the belief that all children, regardless of race or economic status, can succeed when given equal access to a high-quality education.  Each of our scholars will be empowered to overcome challenges and equipped to sustain their success in school and beyond.  

Cresthaven Academy Charter School opened in August 2016 with 75 kindergarten scholars, and we will add a grade each academic year until we are a K-8 school.  All Cresthaven Academy scholars will receive access to the best educators and resources, serving to actualize each child’s potential and setting them on the path to college.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is supported by Cresthaven Academy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Foundation exists to support the school and teaching  staff in all things outside of classroom instruction, reducing the risk of burnout and raising academic standards by allowing educators to focus on their scholars. Together we will incorporate comprehensive support for scholars and families into the education model, including an afterschool program, in order to inspire excellence in character, identity, and academics in each child.  

Cresthaven Academy is focused on supporting excellent teaching that closes the achievement gap.  We recognize that teachers are the most important in-school factor contributing to student achievement.  We also value leadership and support staff because they  facilitate, encourage, and help to foster the developmental growth of scholars to achieve physical, social and mental well-being by providing quality care and expertise in their respective roles.   

We are seeking a Per Diem School Nurse with experience effectively meeting the health needs of low-income families and the ability to collaborate fully with general education teachers, the school psychologist, and school leaders to provide expertise and oversight for the provision of school health services and the promotion of health education.  Reporting directly to the Principal, the School Nurse serves as a liaison between school personnel, family, community, and healthcare providers to advocate for healthcare and a healthy school environment.  This position requires high initiative, meticulous follow-through, and the ability to work with a diverse population in a fast-paced environment. Why join the Cresthaven Academy Family?  Great question!  We’re really passionate about kids, fun, and improvement.  To find out more, visit our website.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promotes, implements, and upholds professional standards of school nursing practice and follows state and local health practice statutes, district policies, and administrative guidelines.
• Applies nursing practices to administer basic health care and first aid for the purpose of providing appropriate care for ill, medically fragile and/or injured scholars and staff.
• Serves as a medical resource and health advocate for scholars and staff.
• Assumes the responsibility of appropriate health assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management and referrals for students.
• Plays a key role in identifying health concerns and treatment measures, providing instruction, counseling, and guidance in the maintenance of good health practices and disease prevention.
• Administers over the counter medication and medication with doctor’s orders included.  
• Conducts vision, hearing, BMI, and postural screenings.
• Provides regular communication to parents, teachers, school leaders, about relevant health-related matters.
• Supervises prescribed medical treatments and medication administration.
• Provides assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management, and referral for appropriate medical care of students with acute/chronic health conditions and in emergency situations.
• As a member of Child Study Team, gathers information and gives input for intervention strategies.  Also works with School Psychologist to assure that services match the academic and social-emotional needs of scholars.
• Complete projects that require specialized knowledge of scholar data or systems including asthma and food allergy lists and state reporting.
• Collaborates with existing school partners, such as food vendor, and builds new community partnerships as appropriate.

Manager of Student Health Care

• Assists in the development or revision of policies, procedures, and work standards for the school health program.
• Monitors compliance with current state immunization and health assessment requirements to ensure scholars have met minimum immunization requirements for school entry.
• Creates and maintains health care plans (IHCP), medical emergency cards, immunization records of all scholars for the purpose of ensuring compliance with state law and providing information required for intra-district transfer of records as needed.
• Ensures all data on scholar health and wellness are tracked in appropriate student information systems and files.
• Provides identification, assessment, care planning, referral and follow-up for students with acute/chronic health care needs and/or communicable diseases.  
• Creates and updates medical plans for students with health concerns that require classroom accommodations.
• Works with the Principal to establish systems that keep scholars in class and in school unless medically necessary.
• Serves as the primary liaison between the school and family for medical 504s.

Educator/Counselor

• Interprets student health care needs to families and school staff.
• Supports communication to families to encourage follow-through of health care referrals.
• Educates students, staff, and parents/guardians regarding medication administration, medical procedures needed at school, acute/chronic illness management, prevention and control of communicable diseases, acute/chronic illness management, emergency care, and other health-related issues.
• Develops and maintains advisory and educational displays related to student and community health throughout the school.
• Works with the School Psychologist to counsel students with psychological and medical concerns and/or physical limitations and assists in adaptation of any limitations.
• Collaborates with the Health & Physical Education Teacher to create and teach a health course focusing on wellness, nutrition, and fitness.  

Qualifications:

Our ideal School Nurse must have:

• At least 2 years of relevant full-time experience.  
• Demonstrated success working in an urban environment.  (Speaking Spanish is a plus.)
• A Nursing degree, be a licensed nurse, and qualify for NJ School Nurse Certificate.

Demonstrated competencies in the following areas are a must:

• Interpersonal Communication - Diplomatic with diverse audiences, including teachers, families, and related-service providers.  Ability to communicate effectively with parents about the needs of their scholar and set high expectations for service providers.   
• Time Management and Organization - Prioritizes strategically and multitasks effectively to meet deadlines.  
• Oral and Written Communication - Comfortable with public speaking and addressing a variety of audiences with a knowledgeable and friendly demeanor.  
• Self-Motivated - Works independently, is assertive and resourceful, and makes thoughtful decisions about projects to support measurable outcomes for students.
• Tech Savvy - Ability to quickly familiarize one’s self with computer databases, programs, and internet applications for data management.
• Attention to Detail - Thinks critically about the details of a task at hand, and “sweats the details.”
• Collaboration - Works well with teammates, understands multiple perspectives, and is responsive to feedback.  Develops effective liaison relationships with families, schools, and community agencies.
• Flexibility - Comfortable with ambiguity and able to adjust plans as necessary.  

What You Can Expect at Cresthaven Academy Charter School

Professional Development  We are invested in hiring, training, and retaining top talent.  Before the school year begins, we offer three weeks of targeted training for all staff.  Support includes:

• Built-in planning time for intense collaboration with grade teams and school leaders.  
• Outside professional development opportunities to acquire additional skills to learn about state reporting and other compliance issues.    

School Community  At Cresthaven Academy, we are working collaboratively with parents and community leaders to build a culture of success and student achievement.  We hold all members of our school community to high expectations, know every scholar and family by name, and offer comprehensive support to ensure success for all of our scholars.  

• After-School Program offers an opportunity to be creative and think out of the box to better serve our scholars.  Staff will have the option of receiving an additional stipend for work conducted at enrichment programming.  
• Home visits and Parent Academy are designed to build rapport with families and establish a strong sense of community.
• Staff is expected to attend all school-wide events, including during evenings and weekends.
• Be available via phone and/or email throughout the evening and weekend to communicate with families, teammates and school leaders.

To apply, please visit our website at www.cresthavenacademy.org/careers/ and complete the application.

Cresthaven Academy offers a competitive salary and benefits, commensurate with experience and skills.  Cresthaven Academy Charter School is an equal opportunity employer.