Director of Health Services

TITLE:  Director of Health Services

LOCATION:  Central Office and Training Center

The Kansas City- Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22-000 students and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy- the #6 highest rated High School in the Nation and #1 High School in Kansas according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools- 28 elementary schools- 7 middle schools- and 5 college and career academies/high schools- we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas and our student population is approximately 56% Hispanic- 24% African American- 9% White- and 6% Asian. To serve our students- the district employs approximately 4-000 employees including more than 1-800 teachers.      

JOB GOAL:

Plan- direct- and coordinate the Health Services Department by identifying student health needs throughout Kansas City- Kansas Public School district and the Wyandotte Comprehensive Special Education Cooperative. Evaluate- develop- review- and implement protocols and procedures that affect staff- student health- and safety with access to academics. This role ensures that all health services comply with federal- state- and local regulations and support the educational mission of the district.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with District-level administration to integrate and implement health policies- practices- and align department goals with district mission- vision- and strategic priorities.
• Implement and comply with policies established by federal and state law- Kansas Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act- Kansas Department of Health and Environment- Kansas Board of Education- and District Board policy.
• Establish and promote policies and procedures that guide health practices following public health recommendations. Provide consultation regarding District policies and protocols that involve the health and safety of students and staff. Recommend and promote District practices that promote student and employee wellness.
• Identify- analyze- and apply current nursing and medical research findings to plan and provide for the health needs of all students. Recommend and implement Health Services procedures for medical emergencies- referrals- communicable diseases- and other health concerns.
• Oversee the student health record system- other health records and files following the district and state record retention policy- as well as- student data privacy policy- FERPA- and HIPAA.
• Work directly with District leadership- staff- students- and families when appropriate regarding health concerns.

District Leadership and Program Planning

• Plan- network- and collaborate with community partners to support student health and the overall health of the school community.
• Collaborate with District departments for the purposes of identifying potential health issues and providing information to protect and promote student and staff health.
• Facilitate meetings- in-services- and professional development opportunities with interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of gathering- conveying and /or sharing information on students’ health needs- nursing care delivery- providing health education- and determining staff health needs.
• Advise Human Resources when appropriate regarding staff health concerns.
• Reports health and safety issues to administration and appropriate agencies (e.g.- Superintendent- BOE- principals- staff- local health department- etc.) for the purpose of maintaining students’ personal safety- a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Provide strategic direction and leadership in the district preparedness and response to any CDC infectious disease- in collaboration with the Unified Government Public Health Department- State and Federal Directors in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the CDC guidelines- Kansas Board of Education- and District Board policy. Assist with the development and implementation of policies and protocols to reduce the spread and control of any infectious deisease- track the impact on the school community- and promote behaviors that create a healthy learning and work environment.

 Performance Management and Development of Department Staff 

• Recruit- interview and hire Health Services personnel- Wyandotte Cooperative Special Education nurses and make recommendations to Human Resources regarding assignments- retention- discipline- and dismissal. Prepare- review and revise job descriptions as appropriate.
• Plan- organize and implement orientation- training- and ongoing professional development for Health Services staff.
• Share responsibility with principals to supervise and evaluate performance of Health Services personnel to ensure effectiveness and develop training options and improvement plans.
• Establish procedures and performance expectations for Department staff while serving as a resource to staff and monitor daily Health Services activities.
• Establish staffing patterns- work schedules and work assignments.
• Develop and manage contracts with healthcare staffing agencies.
• Directly supervises and manages the delegation of authority to unlicensed assisted personnel (UAP) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).

Budget Management

• Develop and administer health services budget- including appropriate staffing based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost effective- and funds are managed wisely.
• Manage staffing according to student population and acuity.
• Oversee purchasing for the department.
• Oversee contracts and Memoranda of Understanding with outside agencies.

Utilization of Technology

• Supervise the maintenance of electronic student health records.
• Utilize various technology to communicate with Health Services and District staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Licensed as a Registered Nurse by Kansas Board of Nursing.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
• 10 years prior nursing experience.
• Previous experience as a Laboratory Director in a CLIA-waived laboratory.
• Ability to obtain a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waiver to serve as the Laboratory Director. 

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree in Nursing or related field
• 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in a school health setting.  
• 504/IEP Compliance: Manage and ensure compliance with Section 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in collaboration with the Student Support Programs and Special Education Departments. 

COMMUNICATION / ORGANIZATION:  Maintains communication with internal and external stakeholders such as Board of Education- Educational Agencies- Federal/State/Local agencies- teachers- other school personnel- parents/guardians- businesses- and community to enhance cooperative action which will meet the educational needs of students. Compiles data for statistical purposes. Maintains confidentiality regarding district records. Ability to speak clear and concisely in written or oral communication. Includes giving instructions- assignments- or directions to subordinates or assistants as needed to carry out duties.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written- oral- diagram- or schedule form. Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable- functional- structural- or composite characteristics of data- people- or things.

LANGUAGE SKILL: Ability is required to schedule several activities- meetings- and/or events; often gather- collate- and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate to significant.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The 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 accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   While performing the duties of this job- the employee is regularly required to sit- walk- stand- and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision- distance vision- and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and is a standard acceptable level for this environment. Position involves exposure to blood- bodily fluids- and airborne pathogens. Occasional exposure to outside temperatures and weather conditions in emergency situations and frequent travel within and outside of the district.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:  261 days 

SALARY: Based on KCKPS Administrator Salary Schedule              

FLSA STATUS: Exempt 

REPORT TO: Executive Director of Student Support & Family Services            

EVALUATION: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with Board of Education policy.

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