Head Nurse-Supervisor

Primary Position Objectives

The Head Nurse/Supervisor provides comprehensive nursing care, health education, and health promotion to support students' well-being and full participation in the UWC-USA experience. The Head Nurse/Supervisor assesses, treats, coordinates, and refers students for medical care as appropriate; supervises and supports clinic staff; and oversees the daily operations of the UWC-USA Health Clinic. Working collaboratively with on-site and consulting physicians, the Clinical Supervisor of Mental Health, Health Clinic Staff, Residential Life staff, and other members of the school community, the Head Nurse/Supervisor helps ensure coordinated, student-centered care. The position is responsible for maintaining accurate health records and ensuring that clinic policies, protocols, and medication management practices comply with the requirements of the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy, the New Mexico Department of Health, and other applicable regulatory and accrediting bodies. The Head Nurse/Supervisor serves as a member of the Health Team, maintains effective communication with students, parents and guardians, employees, and external healthcare providers, and ensures the clinic is appropriately staffed, supplied, and equipped to meet student healthcare needs, including coordinating transportation for medical appointments when required.

Position Responsibilities

Health Clinic Leadership and Operations

• Supervise, mentor, schedule, and support Health Clinic staff, including onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Coordinate the daily operations of the Health Clinic to ensure safe, efficient, and student-centered care.
• Develop, review, and implement clinic policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Ensure compliance with New Mexico Board of Pharmacy regulations, Department of Health requirements, nursing standards, and other applicable regulatory and accrediting bodies.
• Coordinate the clinic's after-hours on-call schedule.
• Maintain clinic equipment, emergency supplies, medications, and dormitory first aid kits.
• Order medications, medical supplies, and equipment, and monitor inventory and expenditures.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, policy review, and implementation of best practices in school nursing and adolescent healthcare.
• Prepare reports and maintain documentation required for regulatory agencies, accreditation, and school administration.

Clinic Opening Responsibilities

• Prepare the Health Clinic for the beginning of each school year.
• Review incoming student medical documentation and establish health records.
• Verify immunizations, insurance coverage, and required medical documentation.
• Prepare student medication plans and coordinate receipt of prescription medications.
• Schedule student health checks.
• Restock clinic supplies and dormitory first aid kits.
• Coordinate onboarding and orientation for new Health Clinic employees.

Student Medical Care

• Assess, treat, monitor, and provide nursing care to students for acute illness, injury, and ongoing health concerns.
• Administer over-the-counter medications
• Oversee the administration by residential team members of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Oversee secure storage, inventory, documentation, and disposal of medications in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinate referrals to physicians, specialists, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers.
• Accompany students to medical appointments, emergency care, or hospitalization when required, serving in loco parentis.
• Provide emergency medical assessment to employees as appropriate.
• Provide health education, injury prevention, and wellness promotion to students individually and through campus programming.

Care Coordination and Communication

• Collaborate with Clinical Supervisor for Mental Health, Residential Life staff, faculty, administrators, and external healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive student care.
• Communicate with students, parents/guardians, national committees (when appropriate), and healthcare providers regarding medical needs, treatment plans, and follow-up care.
• Serve on the Health Team and participate in Student Success Team meetings as needed
• Provide health information to faculty and staff on a need-to-know basis.
• Proactively report concerns related to student health, safety, or well-being to the Dean of Student Life and other appropriate personnel.

Health Records and Compliance

• Review incoming student health records and verify immunization compliance prior to student arrival.
• Notify families of incomplete health documentation or outstanding medical requirements.
• Obtain and maintain required medical authorizations, releases, insurance information, and consent forms.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential medical records in Magnus Health and other required systems.
• Document assessments, treatments, medication administration, incidents, attendance related to illness, hospitalizations, and follow-up care.
• Prepare health summaries, medication plans, and emergency information for expeditions, off-campus programs, and Residential Life staff as needed.
• Coordinate student health insurance documentation and assist with insurance claims as appropriate.

Public Health and Risk Management

• Coordinate communicable disease prevention, surveillance, reporting, and response in accordance with public health guidance.
• Support campus emergency preparedness, disaster planning, and medical response protocols.
• Participate in emergency response, fire safety planning, and crisis management efforts.
• Monitor campus health trends and recommend initiatives that promote student wellness and reduce illness and injury.
• Develop and facilitate health education for students and employees on topics including illness prevention, medication safety, nutrition, sleep, sexual health, and other student wellness topics.

Professional Responsibilities

• Participate in faculty meetings, Health Team meetings, professional development, and school committees as assigned.
• Maintain current nursing licensure and required certifications, including CPR and other certifications required by the school.
• Display UWC-USA Leadership. All UWC-USA employees are expected to provide varying levels of leadership in order to support the UWC mission. Examples include but are not limited to:
• Actively participating and contributing to committee or task force assignments, providing leadership in campus-wide events or initiatives, strategic planning efforts, in the experiential education program, the dormitories, dining hall, and/or in physical plant initiatives.
• Initiating strategic discussions and sharing thoughtful and innovative ideas with your co-workers for carrying out the UWC mission and successfully completing day-to-day work assignments.
• Demonstrating a growth mindset by believing and acknowledging that intelligence, skills, learning, and creativity can all grow with time and experience.
• In all interactions, upholding the UWC mission and values, and creating an environment that promotes and values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Foster collaborative relationships with local healthcare providers and community partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Mexico
• Current certification in CPR, First Aid, and Basic Life Support (BLS).
• Valid driver's license and ability to transport students to medical appointments.
• Knowledge of adolescent health, school nursing practices, and current standards of nursing care.
• Knowledge of assessment, treatment, and referral of acute illnesses, injuries, chronic health conditions, and medical emergencies.
• Knowledge of medication administration, medication management, and applicable New Mexico nursing and pharmacy regulations.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws related to student health records, confidentiality, communicable disease reporting, and healthcare practice.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations, infection prevention, and public health practices.
• Ability to supervise, mentor, train, and evaluate Health Clinic staff.
• Ability to coordinate and oversee the daily operations of a school health clinic.
• Ability to develop, implement, and maintain clinic policies, procedures, and clinical protocols.
• Ability to assess, prioritize, and respond appropriately to routine and emergency medical situations while maintaining a calm, professional demeanor.
• Ability to exercise sound clinical judgment and independent decision-making within the scope of professional nursing practice.
• Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and confidential medical documentation and records.
• Ability to analyze health information and identify trends that support quality improvement and preventative health initiatives.
• Ability to organize multiple priorities, manage competing demands, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, families, employees, healthcare providers, and community partners.
• Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with administrators, faculty, Residential Life staff, mental health professionals, healthcare providers, parents/guardians, and students.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse cultural, linguistic, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality while exercising appropriate professional judgment regarding information sharing.
• Ability to provide health education and promote student wellness through individual consultation and group programming.
• Ability to use electronic health record systems (e.g., Magnus Health), Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, spreadsheets, REACH, and other technology required to support clinic operations.
• Ability to coordinate medical appointments, transportation, insurance processes, and continuity of care.
• Ability to lift, move, or assist students during emergency situations and perform the physical demands of nursing care.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation and respond appropriately to after-hours medical needs.

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

● Sitting or standing for an extended period of time

● Walking

● Pushing or pulling to assist students in wheelchairs

● Lifting and carrying 50 lbs or more

● Bending and kneeling

Hazards

● Contact with blood and other body fluids

● Potential for contact with blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases

● Chemicals including antiseptics and disinfectants

● Biomedical waste and hazards