K-12 School Nurse

Inspire. Innovate. Belong. At Dawson, we believe that exceptional education is built on the strength, expertise, and dedication of our faculty. We seek committed, creative, and engaged educators who embrace collaboration, maintain high expectations for themselves and their students, and foster meaningful relationships with colleagues and families. As a student-centered, college-preparatory school for grades K-12, Dawson provides a dynamic environment where faculty are empowered to innovate, personalize learning, and inspire students to reach their full potential. Our faculty are not just teachers but mentors and lifelong learners who bring curiosity, empathy, and professionalism to every interaction.

About the School

Dawson School is dedicated to excellence of mind, body, and character. We prepare students, through challenging and relevant learning, to become creative, resilient problem-solvers who bring their best to the world.

Why Join Dawson?

• Innovative Teaching Environment: We foster creativity through hands-on learning and encourage the integration of technology to enhance student experiences.
• Professional Growth: We invest in our educators through workshops, conferences, and collaborative learning opportunities.
• Community Engagement: Become part of a supportive, relationship-driven environment.
• Work-Life Balance: We prioritize well-being with reasonable class sizes and a collaborative culture.

At Dawson, you will:

• Shape the region’s strongest college-preparatory program through academic excellence and experiential learning.
• Collaborate with talented colleagues in a supportive and respectful environment.
• Engage in meaningful professional development to refine your craft and advance your career.
• Challenge and support students in a learning community that values curiosity, resilience, and purpose.
• Be part of a school that recognizes and invests in the well-being of its educators through competitive compensation and benefits, along with a culture that nurtures both personal and professional fulfillment.

Benefits

• Retirement: 401(k) plan with employer contribution.
• Healthcare: medical, dental, and vision plans with HSA/FSA options, plus free telehealth services.
• Wellness: access to an employee assistance program, on-site gym, outdoor swimming pool, and certified athletic trainer. Enjoy free, chef-prepared lunches and a walkable, secure campus.
• Life Insurance and Voluntary Benefits: group life insurance with additional voluntary coverage options.
• Time-off: flexible sick time and paid time off.
• Career and Personal Development: support and encouragement for continuous learning and growth, ensuring faculty and staff remain knowledgeable, skilled, and effective in their roles.
• Sustainability: free parking with access to EV charging stations and ECO Pass for RTD.
• Strong Faculty/Staff Culture and Sense of Belonging: welcoming, positive, supportive, and engaged colleagues.

About the Role

The School Nurse provides comprehensive health services to support the physical, emotional, and educational well-being of students across the K–12 program. The School Nurse serves as the school's health and nursing expert, identifying student health needs, providing direct nursing care, developing and implementing individualized health care plans, and collaborating with students, families, faculty, administrators, and healthcare providers. The School Nurse works to identify and reduce health-related barriers to learning and helps ensure that students can safely and fully participate in the school environment. This position also supports health education, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, student wellness, and compliance with applicable Colorado nursing, education, and public health requirements. The School Nurse reports directly to the Director of Operations and collaborates closely with the school leadership team, division assistants, Athletic Trainer, Director of Safety and Security, and Summer Camp Director. The School Nurse may also provide clinical guidance, consultation, and direction to faculty and staff regarding student health needs, medical procedures, and health-related protocols.

Responsibilities

Student Health Services and Nursing Care

• Provide professional nursing assessment, care, and support to students across the K–12 program.
• Identify and respond to acute and chronic health conditions, injuries, illnesses, and other student health concerns.
• Develop, implement, monitor, and update individualized health care plans (IHPs), 504 accommodation plans for students with chronic conditions (e.g., severe allergies, diabetes, asthma, epilepsy), and emergency action plans as appropriate.
• Administer medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders, school policies, and applicable Colorado regulations.
• Establish delegation protocols and train unlicensed school personnel (teachers, office staff, trip chaperones) to safely administer daily prescriptions and emergency medications (e.g., EpiPens, glucagon, inhalers).
• Determine appropriate interventions and levels of care and make referrals to families, healthcare providers, emergency medical services, or other appropriate resources when necessary.
• Provide nursing support for students with disabilities and other specialized health needs.
• Support students with chronic conditions, including asthma, diabetes, allergies, seizure disorders, and other medical needs.
• Maintain appropriate documentation of student health services, assessments, treatments, medications, and health-related incidents.
• Provide health-related support during field trips, school activities, and other school-sponsored events as appropriate.

Health Promotion, Prevention, and Education

• Develop and implement health education, wellness, injury prevention, and disease prevention initiatives.
• Provide age-appropriate health education and guidance to students, faculty, and staff.
• Monitor trends in student illnesses, injuries, and health concerns and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Promote practices that support student physical and emotional well-being.
• Provide education and resources related to nutrition, hygiene, mental health, substance use prevention, and other student wellness topics as appropriate.
• Advocate for a healthy, safe, and inclusive school environment.

Immunizations, Communicable Disease, and Public Health

• Review and monitor student immunization records and other required health documentation.
• Maintain compliance with applicable Colorado immunization and school health requirements, including managing and updating student immunization records in the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS) and completing required annual immunization reporting to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
• Ensure records are accurate, current, and maintained in accordance with applicable state requirements and school policies.
• Monitor and respond to communicable and infectious diseases within the school community.
• Provide education regarding disease prevention, infection control, and appropriate health practices.
• Communicate with families and public health officials as appropriate regarding communicable disease concerns and required follow-up.
• Participate in the development and implementation of school health and communicable disease policies and procedures.

Collaboration and Case Management

• Serve as a liaison among students, families, faculty, administrators, healthcare providers, community health organizations, and other professionals.
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, learning specialists, administrators, and other members of the student support team to address health-related barriers to learning.
• Participate in meetings related to student support, individualized education plans, accommodations, and other student needs as appropriate.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with families regarding student health concerns and recommendations.
• Coordinate care and follow-up with outside healthcare providers when appropriate and with appropriate authorization.
• Maintain confidentiality of student health information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and school policies.

Emergency Preparedness and Safety

• Respond appropriately to medical emergencies, injuries, and other urgent health situations.
• Develop, review, and implement emergency health procedures and protocols.
• Participate in emergency preparedness and response planning, including coordination with first responders and local emergency services.
• Provide or coordinate CPR, first aid, medication, and other emergency response training as appropriate.
• Identify potential health and environmental hazards and recommend appropriate corrective measures.
• Participate in school safety and emergency response planning and drills.

Health Services Administration and Compliance

• Maintain accurate and confidential electronic and paper health records.
• Ensure school health practices comply with applicable Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and other applicable requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and records related to student health services.
• Collect, monitor, and report health-related data as required.
• Assist with the development, review, and implementation of school health policies and procedures.
• Monitor and maintain health room supplies, medications, equipment, and resources.
• Ensure that health services are delivered consistently and effectively across the K–12 program.

Child Care Licensing Oversight

• Serve as the school's Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) for its licensed after-school care and summer camp programs, providing health and safety guidance, consultation, and support in accordance with applicable Colorado child care licensing requirements.

Supervision and Leadership

• Provide clinical guidance, training, and direction to all Dawson faculty and staff as appropriate.
• Collaborate with the school's leadership team and building administrators regarding the operation of school health services.
• Participate in school committees, professional development, faculty meetings, and other school activities as appropriate.
• Serve as a resource to faculty and staff regarding student health and medical needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited college or university.
• Current, unrestricted Colorado Registered Nurse (RN) license through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA).
• Current or eligible Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Services Provider license/endorsement as a School Nurse, as applicable.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification from a nationally recognized provider.
• Minimum of one year of professional nursing experience, preferably in pediatric, school, community health, or public health nursing.
• Experience working with children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of student health needs, chronic health conditions, medication administration, emergency care, and health care planning.
• Knowledge of applicable Colorado school health, nursing, immunization, and public health requirements.