Job Title: School Nurse

Reports To: Director of Student Services

Last Updated: April 2026

Mission Statement

Wolcott College Prep, an independent high school in Chicago's West Town neighborhood, offers an exemplary college-preparatory education for students with learning differences, tailored to each student's strengths and aspirations. Employing best practices, our expert faculty is committed to helping each student achieve academically, communicate effectively, and grow socially as well as develop the self-awareness, confidence, and resilience to thrive in college and beyond.

Job Summary

The School Nurse serves as the primary health professional at Wolcott College Prep, providing direct care to students and managing all aspects of the school's health office. As a core member of the Student Services Team, this position promotes student well-being through clinical care, health education, emergency preparedness, and close collaboration with families, faculty, and outside providers. The School Nurse also ensures the school's full compliance with state and federal health requirements and supports a school culture in which students with learning differences can thrive academically, socially, and physically. This is a 10-month position. Additional opportunities for summer work are available for those interested.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Health Services

• Assess, treat, and monitor student illnesses, injuries, and health concerns during the school day
• Provide first aid, emergency care, and triage for acute medical situations
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized healthcare plans for students with chronic medical conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, seizures, allergies)
• Administer medications and treatments in accordance with physician orders, parental consent, and school policy
• Maintain accurate and confidential student health records in compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, and applicable Illinois regulations
• Monitor student immunization records, physical exams, and required health documentation to ensure compliance with Illinois school health requirements, including timely IWAS submissions

Health Education

• Promote wellness through health education related to nutrition, hygiene, mental health awareness, disease prevention, and healthy lifestyle choices
• Identify and manage communicable diseases in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines
• Support attendance initiatives by addressing health-related barriers to school participation
• Coordinate and manage staff health and safety training to comply with state guidelines, including CPR/AED/First Aid certification and GCN-administered Illinois mandated trainings

Emergency Preparedness and Safety

• Respond promptly to campus medical emergencies and support the coordination of emergency response procedures
• Maintain emergency medications, supplies, and first aid equipment, including undesignated EpiPens, undesignated Narcan, and AEDs at all required locations
• Manage the procurement, standing orders, certification, and proper disposal of emergency medications and equipment in accordance with Illinois law
• Participate in school safety planning, crisis response teams, and emergency drills
• Develop and maintain protocols for medical emergencies, infectious disease outbreaks, and student health incidents
• Prepare and provide field trip health bags, including emergency medications, action plans, and student-specific medications, and document accordingly

Collaboration and Communication

• Serve as a liaison between the school, families, physicians, mental health professionals, and outside healthcare providers
• Communicate health concerns, treatment plans, and recommendations with parents/guardians and staff members as appropriate
• Collaborate with counselors, teachers, and administrators to support student success and well-being
• Provide health guidance for field trips, athletics, extracurricular programs, and special events
• Participate in Student Services Team meetings and family conferences as needed

Administrative Duties

• Maintain nursing office operations, inventory, and documentation systems
• Prepare reports and ensure compliance with school accreditation, licensing, and Illinois State Board of Education health reporting requirements (immunization, eye, and dental data via IWAS)
• Coordinate end-of-year medication return and disposal in accordance with state and local guidelines
• Participate in professional development activities and maintain professional licensure
• Support policy development related to student health, wellness, and emergency response

Other Duties

• Support school programs, events, and community activities
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services or Head of School

Physical Demands and Work Environment

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 stand, walk, sit, bend, write, type, speak, and listen. In addition, the employee may occasionally be required to bend, twist, reach and climb. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, peripheral and distant vision.

The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet/moderate to loud. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. The employee is directly responsible for the safety, well-being and work output of students.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by (an) individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities related to the position. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity and school policy and procedures. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Compensation 

Salary range: $50,000 - $60,000, commensurate with experience. Wolcott College Prep offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as retirement plan options and a 401k matching program.

Wolcott College Prep does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, or religion in the administration of its hiring policies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; advanced degree in nursing, public health, or a related field a plus.
• Licensure: Active Illinois Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing. Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification required (or willingness to obtain prior to start). Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) endorsed in School Nurse a plus.
• Experience: 3+ years of nursing experience required, preferably in a school, pediatric, or adolescent health setting. Experience working with students with learning differences, ADHD, or executive functioning challenges strongly preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong clinical assessment, triage, and emergency response skills appropriate to an adolescent population
• Working knowledge of Illinois school health requirements, including immunization, physical, dental, and vision exam regulations and IWAS reporting
• Knowledge of HIPAA, FERPA, and Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines as they apply to school settings
• Ability to develop and manage individualized healthcare plans for students with chronic medical conditions
• Demonstrated ability to manage a health office independently, including documentation, inventory, and compliance
• Strong consultation skills and ability to communicate effectively with students, families, faculty, and outside providers
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical, culturally responsive practice
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Collaborative and proactive approach; ability to work effectively within a small, close-knit team
• Proficiency with Google Suite and willingness to learn school information systems

About Wolcott School

Wolcott School offers an exemplary high school program for students with learning differences, tailored to the strengths and aspirations of each student. Employing best practices, our expert faculty is dedicated to helping students gain self-awareness, confidence and resilience as well as the academic, social and communication skills to flourish in college and beyond. As valued members of our diverse and close-knit community, Wolcott students develop their sense of responsibility and purpose.

Connections working at Wolcott School