Director of Health Services

Lawrence Academy (LA) is a boarding and day school in Groton, MA, serving 400 students in grades 9-12. LA enjoys its heritage as one of the oldest independent schools in the country while embracing a contemporary student-centered approach that supports its mission. In LA’s tightly knit environment, students are supported and encouraged to exercise their minds, discover their voices, learn creatively, and take their own initiative. The academic program is uniquely hands-on and allows students to discover how their education can be applied in daily life.

LA has a full-time opening for an experienced health professional to serve as the Director of Health Services starting July 2026. The Director of Health Services is the individual responsible for overseeing the clinical, mental, and physical wellness programs in the school’s Health Center, directing school wellness programming, and managing the administrative operations of the Health Center. Reporting directly to the Assistant Head of School and working in coordination with the Assistant Head for Finance & Operations, this position ensures that health services are delivered in compliance with Massachusetts laws and Department of Public Health regulations, as well as professional nursing, counseling, and athletic training standards. The Director serves as a clinician, leader, educator, and advocate—responsible for shaping a coordinated school health program that meets the complex needs of both day and boarding students and contributing to a culture where students feel seen, heard, and cared for. The individual in this role should be a strong, adaptable, and innovative problem-solver and leader with excellent organizational, management, and communication skills.  

Summary

The Director of Health Services is the individual responsible for overseeing the clinical, mental, and physical wellness programs in the school’s Health Center, advising on school wellness programming, and managing the administrative operations of the Health Center. The Director of Health Services is a 12-month, full-time faculty administrator position, requiring occasional night and weekend work to support Health Center coverage. The position is fully on-site during the academic year when school is in session, offering six weeks of vacation annually, all academic year breaks off (when the Health Center is closed), and the opportunity for remote work during the summer break. Reporting directly to the Assistant Head of School and working in coordination with the Assistant Head for Finance & Operations, the position ensures that health services are delivered in compliance with Massachusetts laws and Department of Public Health regulations, as well as professional nursing, counseling, and athletic training standards. The Director serves as a clinician, leader, educator, and advocate—responsible for shaping a coordinated school health program that meets the complex needs of both day and boarding students and contributing to a culture where students feel seen, heard, and cared for. The individual in this role should be a strong, adaptable, and innovative problem-solver and leader with excellent organizational, management, and communication skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical & Health Center Leadership

• Develop, review, and maintain health center clinical policies, standing orders, and protocols in compliance with state regulations and best practices. Update and maintain the Health Center policy and procedure manual.
• Provide direct patient care (as APNP/NP or other qualified advanced practice provider with full practice authority) in the Health Center during scheduled clinical hours.
• Assess higher-risk students, devise and implement individualized care plans, and manage ongoing treatment while students are on campus.
• Assess data collected and make primary decisions on the health management of individual students.
• Oversee medication management and delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for medical emergencies, complex clinical issues, and parent/caregiver health concerns.
• Coordinate transitions of care and follow-up services, including laboratory work, tests, hospitalizations, external specialist referrals, and off-campus medical needs.
• Supervise and collaborate with the Health Center team of nursing and mental health counseling professionals.
• Ensure the health center collects and maintains accurate, up-to-date, secure, electronic medical records (via Magnus) and adheres to documentation standards.
• Lead quality assurance: monitor health center utilization, clinical trends, case reviews, risk management, and continuous improvement.
• Maintain on-call coverage (including nights, weekends) or ensure appropriate backup for 24/7 care when required.
• Support and consult with Athletics in the care of injured athletes; monitor recovery and collaborate with athletic trainers and health service personnel in establishing diagnosis, plan of care, and evaluation.
• Maintain professional competencies through continuing medical education, staying current with adolescent medicine, school health trends, and licensure obligations.

Mental and Physical Wellness Program

• Partner with the school psychologist to coordinate care plans for students, including mental health interventions, therapy, outpatient referrals, and care continuity.
• Collaborate with the Learning Support team to assess students (neuropsychological/psychological) and support implementation of individualized learning plans as appropriate.
• Advise and collaborate with faculty, administration and leadership to assess and support all aspects of mental health within the school community—from student mental health needs and an inclusive, supportive academic environment to assessing and supporting a positive mental health culture across the school community.
• Provide ongoing structure and direction for student body health and wellness programming.

Administrative & Operational Leadership

• Own and manage all recruiting, scheduling and supervision of all health center personnel (nursing team, school psychologist) and remain a consultant to and advisor for athletic training staff as needed in the medical and health-related care of student athletes.
• Oversee all health center operations and maintenance, including supply chain, medication inventory, medical equipment maintenance, medical waste, controlled substances, and regulatory compliance.
• Manage the annual health services budget.
• Review and interpret incoming students’ health history, immunizations, and risk factors; consult with families and home providers; develop onboarding health care plans.
• Execute or oversee the completion of all Health Center-related compliance reporting.
• Facilitate health education programming for students, faculty and parents and manage health-related communications across the school community.
• Act as a Health Services representative at faculty meetings, applicable school events, and community functions, and participate in school leadership groups, student support teams, behavioral and crisis response teams, accommodations committees, administrative committees, etc.

Required Qualifications & Competencies

• MSN.
• Advanced Practice Nurse (APNP/NP) licensed to practice in Massachusetts.
• Valid and current state license (e.g., Massachusetts Advanced Practice Nursing License).
• Holds current CPR/AED Certification and has the ability to maintain the certification.
• 7-10 years in family practice care; pediatric and adolescent care preferred. Experience as an RN/PA/NP in an independent, boarding school or similar educational environment is highly desirable.  
• Familiarity with school health laws/regulations, including those of state public health departments.
• Proven leadership experience, managing health services staff, budgets, and operations.
• Experience coordinating mental health care, counseling teams, and external provider networks.
• Strong computer literacy, including experience with electronic medical records (EMR) systems (Magnus preferred), Microsoft Office, and data-driven reporting.
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all aspects of healthcare delivery.
• A desire and ability to participate in the greater school community, integrating into all aspects of boarding school life.

Other Responsibilities:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time. 

Annual Salary Range: $100,000-$130,000

The salary range listed represents the typical pay range for this role; however, actual compensation may vary based on factors such as the candidate’s skills, experience, education, and market conditions.

To apply for this position, please send your cover letter, résumé, and reference list in a single PDF document to Libby Margraf, at jobs@lacademy.edu. The email subject line should be “Director of Health Services.” No phone calls please.

Cultural competence is an essential element of teaching and learning at Lawrence Academy. We are therefore seeking individuals who are committed to actively participating in professional development and engaging in our cultural competency programs that are structured to move our community forward equitably and inclusively. We encourage candidates from historically underrepresented groups to apply. The Academy does not discriminate and does not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, genetic information, veteran or Uniformed Service status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

For more information on Lawrence Academy go to www.lacademy.edu.

About Lawrence Academy

Lawrence Academy is a co-educational day and boarding school for students in grades 9 through 12, located on a 135-acre campus in Groton, MA, just 31 miles northwest of Boston. Founded in 1793, Lawrence Academy (also known as LA) enrolls approximately 400 students from the United States and overseas. With 75 teaching faculty, the student-to-teacher ratio is 5:1, and the average class size at LA is between 8 and 16 students. LA enjoys its heritage as one of the oldest independent schools in the country while embracing a contemporary student-centered approach that supports its mission: “Lawrence Academy recognizes you for who you are and inspires you to take responsibility for who you want to become.” In LA’s tightly-knit environment, students are supported and encouraged to exercise their minds, discover their voices, learn creatively, and take their own initiative. The academic program is uniquely hands-on and allows students to discover how their education can be applied in daily life.

Connections working at Lawrence Academy