Director of School Health & Wellness Leadership

TITLE: Director of Health Services

WHO WE ARE:

Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) is a student-focused, innovative educational organization committed to academic excellence. Our mission is to empower and educate all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, to embrace diversity, and to pursue their dreams with a purpose. We are a family of excellent public schools in which every student has the opportunity to succeed and the power to create their own future.

Led by forward-thinking leadership and our commitment to prioritizing students, racial equity, and authentic engagement with our families, team members, and communities, our staff have diverse opportunities to develop their careers in a challenging but rewarding environment. We are an organization for people who are passionate about education and who are committed to the Indianapolis community.

SUMMARY OF OPPORTUNITY:

We are looking for an administrator who will positively impact student success by planning, carrying out, evaluating, and supervising financial activities. Our administrators play a key role in ensuring that our schools receive support. As a member of the Unified Student Supports Team, you will receive excellent benefits, opportunities to grow within your role and the organization, and collaborative and supportive colleagues who put students first.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The following outlines what your core duties and responsibilities will be for this position and provides a sample overview of what your day-to-day may look like.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership :

• Spearhead the development and execution of a visionary district-wide school health program, aligning with the mission and goals of Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS).
• Drive initiatives to enhance the overall health and wellness of students and staff, ensuring a proactive approach to health management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to secure diverse funding for health services through strategic planning, including budget allocation, grant applications, Medicaid reimbursement, and fundraising, ensuring the enhancement and sustainability of the program.

Supervision and Performance Management :

• Provide robust leadership in supervising and evaluating district health services staff staff, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Implement strategies to optimize staffing levels and skill sets, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of health services.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration :

• Forge strong partnerships with families, external agencies, and medical providers to address the diverse health needs of students, promoting a holistic approach to healthcare.
• Act as a liaison between IPS and community stakeholders, advocating for the integration of health services into broader educational initiatives.

Professional Development and Team Building :

• Develop comprehensive career development plans for medical staff, fostering a culture of learning and growth within the health services department.
• Organize engaging and informative staff meetings to facilitate collaboration, communication, and knowledge sharing among medical personnel.

Communication and Oversight :

• Establish clear communication channels to ensure seamless dissemination of health and medical procedures to school personnel, promoting consistency and adherence to protocols.
• Exercise diligent oversight to monitor health service implementation, promptly and effectively addressing gaps or challenges.
• Interpret health services programs to IPS teams, the School Board, staff, and the public.
• Direct the preparation of reports as required by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies

Strategic Partnership Management :

• Cultivate and manage partnerships with school nursing contractors in close collaboration with Chief HR and IPS Administrators, optimizing resources and maximizing the impact of health programs.

Community Representation and Advocacy :

• Serve as the face of IPS in the community, addressing health-related issues and advocating for policies and initiatives that support the health and well-being of students.
• Leverage community partnerships to expand access to healthcare resources and services for IPS students and families.

Committee Leadership and Advisory Council Chairmanship :

• Provide strategic leadership on District committees, leveraging expertise to inform decision-making and drive positive change in health-related policies and practices.
• Chair the Coordinated School Health Advisory Council, guiding discussions and initiatives to promote a comprehensive and integrated approach to student health and wellness.

Flexibility and Additional Responsibilities :

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in undertaking additional duties as assigned by Chief HR, contributing to the overall success of IPS and its mission to empower every student to thrive.

“Day In the Life” Overview

On a regular day, as theDirector of Health Services, you might:

• Coordinate with department leaders on health-related initiatives
• Meet with a community organization to explore potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities
• Review and approve contracts, ensuring alignment with IPS objectives and budgetary constraints
• Connect with other district’s health leaders to exchange best practices and valuable insight
• Represent IPSat community meetings related to health and wellness

WHAT YOU’ll BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

As an ideal candidate for this role, you will be able to achieve the following:

• Highly-developed communications skills (written/verbal) and interpersonal savvy
• Results/action-orientation; project management skills
• Racial equity mindset and other critical indicators related to DEI
• Organizational agility; developed negotiation skills
• Unquestionable personal code of ethics, integrity, diversity and trust
• Able to successfully navigate within varying degrees of ambiguity in a fast-paced environment
• Strong strategic analysis skills
• Ability to be creative in developing alternatives to meet IPS Instructional needs
• A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with and among a diverse group of actors
• Excellent communication skills and strong analytical and writing capabilities
• Close attention to detail coupled with the ability to exercise good judgment
• Strong organizational, oral and written communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proactive nature; able to anticipate conflicts before they arise
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaboratively
• Ability to execute meetings, calls and emails with professionalism, courtesy and accuracy
• Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, sense of humor, and diligence
• Ability to effectively allocate and prioritize time to several tasks to ensure completion of all
• Working knowledge of the State, Federal Special Education policies and procedures
• Working knowledge of district accounting/purchasing/payroll procedures
• Knowledge of district and school-based operations
• Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education policies, practices and programs
• High level expertise with Microsoft Word, Excel, automated purchasing, financial/accounting software required

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

• Current Indiana Registered Nurse License and/or Current Indiana School Services Personnel License in Nursing
• At minimum 7 years of nursing administrative experience preferably in Community Health, School Health, and/or Pediatric Nursing
• Minimum BSN or Bachelor preferred
• Working knowledge of federal and state special education laws (IDEA and Article 7), rules, and practices
• Working knowledge of state and federal school health laws, Indiana Nurse Practice Act, HIPAA and FERPA privacy laws
• Broad knowledge of Indiana and IPS special education and health policies, procedures and programs
• Understanding of state and federal funding for education including special education, Section 504, school health and wellness