Camp Nurse - 4-H Camp Owahta - McGraw, NY

Camp Nurse Position at 4-H Camp Owahta

Care for scrapes, soothe worries, and keep the adventure going at 4-H Camp Owahta! 4-H Camp Owahta, owned and operated by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Cortland County, is a vibrant 128-acre camp in McGraw, NY, complete with cabins, a rustic lodge, a waterfront, sports fields, and wooded trails. Each summer, the camp serves over 400 youth through its overnight and day camp programs.

The Camp Nurse is a crucial part of summer camp's success, and camp could not run without one! The Camp Nurse oversees the health and safety of all 4-H Camp Owahta campers and staff. Primary responsibilities of the Camp Nurse include, but are not limited to, maintaining daily medical logs of all infirmary visits, administering prescription medications, monitoring camper and staff health, taking the lead on injuries and illnesses throughout the camp day, keeping the infirmary stocked, and reviewing all camper health information. This position is expected to follow all 4-H Camp Owahta policies and procedures and comply with American Camp Association (ACA) standards and New York State Department Of Health (DOH) regulations. The Camp Nurse is welcome to attend and participate in any/all camp activities, as able.

This position is responsible for performing all duties outlined in this description, as well as other responsibilities as assigned and deemed appropriate by the Outdoor Recreation Director.

Required Qualifications:

• A NYS Licensed Physician, NYS Licensed Nurse Practitioner (NP), NYS Licensed Physician Assistant (PA), NYS Licensed Registered Nurse (RN), NYS Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
• Work the entire camp season and staff training week; June 29-July 3 and July 5-August 14.
• Stay on the camp property at all times when campers are present.
• Ability to build positive, approachable relationships with youth, parents, and staff.
• Desire, ability and willingness to work and live in a camp community and to reside at 4-H Camp Owahta, McGraw, NY (including overnights) the entire duration of the camp season (July 5-August 14, 2026).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification(s) from courses approved by the NYS Department Of Health (will re-certify if necessary).
• Experience in children and adult illness/injury care.
• Demonstrated ability to read and follow directions on medication labels, health forms, physician orders and parent letters.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with parents and staff about camper health concerns.
• Receptiveness to guidance, supervision and feedback.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to work well with others.
• Menu Planning for a variety of dietary needs.
• Experience working with children and youth in an outdoor environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with parents and staff about camper health concerns.
• Experience and/or training with address mental health challenges and situations.

Position Responsibilities:

Infirmary Operations, Supplies & Set-Up:

• One week prior and the week of staff training, clean, organize and stock the infirmary.
• Organize, clean and maintain a stocked infirmary to meet current and potential health needs.
• Communicate with the Outdoor Recreation Director on medical supplies that are needed.
• Assist the summer camp leadership team in preparing and distributing first aid kits throughout camp; waterfront, program areas, cabins and dining hall.

Health Care, Monitoring & Medication Management:

• Meet the health care needs of each camper and staff member.
• Monitor the health of all campers and staff each day.
• Develop and maintain a schedule for administering all camper medications.
• Report any health concerns or symptoms of illness to the Outdoor Recreation Director immediately.
• Read and follow all healthcare policies and procedures within the 4-H Camp Department Of Health Safety Plan.
• Supervise sanitation conditions throughout camp.
• Be aware of and proactive to camper and staff physical, emotional and mental needs and assist if appropriate.

Documentation, Health Forms & Compliance:

• Review all camper health information and reach out to parents for additional information if needed.
• Connect with parents if their camper is missing a required health form.
• Record and maintain records of all visits to the infirmary including but not limited to: the reason for their visit, date, time, steps taken/care given, follow up steps if needed, and who administered the first aid.
• Store and maintain all camper and staff health information in a double locked location at camp as per the New York State Department Of Health standards.
• Complete any additional paperwork needed as it pertains to an accident, incident or injury.

Staff Training, Communication & Collaboration:

• Provide a medical orientation to staff during training week that includes but is not limited to; camp staff's role in camper health, how and when to communicate to the nurse, infirmary hours, specific camper health needs/concerns, emergency procedures, medication administration schedules, accident prevention, risk management procedures, etc.
• Monitor the condition of equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to, report repairs immediately to the Outdoor Recreation Director or Assistant Camp Director.
• Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff through attitude, body language, and behavior at all times.
• Establish and maintain positive rapport with all campers, families, staff, volunteers and camp visitors.
• Cooperate and actively engage with directors, volunteers and counselors in the development and implementation of all camp activities.
• Keep all coordinators, counselors and directors updated with pertinent information.
• Communicate, support and collaborate on camper behavior management to camp leadership.
• Abide by and role model all 4-H Camp Owahta rules, policies and procedures throughout the summer camp season.

Professional Improvement and Other Duties as Assigned - 5%:

• Attend 4-H Camp Owahta staff training week, participate in staff meetings and required training events as scheduled.
• Submit all required or requested reports, etc. in a timely manner.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Outdoor Recreation Director and Day Camp Director.

Health and Safety - Applied to all duties and functions:

• Support the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
• Be familiar and strive to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
• Act proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicate hazards to supervisors when identified.

Job Title: Association Tmp Camp Nurse

Level: No Grade - Annual

Pay Rate Type: Salary

Company: Contact Name: Jerilynn Cross

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a collaboration among Cornell University, the United States Department of Agriculture, the State of New York, and the residents of New York State. Per NYS Law, county and regional extension service associations are subordinate government agencies. This employment opportunity is with the entities listed and not with Cornell University.