Health Paraprofessional (SY26-27)

Health Paraprofessional

The Office of Health Services acts as a catalyst for student achievement by managing the health and wellness needs of Boston Public Schools students. We are seeking a detail-oriented Health Paraprofessional for a 2-year grant-funded position designed to enhance the district's health screening capabilities.

This position is based out of the Office of Health Services and is deployed to individual schools on a rotating schedule. The Paraprofessional is directed by the Office of Health Services administration, while working collaboratively alongside School Nurses to support student health, manage screening data, and process critical referrals.

Responsibilities

• Health Screening Implementation
• Execute district-wide health screenings as assigned by the Office of Health Services. These screenings include Vision, Hearing, BMI (Height/Weight), and Postural/Scoliosis, utilizing both standard charts and grant-funded electronic screening tools.
• Manage the setup and breakdown of screening stations at various school sites, ensuring an efficient workflow for large groups of students.
• Adapt screening protocols to accommodate diverse student populations, utilizing culturally responsive tools (e.g., LEA Symbols) for English Learners.
• Data Entry & Referral Management
• Data Integrity: Enter all screening results (Pass/Fail/Unable to Test) into the SNAP Health Center platform with high accuracy and within designated timelines.
• Referral Processing: Identify students who failed screenings and generate official referral letters for families. Ensure these referrals are printed and organized for distribution.
• Audit Support: Assist the Office of Health Services in auditing screening data to ensure all mandated reporting requirements for the grant are met.
• School Nurse Collaboration & Support
• Operational Support: While deployed to a school, support the School Nurse with appropriate health office tasks, such as managing student flow, organizing supplies, or assisting with non-clinical administrative duties.
• Student Wellness: Assist in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for students visiting the health office.
• Communication: Serve as a liaison between the central Office of Health Services and school-based staff regarding screening schedules and logistics.
• Training & Professional Growth
• Mandatory Certification: Successfully complete the BU SHIELD School Health Screenings Course to demonstrate competency in Vision, Hearing, BMI, and Postural screening protocols.
• Continuous Learning: Participate in all required training sessions for specific screening devices, software systems (SNAP), and district health protocols.
• Confidentiality: Maintain strict adherence to student privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA) regarding medical status and screening results.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED (Associate's Degree or 48 college credits preferred in accordance with BPS Paraprofessional standards).
• Mandatory Training: Willingness and ability to complete the BU SHIELD School Health Screenings Course immediately upon hire.
• Technical Aptitude: Demonstrated ability to perform data entry, navigate software platforms (specifically SNAP Health Center), and operate electronic office/medical equipment.
• Adaptability: Ability to work in different school environments and travel between sites as directed by the Office of Health Services.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate with various School Nurses and administrators.
• Clearance: Successful completion of CORI/SORI background checks.
• Mobility: Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for district-wide travel.

Preferred:

• Language Skills: BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity. BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS' official languages: Spanish, Creole (Cape Verdean), Creole (Haitian), Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, & Somali
• Experience: Prior experience with health data entry, medical records, or working in a school health setting.

Terms: BTU, contractual hourly rate.

THIS IS A GRANT FUNDED POSITION FUNDED THROUGH JUNE 2027.

The start and end times of BPS schools vary, as do the lengths of the school day. Some BPS schools have a longer school day through the "Schedule A" Expanded Learning Time (ELT) Agreement.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.