About this role
POSITION: School Physician LOCATION: District REPORTS TO: Director of Student Services GENERAL DUTIES: Newport Public Schools seeks a qualified, licensed physician to serve as the District School Physician. The School Physician provides medical consultation, oversight, and professional guidance related to the health and safety of students and staff, including student health concerns, communicable diseases, medical accommodations, and school health policies and procedures. The School Physician serves in an advisory and consultative capacity and does not assume the day-to-day responsibilities of school nurses or school administrators. EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:
• Graduation from an accredited medical school.
• Current and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island.
• Current certification by an appropriate medical specialty board or eligibility for board certification.
• Current DEA registration, if required for the services provided.
• Current professional liability/malpractice insurance appropriate to the services provided.
• Experience in pediatrics, family medicine, adolescent medicine, occupational medicine, public health, school health, or a related field preferred.
• Knowledge of school health practices, public health requirements, and the medical needs of school-age children and adolescents preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with school nurses, administrators, parents/guardians, medical providers, and other professionals.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Provide medical consultation and professional guidance to the District regarding student health and school health services.
• Serve as a medical resource to school nurses and District administrators on health-related matters.
• Consult with school nursing staff regarding complex or unusual student health concerns, as appropriate.
• Provide guidance regarding the development, implementation, and review of school health policies and procedures.
• Provide consultation regarding students with significant, complex, or potentially life-threatening medical conditions when requested by the District.
• Advise the District regarding appropriate health accommodations and school-based supports for students, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provide medical consultation, when appropriate, regarding a student's ability to safely participate in school activities, athletics, field trips, or other school-sponsored activities.
• Review and provide medical guidance concerning health-related concerns that may affect a student's ability to attend or participate in school.
• Provide medical guidance regarding communicable diseases and other public health concerns affecting the school community.
• Consult with District nursing staff and appropriate public health authorities regarding communicable disease prevention, reporting, and response.
• Advise the District regarding appropriate exclusion, return-to-school, and other health-related measures when medically indicated.
• Assist the District in responding to significant public health concerns or health emergencies affecting students or staff.
• Review existing District health policies and procedures and provide recommendations for updates when appropriate.
• Assist in developing protocols for emerging or significant health concerns.
• Provide guidance regarding emergency medical procedures and school health preparedness.
• Participate in the review of health-related incidents when requested by the Superintendent or designee.
• Provide medical consultation to the District regarding employee health matters when appropriate and within the scope of the physician's contracted responsibilities.
• Review medical information when specifically requested by the District for purposes permitted by applicable law.
• Provide medical recommendations regarding an employee's ability to perform specific job functions when appropriately authorized and when such consultation falls within the physician's contractual duties.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality of all employee and student medical information.
• Provide consultation regarding emergency response procedures, first aid, CPR/AED practices, and other health and safety matters as appropriate.
• Advise the District regarding current medical practices and emerging health concerns relevant to the school environment.
• Maintain effective communication with the Superintendent or designee and District nursing staff.
• Participate in meetings with District personnel when medical consultation is necessary.
• Collaborate, as appropriate, with the Rhode Island Department of Health, local health officials, hospitals, medical providers, and other health agencies.
• Provide timely consultation when circumstances require medical guidance.
• Perform other medical advisory and consultative duties reasonably related to the position and assigned by the Superintendent or designee.
• Provide recommendations consistent with accepted medical standards and applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
PHYSICAL AND WORKING REQUIREMENTS: The School Physician must be able to perform the professional duties associated with the position and, when necessary, visit District schools and participate in meetings, consultations, or health-related response activities. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: The School Physician shall be retained pursuant to an annual or multi-year professional services agreement approved by the Newport Public Schools and/or School Committee, as applicable. The specific number of service hours, consultation availability, compensation, and other contractual terms shall be established in the executed agreement. APPLICATIONS: Applicants apply through www.schoolspring.com. Applicants are not to approach members of the Newport School Committee. Individual contact between applicants and School Committee members may constitute grounds for disqualifying an application. Providing Students Opportunities and Access to the World Through Quality Education AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The Newport School Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, color, disability or veteran status