Lead Nurse

Location: Livingston, NJJob Type: Full TimeAbout Pillar Care ContinuumPillar Care Continuum is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities and other special needs by supporting personal growth, independence and participation in the community. Founded in 1953 to meet the needs of children with cerebral palsy and their families, Pillar Care has steadily grown and now delivers life-affirming services to infants, children, adults and their families throughout northern New Jersey through 27 program locations. Pillar Care provides specialized programs to meet a wide range of educational, therapeutic, and social needs of people with various disabilities. The agency serves over 1,650 families each year and employs 700 full- and part-time employees.Position OverviewThe organization is seeking a highly skilled and compassionate Lead Nurse to oversee nursing services across both the Elementary and High School programs. This leadership role will serve as a critical clinical liaison between school administration and the Director of Nursing, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and student-centered healthcare services.The Lead Nurse will provide clinical oversight, and strategic direction to all school nursing staff while ensuring adherence to all New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) requirements and healthcare regulations.Key ResponsibilitiesLeadershipLead and support all school nursing staff across Elementary and High School programsMaintain and implement the annual nursing services plan in compliance with NJDOE requirementsServe as the primary clinical bridge between school administration and the Director of NursingIEP & Student Health PlanningParticipate as the nursing representative on student IEP teams as neededDevelop and maintain Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHCPs) and Individualized Emergency Healthcare Plans (IEHCPs)Collaborate with Child Study Teams, behaviorists, and therapists on evaluations and service planningEnsure all IEP-mandated nursing services are consistently covered to prevent gaps in care and ensure compliance with FAPE requirementsMedically Fragile & Complex CareOversee care for medically fragile students, including those requiring 1:1 nursing support per IEPManage complex medical needs, including but not limited to G-tubes, seizure disorders, respiratory conditions, and behavioral health considerationsEstablish and maintain emergency protocols and individualized crisis response plansMedication AdministrationOversee and authorize all medication administration processesConduct routine audits of Medication Administration Records (MARs), physician orders, and clinical documentationStaff Training & DevelopmentTrain school staff on student-specific healthcare needs (e.g., seizures, diabetes, allergies, CPR/AED)Ensure all nursing staff maintain current licensure and required certificationsLead onboarding and orientation for new nursing hiresAssist with medical education training coverage and guidance at new employee orientationHealth Screenings & ComplianceCoordinate all mandated health screenings, including vision, hearing, growth, and postural assessmentsEnsure full immunization compliance for all enrolled studentsReport on health-related incidents and hospitalizations, collaborating with the Director of Nursing on or DCF-related mattersFamily & Community CoordinationServe as the primary health liaison between nursing staff, families, and students’ healthcare providersCommunicate physician orders, coordinate specialist referrals, and ensure follow-up on aftercare documentationQualificationsActive Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of New JerseyCurrent Certified School Nurse CertificateBachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree preferredMinimum of 5 years of nursing experience, with leadership or supervisory experience strongly preferredExperience in school nursing, pediatric care, or working with medically complex and/or developmentally disabled populationsStrong knowledge of IEP processes, NJDOE regulations, and healthcare compliance standardsCurrent CPR/AED certificationCompensation And BenefitsSalary : $ 95,000-105,000 annually Pillar Care takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s workexperience and qualification as well as the scope of the role,complexity and external market and internal market value whendetermining salary level.BenefitsCompetitive Insurance Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, EAP, Life Insurance)Flexible Spending Account/Health Reimbursement AccountPaid Holidays; Generous PTO401K with Employer MatchingEducational Assistance ProgramThis job description is a brief listing of the functions and requirements of the position named above. It is not intended to serve as a contract for employment nor to list in specific detail every aspect of the job nor to limit the performance of those duties. Other tasks may be assigned as deemed necessary by agency administration.Every Pillar Care employee is responsible for the implementation of the Exposure Control Plan (ECP). As specified in our exposure control plan this position is classified as: Category 2Category 2Employees who perform tasks that involve no exposure to bloodor body fluids but may perform unplanned procedures usually performed by Category I employees.