Medical Coordinator & Outdoor Programs Job Announcement

The Outdoor Academy
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina

 

The Outdoor Academy is an accredited, residential, semester school for tenth and eleventh-grade students. Rising from a long tradition of experiential education at Eagle’s Nest Foundation, a non-profit organization chartered in 1950, The Outdoor Academy infuses its honors-level college preparatory curriculum with environmental education, outdoor adventures, character and leadership development, and unique arts offerings in a small community setting. Established in 1995, The Outdoor Academy enrolls up to 28 students from across the United States each semester to attend our school located in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina. The mission of the school is “Experiential education for young people, promoting the natural world and the betterment of human character.” The school is built around its four cornerstones of Intellect, Environment, Craft, and Community, and ENF and

 

POSITION SUMMARY

 The Medical Coordinator oversees the health and wellbeing of the student body of The Outdoor Academy. Prior to the semester, they update policies and protocols and coordinate with the admissions team to onboard new students. During the semester, they coach residential staff in providing care, identify and rectify health and safety issues, make determinations about seeking a higher level of care in uncertain situations, coordinate doctors’ appointments, manage students’ medications, communicate with families, train residential faculty in dispensing medications and documenting health-related incidents, and maintain medical and health-related records. The Medical Coordinator also sits on the ENF Risk Management Committee.

CONTRACT DATES

January 2022 – May 2022.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

 Preparing for a Semester / Onboarding New Students

  1. Work with OA Administration to refine and update COVID-19 mitigation policies and protocols based on current pandemic / endemic conditions.
  2. Work with the admissions team prior to the semester to review student health information, create health form binders, and identify needs for further communication with families to clarify information about medications or providing care for students.
  3. Coordinate standing orders with ENF’s consulting physician and those of Eagle’s Nest Camp and Hante Adventures…
  4. Coordinate annual epinephrine training for faculty orientation period.
  5. Create hard-copy Medical Administration Records for outdoor programming and Electronic Medical Administration Records for on-campus medication dispensing.
  6. Organize and restock the OA Medical Cabinet in the Sun Lodge prior to the semester.
  7. Assess the current stock of medical supplies, OTC medications, and epinephrine and make necessary purchases to refresh or replace stock as needed. Track epinephrine expiration dates.
  8. Provide all faculty with relevant health information related to medications, allergies, dietary restrictions, physical limitations, etc.
  9. Provide residential faculty, the OA Chef and Assistant Chef, and the Outdoor Education Manager with detailed notes about dietary restrictions and food allergies.
  10. Coordinate pre-semester and Opening Day health screenings
  11. Receive student medications on Opening Day and repackage them for Orientation Trek
  12. Stock the OA Medical Cabinet with student medications and supplements after Opening Day.
  13. Work with the Outdoor Education Manager to prepare and maintain Trek Kits

 

Providing Student Care

  1. During student orientation, conduct a session on hygiene and staying healthy in a congregate living setting
  2. See students regarding non-emergency health concerns and provide care within the scope of practice; coordinate doctor or urgent care visits as necessary.
  3. Coach faculty in providing appropriate care within the scope of their practice.
  4. Support faculty in making determinations about care plans.
  5. Coordinate coverage and a care plan with faculty when a student is in the “Sick Room”
  6. As available, respond to medical emergencies on campus.
  7. Communicate with families to provide information and updates about student health and wellness.
  8. Coordinate concussion plans with the healthcare providers and faculty in the event of a student concussion; monitor students’ progress in healing and adjust the “return to learn” plan as needed.

 

Administrative Duties During the Semester

  1. Coordinate with families, doctors, and pharmacies to facilitate medication refills, prescription changes, etc. Update MARS/eMARS as needed.
  2. Schedule and facilitate doctor’s/dentist/orthodontist appointments for routine matters (e.g. allergy shots, etc.)
  3. Create and monitor an online health log using Google Docs.
  4. Restock the Medical Cabinet with first aid supplies and OTC medications as needed.
  5. Serve in the Incident Chain of Command whenever present and as an Administrator on Duty approximately one week per month during the school year.
  6. Collaborate with the OA Director and Dean of Students to provide professional development opportunities for the staff.
  7. Maintain and replenish Trek Kits after outdoor programs.
  8. Archive all medical documents as required by law and ENF documentation retention policies at the end of each semester
  9. Stay abreast of best practices in medical care and needed adjustments to OA’s policies and practices, with special attention to COVID-19 issues.

 

Outdoor Programming During the Semester

  1. Support OA outdoor programs as a trip leader / co-leader approximately 10-12 days a semester. Specific field days will be assigned by the OA Director based on the Medical Coordinator’s background and interests and the needs of the school.
  2. Participate in outdoor programming professional development activities offered by the OA Outdoor Education Manager (OEM)
  3. Support the OEM in preparing for trips (e.g. assisting with food packout, gear preparation, etc.)

 

REQUIREMENTS

  1. BS or BA degree required; an advanced degree or certification in a medical profession is preferred
  2. A minimum of a WFR certification; candidates who are EMTs, PAs, RNs, NPs, and APRNs will be prioritized.
  3. Experience with wilderness medicine is desirable
  4. Experience leading groups backpacking, rock climbing, and/or whitewater canoeing is desirable
  5. Experience in an academic or residential setting
  6. Experience working with teenagers

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SCHEDULE

The majority of work will be conducted on campus; however, off-site administrative work and outdoors supervising of teenagers may occur several times each semester.  Outdoor program work may require the ability to work long days in hot and/or cold environments and lift heavy gear and boxes.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. To fulfill program demands, flexibility to work evenings and weekends may be needed.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Outdoor Academy provides salary, retirement plan, Camp and OA discounts for dependent children, professional development as an outdoor instructor, equipment use and pro-deals on gear, and outdoor leadership training.

 

TO APPLY: Submit your resume, cover letter, and our online application form using the link below.

Application Deadline: Open until position is filled.

 

APPLY NOW

 

Eagle’s Nest Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on or tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, disability, military status, veteran status or any other condition under applicable under federal, state or local law.