Position Overview

Akiya Hayama International School (AHIS) seeks a qualified School Nurse to lead student health services while supporting the development of comprehensive health, safety, and risk management systems appropriate for an international, inquiry-based, and outdoor learning environment.
In addition to providing daily medical care, the School Nurse plays a key role in establishing preventative health practices, emergency preparedness, and risk mitigation procedures that enable safe participation in classroom, outdoor, and experiential learning programs.
Given AHIS’s emphasis on nature-based and outdoor learning, the School Nurse should feel comfortable supporting activities that take place in natural environments and responding to incidents that may occur outdoors.
As a founding staff member, this role contributes directly to building sustainable safeguarding, health, and wellbeing systems across the school community.

Key Responsibilities

1. Student Health Services

• Provide first aid, medical assessment, and nursing care for illness or injury

• Administer medications in accordance with school policy and parental authorization

• Monitor and support students with chronic or high-risk medical conditions

• Develop Individual Health Care Plans (IHCPs) where required

• Maintain safe and organized operation of the school health office

2. Health Risk Management & Prevention

Identify and monitor health-related risks across school environments.
Support safe participation in:

• Outdoor learning programs

• Field trips and excursions

• Physical education

• Camps and enrichment activities

Develop preventative protocols related to:

• Heat illness and hydration

• Allergies and anaphylaxis

• Infection prevention

• Environmental hazards

Advise school leadership on health considerations related to program design, schedules, and environmental conditions.

3. Outdoor Safety & First Response

Because AHIS places strong emphasis on learning in nature, the School Nurse will help support safe participation in outdoor environments. Candidates with outdoor first response experience are encouraged to apply. Those without prior experience should demonstrate interest and willingness to develop these skills.
Responsibilities include:

• Providing or coordinating first response care for injuries or incidents that occur in outdoor settings

• Developing safety guidance related to outdoor activities and environmental conditions

• Supporting risk assessment for nature-based learning experiences

• Helping establish clear response protocols for outdoor incidents

4. Emergency Preparedness & Response Systems

• Develop and maintain medical emergency response procedures

• Coordinate response protocols for:

  • Injury or sudden illness

  • Severe allergic reactions

  • Heat stroke or environmental exposure

  • Natural disasters and evacuation scenarios

• Maintain emergency medical kits across campus and for off-site activities

• Serve as the primary medical lead during emergencies

5. Policy Development & Compliance

• Establish and maintain school health and medical policies

• Ensure compliance with:

  • Japanese health and safety regulations

  • Child safeguarding requirements

  • School operational and safety standards

• Maintain confidential and compliant medical documentation systems

• Monitor immunization and required health records

6. Staff Training & Capacity Building

• Train staff annually, or as required, in:

  • First Aid / CPR / AED

  • Allergy and anaphylaxis response

  • Heat safety awareness

  • Medical emergency procedures

  • Basic outdoor incident response

• Support development of a proactive health and safety culture among staff

• Provide guidance for trip leaders and outdoor educators

7. Community & External Coordination

• Liaise with local clinics, hospitals, and emergency services

• Support communication with families regarding student medical needs

• Coordinate medical planning for excursions and school events

• Assist with communication and coordination during medical emergencies involving students

Required Qualifications

• Licensed Registered Nurse (RN) or equivalent recognized qualification

• Eligibility to practice nursing in Japan (看護師免許)

• Current certification in:

  • First Aid

  • CPR / AED

  • Pediatric emergency response

• Japanese language proficiency required for communication with families and local medical providers

• English communication skills are a plus, particularly for supporting international families

Preferred Experience

• Experience in school nursing or pediatric healthcare

• Experience contributing to health or safety planning

• Experience supporting outdoor or experiential learning environments

• Familiarity working with children and adolescents in educational settings

Personal Attributes

• Love of nature and comfort working in outdoor environments

• Calm and decisive under pressure

• Strong situational judgement and risk awareness

• Prevention-oriented and proactive mindset

• Excellent organizational and confidentiality practices

• Comfortable making practical decisions in dynamic environments

• Comfortable working in a startup / founding school environment

What Makes This Role Unique at AHIS

• Opportunity to build health, safety, and risk systems from the founding stage of the school

• Strong connection between student wellbeing and nature-based learning environments

• Close collaboration with educators to support safe experiential learning

• Meaningful role in shaping a healthy, safe, and resilient school culture