School Nurse

Salary range information can be found on the district’s Salary Scales page.

Appoquinimink School District may require training in Safety-Care or a similar competency-based crisis-prevention intervention program as a condition of continued employment.

Failure to meet or maintain the listed licensing or certification requirements may result in withdrawal of the job offer or termination of employment. The district reserves the right to assess compliance at any time.

About the role

The School Nurse plays an active role in the health and safety of students and staff, enforcing State rules, regulations, and district policies to ensure the operations of the educational program. The nurse provides assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management, and referrals concerning student health and medical care needs to minimize absences due to illness, maximize educational opportunities, and create a healthy school climate.

Responsibilities

• Utilize practical nursing skills to perform medical treatments and procedures for students during school hours.
• Enforce appropriate immunization guidelines for all students according to Delaware State Law.
• Consult with students, school staff, parents, and physicians concerning student health concerns.
• Administer vision, hearing, and orthopedic screenings.
• Maintain accurate records, tests, reports, etc. as required by Delaware Statutes, Federal Regulations, and School Board Policy.
• Establish and maintain good rapport and communication with students, school personnel, parents, and the community.
• Participate as the health care professional at student service meetings.
• Engage in staff development activities to prevent and control contagious diseases, increase knowledge, and enhance the quality of nursing care.
• Provide staff development regarding health care issues.
• Assist in the surveillance and detection of illnesses.
• Collaborate with health care providers, students' parents, school district staff, and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive school health program.
• Collect information about the health development status of students for compliance with state immunization regulations and Board of Education policies.
• Conduct school programs of immunization, physical examinations, and sight and hearing testing.
• Perform nursing assessments for students who are ill or injured; apply appropriate theory as the basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention, and referrals.
• Evaluate nursing care provided and change the plan of care as necessary.
• Implement Board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis).
• Maintain accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law and Board of Education policies.
• Develop individual health care plans (IHCP) when needed, with specific goals, nursing diagnoses, and interventions delineating school-nursing actions unique to students' needs for incorporation into the student's individualized educational plan (IEP).
• Intervene as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain, or restore health, prevent illness, and effect rehabilitation.
• Serve as a member of school teams as the designated health care professional (e.g., Crisis Teams, PPT, and Section 504).
• Provide guidance, counseling, and health education to students, parents, and employees as necessary.
• Report to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs.
• Provide instruction and training regarding the Heimlich maneuver, Blood Borne Pathogen training, the school district's Emergency plan, and care for students, including those with disabilities.
• Contribute to nursing and school health through innovations in theory, practice, and participation in research, including narrative and statistical reports.
• Provide medical assessment to school district employees as requested.
• Provide health education to students as requested.
• Notify the appropriate person or agency of a student's injury/illness in accordance with Board policy as necessary.
• Confer with parents, students, and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.

Requirements

• BSN is required; Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Must meet qualifications of a school nurse as defined in state regulations.
• Three years of supervised clinical experience working with a pediatric population, preferably in a school setting.
• Knowledge of pediatric nursing and child development preferred.
• Experience in first aid, immunizations, and communicable diseases.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work with young students and parents.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Criminal background check and Tuberculin testing required.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible for State of Delaware Certification as a School Nurse.
• Registered professional nurse (R.N.) as defined and determined by state law, currently licensed in the state.
• Current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Physical Requirements

The following provides a brief description of physical requirements for this position:

• Occasionally required to stand, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; use fingers to type and/or write; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• Specific vision abilities required include close, distance, and color vision, peripheral and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions and related responsibilities of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Work Environment

This position normally performs work in a school building or participates in community-based instruction with various schools.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Criminal background check and tuberculosis test.
• Proper identification (Social Security Card and Driver’s License).
• Documentation of eligibility for employment in the U.S.A.
• Completion of I-9 form.
• Completion of paperwork for the Delaware Child Protection Registry.