School Nurse

About the Role

To provide assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management and/or referrals concerning the health and medical care needs of students for the purpose of minimizing absences due to illness, maximizing educational opportunities, and creating a healthy school climate.

Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with health care providers, students, parents, school district staff, and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• Assists in the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive school health program.
• Collects information about the health development status of students for compliance with state immunization regulations and Board of Education policies.
• Conducts school programs of immunization, physical examinations, and sight and hearing testing.
• Performs nursing assessment for students who are ill or injured; applies appropriate theory as basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention, and referrals for those students.
• Evaluates nursing care provided and changes plan of care as necessary.
• Implements Board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis).
• Maintains accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law, and Board of Education policies.
• Develops individual health care plan (IHP) when needed with specific goals, nursing diagnosis, and interventions delineating school-nursing actions unique to students' needs and for incorporation into the student's individualized educational plan (IEP).
• Intervenes as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain, or restore health, prevent illness, and effect rehabilitation.
• Serves as a member of school teams as designated health care professional (e.g., Crisis Teams, PPT, Section 504).
• Provides guidance, counseling, and health education to students, parents, and employees as necessary.
• Reports to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs.
• Provides instruction and training regarding the Heimlich Maneuver, Blood Borne Pathogen training, the school district's Emergency plan, and with regard to providing care for students, including students with disabilities.
• Contributes to nursing and school health through innovations in theory, practice, and participation in research, including narrative and statistical reports.
• Provides medical assessment to school district employees as requested.
• Provides health education to students as requested.
• Notifies the appropriate person or agency of student's injury/illness in accordance with Board policy as necessary.
• Confers with parents, students, and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisors or other administrators.

Equipment

• Uses medical equipment to provide health care to students/staff, including, but not limited to, blood glucose monitor, stethoscopes, thermometers, sphygmomanometers.
• Uses personal computers.

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses and injuries, nutrition, and related areas.
• Ability to diagnose and provide care for ill or injured students.
• Ability to convey appropriate medical information to school district staff or medical professionals to ensure proper maintenance in the school setting.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed for position.
• Ability to understand, apply, and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, the Internet, Outlook, electronic mail).
• Ability to problem solve job-related issues.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and students with special needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written orders from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and to coordinate work with principal, teachers, and others.
• Ability to describe orally and in writing school health services provided, issues, and concerns regarding school health.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and others contacted in the course of work.

Safety Requirements

• Adheres to all applicable professional safety standards and practices in the nursing field, including requirements set forth in federal and state law, and Occupational Safety and Health regulations.
• Implements Board Policy regarding Blood Borne Pathogens and other Board policies regarding the medical or health care of employees and students.

Physical and Mental Demands

• Work in standard school building environment.
• Exposure to body secretions, blood borne pathogens, medicine and medicinal supplies, illnesses, and diseases.

Qualifications

• Any combination of education, licenses, certifications, and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
  • Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related science area, with coursework in growth and development, health assessment, public or school health, crisis intervention, and health education.
  • Master's degree in related field preferred.
• Must meet qualifications of a school nurse as defined in state regulations.
• Successful experiences working with pediatric population, preferably in a community or school setting desirable.
• Registered professional nurse, designated as R.N. as defined and determined by state law, and currently licensed in the state.
• Current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).