School Nurse

Essential Functions

• Works collaboratively with health care providers, students, parents, school district staff and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• Affirms 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 (ICHP) 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.

Additional Duties

• 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.

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.
• Licensed 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).
• NJ Department of Education School Nursing Certificate or potential to be certified.