School Nurse (LPN)

Department: Student Services | Reports To: Principal (Administrative Supervision) and Director of Nursing & Health Services (Clinical Supervision) | FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Qualifications

• Completion of an accredited LPN program
• Two years of previous experience in pediatric nursing, community health nursing, or school nursing preferred

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current license by the SC Board of Nursing for practice as a licensed practical nurse
• CPR & AED certification or obtain within two months of employment; must maintain certification during employment
• Must have current government issued identification

About the Role

Under general supervision provides nursing care, school-related nursing care coordination, health education, health counseling, health promotion and case finding in the school setting for the purpose of enabling students to participate fully in their educational program.

Responsibilities

• Supports and upholds the mission, vision and strategic goals of Lexington County School District One towards increased outcomes for students.
• Interacts, communicates and collaborates with all stakeholders effectively.
• Establishes a safe, supportive, positive and productive working and learning environment.
• Operates general office and technology equipment needed for daily activities.
• Maintains confidentiality regarding all employee and student information.
• Participates in all professional meetings and training sessions as required.
• Requests and maintains materials needed for daily responsibilities and essential functions; provides for safe storage and proper use of all tools, equipment and materials.

Health Services

• Maintains current knowledge of school district policies, school nursing practice standards, laws and regulations that govern nursing practice in South Carolina and other federal and state statutes governing school health services practices.
• Gathers data needed to develop and monitor nursing care plans for meeting the special health care needs of specific students.
• Uses the nursing process to provide care for students who present with acute health needs.
• Administers medications as prescribed by students' health care practitioners.
• Provides prescribed treatments and health procedures.
• Assists with toileting and diaper changing when necessary.
• Uses concepts related to continuous quality improvement to enhance the health services that are being provided.

Community & Parent Involvement

• Participates in relevant school and/or community activities.
• Maintains knowledge of community referral options.
• Serves as a liaison between parents and community resources.
• Facilitates the use of effective communication methods between and among individuals involved in a student's care.

Record Keeping & Compliance

• Promptly documents services provided.
• Uses school district required forms and documentation methods.
• Organizes work flow to meet specified reporting deadlines.
• Assesses student compliance with immunization requirements.
• Monitors compliance with the SC DHEC Exclusion Lists and district exclusion policies.
• Performs screening, referral, and follow-up based on the SC DHEC School Screening Recommendations.

Health Education & Promotion

• Educates students, school personnel, and parent/guardians regarding optimal health practices through individual consultations, school newsletters, presentations at school meetings (e.g. faculty meetings, PTA/PTO meetings) and use of other district communication systems.

Confidentiality & Technology

• Maintains confidentiality of personally identifiable data on students and staff.
• Effectively uses personal computing devices and software applications for the management of student records, instructional efficiency, and professional development.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Responsible for materials and supplies budget(s) as assigned.
• Responsible for supervision of students.
• No budgetary responsibility.

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Lexington County School District One Board policies.
• Must be able to access reliable transportation.
• Personal computer experience required.
• Strong knowledge of word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets, electronic file management, the internet, and reporting and presentation software.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication.
• Ability to apply knowledge and current research and theory.
• Ability to organize and implement a flexible work schedule in order to meet reporting deadlines.
• Ability to self-monitor and manage multiple tasks while working individually and with members of a group.
• Ability to submit all requested reports and documentation in a timely manner and in accordance with scheduled deadlines.
• Ability to handle extended hours and multiple demands from several people.
• Computer literacy required.
• Knowledge and skill of the techniques and practices of the nursing profession.
• Knowledge of concepts related to workplace Bloodborne pathogen risks and avoidance.
• Knowledge of concepts related to continuous quality improvement.
• Knowledge and skill in use of the nursing process to provide direct care services to students which include data collection, planning, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of:
  • Normal pediatric growth and development
  • Normal vital signs for adults and school-aged children and youth
  • Required pediatric immunizations
  • Emergency first aid
  • Safe nursing practices related to medication administration
  • Requirements of laws and regulations that govern nursing practice in South Carolina
• Skill in accurate use of tools and equipment commonly used in nursing practice.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Skill in use of a personal computer.
• Ability to manage the flow of a health setting where multiple patients present for services simultaneously.
• Ability to submit reports according to school district policies and procedures.
• Ability to function as a team member.
• Ability to demonstrate high level application of technology devices needed for daily activities.
• Ability to interact and communicate sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds as well as persons from all ages and lifestyle preferences.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds such as boxes of materials.
• Sometimes push/pull items such as furniture or boxes of materials.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, listen and/or reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision and distance vision.
• Occasionally work irregular or extended hours.
• Frequent use of a computer monitor and related equipment.
• Occasional stooping, bending, and reaching.
• Local travel required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is conducted in a school health room and/or classroom environment with exposure to discomforting and potentially dangerous conditions such as diseases, medications, and blood/body fluid exposure and frequent contact with ill students.
• May require work during outside activities.
• Occasionally requires physical exertion to manually move, lift, carry, pull, or push heavy objects or materials up to 50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet to loud depending upon the activity in the particular part of the day.

Pay

8 Hours/190 Days Support Staff Salary Scale (Grade 11.5). The terms of employment detailed in this job description are based on full time employment during the school year. Conditions of employment adjusted for part time employees or individuals who are hired for less than an entire school year.