School Nurse LPN

Safety & Well-Being of Students

Outcome: All Critical Life Safety Programs and policies are trained, implemented, documented, followed up on and evaluated in alignment with The Center for Discovery philosophy.

Provide ongoing observation of students within the framework of holistic nursing practice and in accordance with the principles of individual and family centered care.

Observe and report data regarding individual and families’ culture, value system, lifestyle and the interest and ability to participate in their care, and any other factors impacting successful treatment outcomes.

Identify and communicate individual and family needs to the supervising Registered Nurse, interdisciplinary health care team, and other providers as needed.

Provide ongoing monitoring of individual response to intervention in.

Identify and report deviations from expected outcomes and change in individual status to the supervising Registered Nurse.

Student Health Planning

Develop and implement a comprehensive person specific nursing plan of care in collaboration with the Registered Nurse and aligning with The Center for Discovery Philosophy.

Career Development and Accountability

Prioritize nursing interventions to achieve individual outcomes and goals.

Promote a comprehensive individual plan, coordinated by the interdisciplinary team to meet the individual’s needs.

Inclusive of health promotion, self-management, identification and coordination of resources to promote the continuity of care.

Update student’s medical record as required, inclusive of obtaining updated medical information such as annual physicals, immunization records and providers orders in compliance with New York State Education Department.

All records should be given to the School Nursing Director in a timely manner.

Intervention

Establish and maintain a therapeutic relationship with students and families.

Identify, initiate and coordinate therapeutic interventions consistent with the scope of practice and level of competence.

Implement prescribed interventions and perform independent nursing interventions.

Consult with the Registered Nurse, interdisciplinary team and medical home providers to discuss changes related to individual status and modifies interventions.

Provide information and instruction to assist individual to understand health care practices and processes.

Care is coordinated and delivered within the confines of available human, material and fiscal resources of The Center for Discovery.

Evaluate Outcome: Ensure that students plan of nursing care is appropriate based on relevant data and evidenced based best practices.

Professional Development and Accountability

Reflect The Center for Discovery’s and New York State’s Core Competencies Standard for the day to day practice of supporting people with Developmental Disabilities and Complex Medical Conditions in conjunction with the Nurse Practice Act.

Practice within the professional, legal and ethical standards and is accountable for his or her own actions and decisions at all times.

Demonstrate professionalism in attitude, dress and behavior.

Contribute to positive team functioning and supporting one another.

Develop cultural competence in order to provide culturally competent care.

Actively participate in developing and evaluating professional goals and performance at regular intervals.

Role model the principles of continuous quality improvement by critically reflecting one’s own practice, seeking meaningful feedback from peers, clients and managers.

Report professional practice issues according The Center for Discovery Quality Assurance Standards.

Professional Leadership, Education and Research

Ensure all staff and programs are aimed at positively impacting the students/families experience and supporting the culture of The Center for Discovery.

Support the philosophy, vision and mission of The Center for Discovery, including the HealthE6 framework.

Promote a safe work environment by identifying and reporting potential risk issues.

Demonstrate an awareness of organizational needs by establishing priorities.

Function as a change agent by thinking respectively, questioning assumptions, assessing alternatives and supporting change.

Accept responsibility for continuing competencies through ongoing professional development including participation in education programs, research and continuous quality programs.

Qualifications

• Graduate of an approved Practical Nursing Program
• Two years of work experience in nursing preferred with expertise based on prior experience with students with intellectual or physical disabilities
• Maintain required licensing and mandated training by the NYS Education Department

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Putting People First – Supports a person’s unique capacities, personality and potential
• Built and Maintained Positive Relationships/Teamwork/Communication – Creates meaningful communication and balances team and individual responsibility
• Demonstrates Professionalism/Cultural Sensitivity – Develop professional relationships; demonstrates professional behavior; exhibits equity, inclusion, unity, and respect
• Supports Good Health – Promotes positive behavior and supports health and wellness (Food philosophy, diet and exercise)
• Adaptability – Modifies competing demands and changes in the work environment as needed

Personal Characteristics And Skills

• Ability to balance and prioritize numerous demands
• Ability to work within the team environment and to actively contribute to individual care planning
• Strong communication skills and ability to adapt communication styles to meet the needs of the individual, family or healthcare team member
• Knowledge of the roles, responsibilities and rights of other nurses and other healthcare team members
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel. Use of all Electronic Health Record (EHR) and/or ability to learn and adapt to changes in workflow relate EHRs as systems change and update
• Critical thinking skills
• Sound Judgement, both clinical and personal
• Strong observation skills
• Support a respectful, team oriented workplace
• Flexibility in work assignment and location

Physical Demands

• Frequently on feet, walking and standing required
• Frequently required to perform a two person lift and/or transfer
• Required to lift equipment or materials of various weights and sizes as needed
• Transport of students in wheelchair as needed
• Transition of students in and out of agency vehicles as needed
• Frequent bending and/or stooping required
• Donning of Personal Protective Equipment, including use of N95 masks, as needed

Work Environment

• Exposure to wet and/or humid conditions
• Exposure to fumes or airborne particles
• Exposure to human elements/excrements
• Noise level in the work environment is usually loud
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions
• Contact with contagious or infectious diseases