School Nurse (Updated)

Pay Grade: 204 | Duty Days: 187 | Salary Range: $63,000-$75,930 | FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Role

Provides for the promotion and maintenance of health as well as the prevention of illness and injuries. Facilitates the removal of health-related barriers to learning and promotes an optimal level of wellness for students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs); evaluates outcomes of skilled and direct nursing care and procedures for students, including those who are medically fragile, to ensure safe integration of the student into the school environment.
• Provides direct care using professional assessment skills, the nursing process, IHPs, and established school health protocols; provides health counseling and instruction to individual students.
• Assesses student problems, communicates with parents regarding individual students, and ensures appropriate referrals and follow up as needed; serves as a liaison between school personnel, the family, healthcare professionals, and the community.
• Notifies parents of accidents or illnesses.
• Secures and/or provides emergency medical care for students, staff, or visitors as needed.
• Serves as a health advocate for students and a health resource for staff.
• Ensures that medications and specialized health care procedures (e.g., catheterizations, tracheostomy care, diabetic care, and g-button feeding when ordered by the student’s health care provider) are administered to students according to District policy and procedures.
• Establishes and implements effective procedures for carrying out mandatory screening programs.
• Follows State, Local, and District guidelines and procedures for mitigating communicable diseases.
• Offers home visits to help with student health problems as necessary.
• Educates faculty and staff as needed on health-related topics.
• Provides health education to individuals and groups including contributing to campus communications to parents and the local community regarding health issues.
• Collaborates closely with campus principal and other staff to ensure a healthy school environment; works to meet the health needs of the general school population and those students with identified health conditions.
• Participates in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARD), Section 504, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) meetings of students with identified health needs and develops IHPs.
• Works with District personnel regarding implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plans, Student Support Plans (SSP).
• Advises campus administration in crisis or emergency situations; appropriately notifies Health Services of crisis or emergency situations.
• Participates in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.
• Works with Director of Health Services and Nurse Specialists to develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health program and makes changes based on findings; develops and recommends campus policies and procedures to promote the health and wellness of students, staff, and visitors.
• Compiles, maintains, and files all reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records and confidential student health records (e.g., nursing services in Student Information System [SIS], electronic medical record, immunization records, medication administration records, individual student treatment records, and IHPs).
• Maintains inventory of medical equipment and requests supplies from Health Services as needed.
• Complies with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of State Health Services rule, State Board of Education rule, and board policy; follows all District and campus routines and regulations.
• Reports potential health and safety hazards to principal and Health Services.
• Functions in accordance with the Texas Nursing Practice Act, the Texas Board of Nursing Rules, and the District’s policies and procedures.
• Maintains professional nursing licensure, skills, and knowledge including certification for mandated screenings and Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers: Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
• Performs preventive maintenance on tools and equipment and ensures equipment is in safe operating condition.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties including lifting and climbing; operates tools and equipment according to established safety procedures.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area and promptly reports any conditions that are not immediately correctable to supervisor.
• Handles and disposes of hazardous materials according to established procedures.
• Trains, provides general guidance, and delegates health-related activities to Health Assistants, unlicensed diabetes care assistants, other unlicensed assistive personnel, or other school personnel who have responsibility for assisting students with health needs.
• Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates staff, and makes recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program required.
• Associate’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Valid registered nurse license (RN) to practice in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners.
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS-Healthcare providers) certification including Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), and hands-on skills testing portion.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) working proficiency preferred in some settings.

Skills

• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education, as well as District policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable medical terminology and federal, state, and local laws governing student health services.
• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health concerns and health-related conditions.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and CPR.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis, and the formulation of action plans.
• Skill in talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Skill in coordinating, planning, organizing, facilitating, and completing projects.
• Ability to operate standard medical clinic equipment, including AED and special needs adaptive equipment.
• Ability to exercise discretion regarding matters of a sensitive or confidential nature.
• Ability to work with students with physical, emotional, educational, and/or intellectual disabilities.
• Ability to analyze and prepare documents, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to use software to create spreadsheets, databases, and do word processing.
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms with staff members, parents, health care providers, agencies, and District staff.
• Ability to engage in self-evaluation with regard to performance and professional growth.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others contacted in the course of work.

Schedule

187 duty days per year.

Physical & Mental Demands

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment, including computer and peripherals; standard medical clinic equipment, including automated external defibrillator (AED); special needs adaptive equipment.
• Posture: Prolonged sitting and standing; occasional stooping, squatting, kneeling, bending, pushing/pulling, and twisting.
• Motion: Frequent repetitive hand motions, including keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching; grasping/squeezing; wrist flexion/extension; frequent walking.
• Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, and/or assisting non-ambulatory students.
• Environment: Works in an office setting; exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases; may require occasional irregular and/or prolonged hours.
• Attendance: Regular and punctual attendance at the worksite is required for this position.
• Mental Demands: Maintains emotional control under stress; works with frequent interruptions.

Travel Requirements

Travels to school district buildings and professional meetings as required; occasionally travels to student homes for health-related problems.