Substitute School Nurse [Pay Rate: $309.00 per day or $154.50 per half day]

The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. We value and strive for the highest levels of family and community engagement, culturally relevant organizational practices, school climate, student-centered learning, a diverse staff of excellent educators, equitable student access, and fiscal equity. We seek candidates who are passionate about these values, represent the diversity of our community, and will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts.

About the Role

The school nurse is the health professional in the school and is responsible for carrying out the total health services program. The nurse reports to the Senior Nurse Administrator for program implementation and to the principal of the school as a member of the school support services team.

Responsibilities

• Implements school health policies, communicable disease control, first aid measures, and standing orders in the assigned school(s).
• Applies theories from nursing and the physical, behavioral, public health, and social sciences to provide health counseling to students, parents, and staff, making referrals to community resources when appropriate.
• Keeps accurate and comprehensive health records.
• Determines if all pupils have complied with the state-mandated immunization requirements.
• Arranges and conducts special immunization programs, when requested by the School Medical Advisor, in consultation with the Newington Director of Health.
• Arranges for and assists school doctors in giving physical examinations to students and athletes; interprets the results to students, their parents, and school personnel when indicated.
• Assumes responsibility for vision, hearing, and posture screening and makes proper referrals on any deviations from normal.
• Cares for emergencies and sudden illnesses occurring at school and instructs others on how to provide staff follow-up care.
• Collaborates with other school professionals, parents, and caregivers to meet the health, developmental, and educational needs of students and serves as a member of interdisciplinary teams.
• Contributes to the education of students with special health care needs by assessing the client, planning and providing appropriate nursing care, and evaluating identified outcomes.
• Assists students, families, and the school community to achieve optimum levels of wellness through appropriately designed and delivered health education.
• Remains current with professional nursing literature.
• Prepares health care plans for students as needed.
• May perform additional tasks and duties as requested.

Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of health-related education and public health laws, practices, and procedures.
• Knowledge of school nursing.
• Strong diagnostic skills.
• Ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to deal effectively with staff and families.
• Ability to establish and maintain complex files and record systems.
• Proficiency in using computer equipment and related software programs.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information as necessary.
• Receptive to constructive criticism with self-discipline to implement recommendations for improvement.
• Apply principles of logical, critical, creative, or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Demonstrate continued professional curiosity and growth.
• Remain abreast of developments and innovations in the field by reading current literature and attending professional development activities.
• Communicate high expectations of students, staff, parents/guardians, and community partners.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, changing priorities, and conditions.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.
• Ability to attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Ability to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
• Ability to move throughout all buildings and sites.
• Works in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions.
• Exposure to video display terminals on a daily basis.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to file letters, correspondence, reports, etc., in file cabinet drawers ranging from 1' to 5' from the floor.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor in Nursing.
• School nursing experience preferred.
• Current State of Connecticut registered nursing license.