School Nurse

Tazewell County Public Schools Position Description

Job Title: School Nurse - Location: School Clinic in Each School

Job Category: Support - Pay Grade: Health Assistant (LPN)

FLSA Status: Non-exempt - Immediate Supervisor: Area Supervising RN

General Definition and Conditions of Work

Provides appropriate preventive, acute, emergent and chronic health care management for students, promotes student wellness, supports student academic achievement, encourages safe environment, acts as health resource for students, families and faculty/staff, provides limited services for employees including emergent care and routing physical assessment for transportation employees.

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks

• Provides basic first aid in accordance with the guidelines of First Aid certification for minor injuries.
• Provides basic assessment and care for minor illnesses.
• Maintains current and thorough documentation of all student, staff and family contacts.
• Encourages staff to complete student or employee accident reports and assists as needed.
• Provides health promotion activities for students at least twice annually. Activities may include presentations, bulletin boards or handouts. A record will document accurately each topic addressed and any continuing education in-services.
• Provides emergency care for any student or faculty, including but not limited to administration of epi-pen, glucagon, insulin, first aid, or CPR. Emergency medical services and parent, guardian, or emergency contact person will be notified. Maintains master records with needed information, and documents any care administered. Notifies the School Nurse.
• Performs required or elective health screenings in accordance with the State of Virginia guidelines. Coordinate with the School Nurse Supervisor any re-screenings for any deviation from the normal findings, and complete any referrals. Documentation will be made of findings in the student's cumulative health.
• Reviews and updates student cumulative health record. Reviews immunization status of students periodically to assure compliance with Code of Virginia. Deficiencies will be reported to parent or guardian, and to school administrator or school designee for follow.
• Reviews school entrance physicals done by other providers for completeness. Notifies parent or guardian and school administrator of deficiencies. Requests information or health care needed in order for the school entrance physical to meet all guidelines as determined by the Virginia Department of Health by notification to parent or.
• Completes referral form to notify parents of health related areas needing possible follow up. A tracking form will be used to send reminders and document the outcome of the.
• Schedules and completes preparation for health screenings for student whose parent / guardian completes the appropriate consents. Preparation includes general measurements (height, weight, vital signs), visions and hearing evaluation, lab work and anticipatory guidance. Referrals will be completed for any deviation from normal findings. Assists nurse practitioner with exam as needed.
• Administers medications and treatments, and maintains required.
• Assists in the development of individualized health care plans, using the nursing process and assessment of the student's.
• Participates in IHP, IEP or 504 meetings with parents, students, faculty, administrators and designated others for students with special health care.
• Assists with scheduled transportation employee physical examinations including general measurements (height, weight, vital signs), visions and hearing evaluation, and lab.
• Completes reports as directed by School Health Coordinator (monthly summaries, chronic disease lists, substitution plan, etc.) and as requested or mandated by School Nurse Consultant with VDOE such as annual vision and hearing results (copied to school principal), annual scoliosis reports,
• Promotes staff wellness by offering blood pressure screenings, weight monitoring and management,
• Communicates effectively with students, parents, administrators, colleagues, supervisor and community partners effectively and.
• Refers students, families and staff members to community partners as needed (i.e. Tazewell County Health Department, other health care providers, )
• Participates in required staff meetings
• Maintains student confidentiality in adherence with HIPPA and FERPA
• Works effectively either alone or in team setting
• Able to understand own scope of practice and seeks supervision and assistance from Supervising RN appropriately
• Able to work in a variety of settings with children of different ages and developmental stages
• Reports to work regularly and in timely manner. Requests leave according to TCPS guidelines.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Possess and maintain current First Aid and CPR certification
• Must have graduated from LPN or RN accredited nursing school
• May have post secondary education
• Must be able to read and write English, communicate effectively in both written and verbal language, demonstrate clerical proficiency, demonstrate sound judgment, and accept nursing supervision
• Must be able to work effectively with children of varying developmental stages

Education and Experience

• Must possess high school diploma, or GED equivalent and certificate from LPN nursing program or associate or baccalaureate degree in nursing if RN
• Must possess and maintain valid licensure to practice nursing in the state of Virginia
• Experience in School nursing is desirable
• Experience in Community Health desirable

Special Requirements

• Candidate must be at least 18 years of age;
• Candidate must possess and maintain First Aid and CPR certification
• LPN licensure required at minimum

Physical Demands/Requirements

Work requires climbing, sitting, stooping, crouching, reaching, pushing, pulling, grasping and repetitive motions. Frequent walking and lifting of patients/students may be required. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word, and conveying detailed or important information to others accurately and quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken words and to use equipment (such as routine stethoscope); visual acuity is required in order to see small numbers such as on sphygmomanometer and to assess for small foreign objects such as splinters or glass and to observe general surroundings and activities. The worker is subject to exposure to body fluids in performance of duties. Flexibility in schedule may be needed in case of medical emergency by student or staff or disaster. Daily contact with students, faculty/staff, administrators, family members, health care providers and community partners is required.

Approved by Tazewell County School Board 9/10/2007

Tazewell County School District