School Nurse (1:1)

School Nurse

Maintains school health services as specified in Health services manual in order to realize that services maximum positive impact on the educational environment for students

Essential duties and responsibilities: Additional duties may be assigned.

• Evaluates the psychosocial and physical health and development status of the students in order to make a nursing assessment and establish priority for action.
• Participates in district screening programs, referral and follow up activities.
• Works closely with principals, teachers, and/or counselors so that they are aware of students with frequent or prolonged absences and/or current health problems.
• Interprets any medical findings to the student, the parent, and appropriate school personnel. Recommendations concerning the student's program will be made to the appropriate school personnel.
• Assists with early childhood and kindergarten enrollment screening programs.
• Assists with the district program for communicable disease controls prescribed by the state Department of Health and the School District. (References #1 & # 2).
• Maintains student immunization records.
• Supervises the Health Room, and coordinates the Health Room Assistants through a management approach. A management approach is defined as accomplishing organizational goals through collaborative efforts of all personnel (Reference 1 & 2). Nurse will provide training to the Health Room Assistants yearly as required for delegation of nursing activity and observe performance periodically throughout the school year.
• Assists in development of policies for caring for student who become ill or injured at school.
• Gives first aid and/or the appropriate nursing care to students, staff and visitors needing such care. When further attention is required, the client will be released to the care of the parent, a designated responsible person, and/or other medical/hospital personnel.
• When appropriate, notifies the parent or designated responsible person regarding the health status of the student.
• Makes referrals and follow-ups on individual health concerns by telephone, written reports, or personal conference with parents and/or medical personnel.
• Gives medications only in accordance with district policy.
• Is alert to the school environment for safety hazards and sanitary conditions.
• Uses direct health services as a vehicle for health education and counseling.
• Serves as a consultant and resource person for the total health education program.
• Assists the teacher in presenting health instruction.
• Promotes wellness and self-care.
• Promotes healthy maintenance for students and school personnel.
• Serves as a screening team member in identifying, evaluating, and providing for exceptional children.
• Recommends modifications in the educational program for students when indicated by their health and/or development status.
• Assists in developing the Individual Educational Programs when appropriate.
• Coordinates the planning for the physical needs of handicapped students.
• Is accountable for nursing assessment and care given.
• Documents all nursing assessment and care.
• Evaluates nursing assessment, health screenings, and care given in accordance with state and district guidelines (Reference 1 & 2).
• Provides input into district health programs and evaluations.
• Responsible for annual CPR Certification.
• Maintains confidentiality.
• Other related and appropriate duties as assigned by the building principal or the Director of Health and Wellness Services. (Reference 1 & 2)

References:

• The Northwest R-I School District Health Services Manual
• Prevention and control of Communicable Disease manual published by the Missouri Department of Health.
• Dental Health Guide for school Nurses published by Missouri Department Health.
• Control of Communicable Disease Manual, an official report of the American Public Health Association.

Education and/or experience:

• Holds a valid and current Missouri Registered Professional Nursing License.
• A copy of the current license must be on file in the office of the superintendent.
• Experience with young people.
• Prior experience in a school setting is desired

Communication skills:

• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing, and interact effectively with all aspects of the school community is required.
• Ability to solve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and remain open to various ideas and viewpoints.

Reasoning ability:

• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines while complying with established policies and procedures of the building and district.
• Identifies and resolve problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Ability to concentrate, think, read and learn is necessary to perform the essential job duties.

Other skills and abilities:

• Demonstrate organizational ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to provide assistance to the school community as necessary.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent human relation skills.
• Knowledge of office equipment (computers, copiers, fax machine, and related items).

Physical demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly sit, talk, listen, and respond. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use repetitive wrist, hand and/or finger movement; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. Occasionally, the employee may lift up to 50 pounds, such as, to lift files, papers, and equipment. The foregoing is not an exclusive list and the employee may be required to exceed the minimum physical demand specifications should the safety and security of students and staff be compromised.

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

Work environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually at a moderate level with frequent interruptions. The employee continuously interacts with staff and the public. Travel may be necessary to various District buildings and/or sites. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job duties.

The information contained in job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws.