Lead Nurse

Lead Nurse

Reports To: Director-Nursing/Principals

Wage: Exempt

Pay Grade: AI 3

Primary Purpose:

The role of the Lead Nurse is to support the education process by supervising clinic nurses as they modify or remove health-related barriers to learning in individual students and by promoting an optimal level of wellness and safety for students and staff. Perform clinic nursing functions as needed. Develop, promote and maintain professionalism among clinic nurses by direction and example.

All employees of SISD are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate in a clear and respectful manner, championing the needs of our students and drive continuous improvement.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Valid Texas Registered Nursing License issued by the Texas State Board of Nursing

Preferred:

• School nursing experience or 2+ years hospital experience __ pediatrics
• 2+ years nursing supervisor experience

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Special knowledge: ability to supervise and mentor clinic RN, LVNs and unlicensed assistive personnel
• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health deficits
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to implement policies and procedures
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor Certification* : Responsible for instruction of campus emergency team
• Certified by Texas Department of State Health Services to conduct vision and hearing screening*
• Certified for Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children (TRAT2DC) Screening*

*Opportunities are available to obtain certifications within Spring ISD.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Nursing Services:

• Plan & implement school health protocols for children with special health needs including recommending modifications and/or administration of special procedures related to maintaining student health in the school environment.
• Supervises assigned clinic nurses in the following areas:
• Serve as a health advocate for students.
• Provide health assessments, interventions, health counseling and referrals.
• Identify deviant health problems and provide temporary, emergency and managed care for sick, injured and chronically ill students and staff according to district policy and procedures.
• Perform screening procedures as required by Texas law, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Educational Agency, and District policy. Make referrals and follow up as necessary with outcomes as the focus.
• Participate in assessment and reporting of abuse to the appropriate agency according to state laws and District policy.
• Maintains emergency medical information for students and staff. Serve as liaison for safety and emergency situations.
• Develops a system of administration and management of medications given at school, following District policy and state guidelines. Responsible for supervising and training persons certified to administer medication in the school and documents training. Oversees the use, storage and security of medication in a locked and secure cabinet.
• Reports communicable diseases as required by Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services according to District policy.

Instruction:

Promote wellness and contribute to health education for students, staff and community. Act as a resource person in both planning and teaching health programs. Assist in the formation of health policies, goals and objectives for the school district.

Consultation:

• Serve as health liaison between school, physicians, parents and community.
• Make appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, medical and health care professionals as needed.
• Participate as the health team specialist in Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee, crisis team, and school committees.
• Communicate regularly with Principal and District Nurse Coordinator regarding health services issues.
• Serve as mentor/resource to colleagues.

Administration:

• Develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health program and make changes based on findings.
• Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of State Health Services rules, State Board of Education rules, Texas State Board of Nursing and board policy in health services area.
• Initiate, update and maintain accurate and complete student health records, including immunization records, health history, individualized medication records, individual student treatment records and individualized health care plans and emergency plans.
• Report potential health safety hazards to Principal and Director of Safety.
• Submit timely reports as requested by District Nurse Coordinator.
• Perform other appropriate duties as assigned.

Professional Development:

• Maintain personal and professional development plan as required by Spring ISD and Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) as required by the Texas State Board of Nursing.
• Keep well informed of the latest trends in health and education by attending meetings and professional growth activities that promote professional competency.
• Maintain instructor certification in CPR/AED, certification in vision, hearing and TRAT2DC screening.
• Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
• Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with the Nurse Practice Act and Standards of Professional School Nursing Practice.
• Maintain professional memberships.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Train and supervise the work of clinic nurses or designated unlicensed assistive personnel and document same.

Working Conditions:

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, reaching/repetitive hand motions, and the ability to work with frequent interruptions. May be required to lift or position students with physical disabilities; control behavior through physical restraint; and assist non-ambulatory students. Exposure to biological hazards. Mental demands: Ability to maintain emotional control under stress; ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data, ability to be effective in both oral and written communication. Travel within the district as required.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Spring Independent School District