Substitute Nurse

Substitute Nurse

The Substitute Nurse under the direct supervision of the Certified School Nurse delivers nursing care to students in their assigned setting on an as-needed basis.

The Staff Nurse works in conjunction with the Certified School Nurse and reports directly to the Building Principal and Director of Student Services.

The list is intended to be illustrative rather than complete and serves to show major duties and responsibilities and does not express or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent in this position. The employee will be required to perform any other position-related duties requested by the Certified School Nurse and/or Principal.

• Assist the Certified School Nurse in developing and maintain a comprehensive school services program for students
• Assist with school administrators and the Certified School Nurse in planning and organizing the school health program including dental and physical exams
• Maintain daily log which documents health care visits, the nursing diagnosis and implementation plan
• Provide up-to-date information for use of school personnel on such subjects as the growth and development pattern of children, first aid practice, accident prevention, communicable disease regulations and assists in evaluating the content material used for health teaching, and offer assistance in providing sources of information
• Assist the Certified School Nurse in collecting data to help plan and evaluate the school health program.
• Assist the Certified School Nurse in preparing required reports for the school district; PA Dept. of Health, Div. of School Health; and PA Dept. of Education
• Maintain health records and immunization record reports to Certified School Nurse when discrepancies arise
• Provide direct services to students, using the nursing process to provide care to the school community in accordance with current medical practice and nursing standards, relevant statutes, and regulations
• Perform and/or oversees mandated screenings and completes referrals and follow-up where applicable
• Provide first aid using nursing process to assess student health care needs
• Manage and controls acute and chronic disease. Carries out policies and procedures for the control of communicable diseases, in collaboration with the PA Department of Health
• Provide first aid for illness or injury to students and documents nursing assessment, diagnosis and treatment
• May support Certified School Nurse in establishing health care plans for students with special health care needs and update them as needed
• Assist Certified School Nurse in reviewing and monitoring student immunization status. Make appropriate referrals to up-date immunizations when indicated
• Maintain comprehensive health records on each child and records of school nursing services
• Assist in interpreting the health needs of individual children to parents and teachers and assists families in utilizing community resources for improving the health of their children
• Administer medications and perform procedures according to physician orders and school district policies and procedures. Ensures physician orders for individual student medications and/or treatments comply with requirements for administration
• Informs teachers of health conditions of pupils which may affect behavior, appearance or scholastic performance
• Assist with state mandated assessments and screenings
• Assist the Certified School Nurse in facilitating an organizing a system of coordinated care for students
• In conjunction with the Certified School Nurse, collaborates with agencies within and outside of the school community to ensure continuity of service and care of students, including working with private physicians and dentists to coordinate private medical and dental examinations with the school program
• Identify high risk children to needed services, including students presenting with signs of child abuse
• May actively participate as a member of Suicide Prevention, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention and Smoking Cessation programs or activities
• May actively participate in the Student Assistance Program; Child Study Team; individual education program meetings for exceptional students with medical or developmental problems; Chapter 14 and 15 review and evaluation teams; and/or provide information to these teams as required
• Dispense medication in accordance with school policy and doctor's orders
• Promote a safe and healthy school environment
• Plan with the Certified School Nurse for the environmental needs of the school group, and advises school officials of environmental adjustment necessary to meet the needs of physically challenged individuals
• Apply appropriate nursing theory and evidence-based practice as the basis for decision making in the school setting. Contributes to the body of school nurse knowledge through participation in needs assessments and/or research
• Serve as resource person to facilitate learning of positive health and wellness behaviors for students and staff
• Promote good safety practices, both within and outside of school buildings. May serves as a member of Safe School Committee(s)
• Assist the Certified School Nurse in budget preparation by advising the school administrator in preparing a budget for the health program and facilities, and shall advise him on the financial needs for a program
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor or designee

To successfully perform this position, a person must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualification requirements listed below represent minimum levels of educational achievement, training, skill and/or ability necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Pennsylvania Registered Nursing license
• Graduate of an accredited nursing program
• CPR/AED Certified
• Background/experience preferred in pediatric nursing, community health nursing, critical care nursing medical-surgical nursing and/or emergency room nursing
• Knowledge of current Child Abuse Laws

Possess effective interpersonal skills with the ability to interface diplomatically with teachers, administrators, parents, students, support staff, co-workers and outside professional contacts

Possess effective communication, judgmental, planning and human relation skills

Handle confidential information

Meet deadlines, stay organized

Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as calculator, copy machine, and computer printer

Concentrate on tasks

• Attend work related meetings
• Maintain stamina during the workday
• Use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls
• Need to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Usual lifting activity: Light, lifting up to 20 lbs. maximum and carrying objects up to 10 lbs
• Requires occasional pushing, and climbing (these activities are an essential part of the job at random intervals)
• Requires frequent bending, reaching, speaking, standing, and walking (these activities are a usual and customary part of the job.)
• Requires constant hearing, and seeing (to include close vision and the ability to adjust focus) (these activities are continually occurring as part of the job)

Current Act 34, Act 114 and Act 151 clearances

School Health Form (including physical and TB test)

PDE Form 6004 and Act 168 disclosure forms