School Nurse (26-27)

School Nurse (26-27)

The School Nurse serves as the primary health resource for students, staff, and families at one to four campuses. In this role, you will deliver direct clinical care, administer medications and treatments per physician orders, manage chronic health conditions, and ensure compliance with state and federal health mandates. You will collaborate closely with educators, specialists, and administrators to support the health, safety, and academic success of all students. This position reports to the Director of School Health Services.

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Nursing Services

• Provide direct patient care for first aid, urgent, and emergent situations for students, staff, and visitors in a fast-paced, multi-campus environment.
• Administer daily and emergency medications to students according to board policy and physician orders.
• Administer complex medical treatments per physician orders, including gastrostomy tube feedings, urinary catheterizations, tracheostomy care and suctioning, and ostomy care.
• Implement and update Individualized Health Care Plans (IHCPs) and emergency care plans for students with chronic or complex health needs.
• Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings; collaborate with Special Education and 504 coordinators to support implementation of health-related services for students with IEPs.
• Collaborate with principals, counselors, teachers, parents, food service staff, and physicians regarding student health needs during school hours.
• Inform and train staff with need-to-know status about students with chronic health conditions; coordinate health training for faculty, staff, and unlicensed personnel as directed.
• Conduct state-mandated screening programs (vision, hearing, scoliosis) and complete required documentation.
• Collect and maintain current student immunization records in the student information systems
• Document all student illnesses, injuries, medications, treatments, and interactions in the student information system; compile and maintain all required physical and electronic health records.
• Maintain student privacy and confidentiality at all times in accordance with FERPA and HIPAA requirements

Additional Responsibilities - Registered Nurses

• Initiate and maintain care plans and emergency care plans for students with health needs.
• Follow up with physicians to clarify orders for medications, procedures, and treatments required during school hours
• Attend ARD meetings as needed to interpret and communicate student health care needs to the team.

Compliance & Records

• Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, Texas Board of Nursing, Texas Department of State Health Services regulations, Texas Education Agency guidelines, and district board policy.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of student health information at all times.

Professional Development

• Maintain current CPR, First Aid, and state-required screening certifications (vision, hearing, scoliosis).
• Model professional, ethical, and responsible behavior; participate in ongoing professional development as directed

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Completion/Graduation from accredited RN or LVN program
• Valid Texas license issued by the related Board of Nurse Examiners
• Must have an active RN or LVN license in Texas
• Minimum one year's experience in direct patient care in a hospital or a long care facility as a licensed RN or LVN.
• Pediatric experience is preferred but not required.

COMPETENCY AND SKILLS:

• Must be able to use critical thinking skills when triaging students, staff, and visitors and be able to respond in an emergency.
• Experience in providing care to patients with a history of seizures and providing rescue care post seizure.
• Have knowledge and experience of caring for patients with diabetes, giving insulin, and giving rescue medication.
• Have knowledge and experience of caring for patients with gastrostomy tube feedings and care.
• Have knowledge and experience of caring for patients with a tracheostomy and suctioning.
• Have knowledge and experience of caring for a patient needing to have urinary catheterization.
• Must have knowledge and experience in following physician orders to administer medications by Oral, Sublingual, Buccal, Rectal, Intramuscular, and Subcutaneous Routes.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR /First Aid/Healthcare Provider)
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proficient in keyboarding skills
• Ability to use personal computer and software to enter data and do word processing
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written)

Physical Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The person in this position needs to be able to move about inside and outside the school throughout the workday.
• The candidate is expected to attend conferences, meetings and training sessions both virtually and in person within the Region.
• Able to walk, run, and bend
• Able to pick up 20 lbs.

Additional Requirements:

• Reliable transportation is needed for travel between campuses
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work with frequent interruptions.

Work Environment:

Hybrid work - Reports to the central office or schools three days a week

Travel Requirements:

Minimal travel: May travel to other school sites or regional offices for professional learning, meetings and other work related activities.