Registered Nurse - RN

School Nurse

Responsible for the implementation and management of the student health services program on the campus level. Assesses and intervenes to manage acute, chronic and emergency health care needs of students and staff. Provides direct instruction and assists classroom teachers in health related content areas as deemed necessary and appropriate. Provides related services and specialized nursing care to students. Provides specialized training for appropriate campus staff regarding student specific health needs. Conducts State and District mandated health screenings in appropriate grade levels and makes appropriate referrals and follow-up. Articulates mission of health services to faculty, staff, parents, administrators and community at large. Serves as liaison and resource to parents and community in developing school-linked services and resources for students.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program
• Associate Degree in Nursing
• Valid Registered Nurse License to practice professional nursing in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners
• Minimum of three years nursing experience in community health, hospital environment, physician's office, or school health
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR/AED) Certification
• Valid Texas Driver's License with driving record that meets the requirements of the District
• Pediatric/adolescent experience preferred
• Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from a four year college or university preferred
• Certified by Texas Department of Health to conduct vision, hearing, and scoliosis screening

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

• Nursing Services
• Assessing student health status; identifying acute, chronic and emergency needs and notifying parents/guardian of accident or illness; and making appropriate referrals utilizing knowledge base and strategies applicable to the preschool aged child through the young adult.
• Monitoring and providing direct services and care to student maintaining accountability for all care and services provided.
• Administering medications to students according to district guidelines.
• Documenting thoroughly all nursing assessments and care provided and maintaining complete and confidential Student Health Records.
• Identifying and implementing appropriate interventions to address physical and emotional health needs of all students (i.e. teen pregnancy, suicide, substance abuse, depression and physical/mental abuse).
• Responding to students in crisis and providing appropriate counseling, care and referrals.
• Providing and evaluating outcomes of direct and skilled nursing care services and procedures for medically fragile students, integrating the medically fragile student safely into the school setting.
• Encouraging students to adopt healthy lifestyles and self-responsibility by promoting wellness through collaboration with Health teachers and other departments.
• Providing consultation to school administrators in crisis/emergency situations.
• Reporting potential health and safety hazards to principal and nursing supervisor.
• Collaborating with campus administration and staff regarding communicable diseases, infection control, health and safety matters and implementation of health-related plans on Individualized Health Plans (IHPs).
• Responsible for the care and well-being of students and others with bloodborne pathogens and for the establishment of universal precautions and confidentiality guidelines on each campus.
• Providing direct instruction to students in health related content areas i.e. maturation, wellness, disease prevention, Human Sexuality and Abstinence Education and acts as resource in these areas of instruction.
• Providing overview of programs to the community/parents in this area of instruction.
• Recording, documenting and reporting service units for District Medicaid reimbursement programs (School Health related Services (SHARS) and Medicaid Administrative Claims (MAC).
• Developing and providing in-service for faculty, special education, custodial and transportation personnel on health related matters, i.e. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), hepatitis, seizures, bloodborne pathogens, child abuse, diabetes care and use of the automated external defibrillator (AED) as needed.
• Training and supervising all clinic paraprofessional personnel and participating in their annual performance evaluation as requested by nursing supervisor.
• Providing anti-victimization instruction for the young child, acting as a resource for child abuse/neglect identification and prevention.
• Serving as a health advocate for students.
• Reviewing, evaluating and maintaining all campus immunization records and following district guidelines and state laws.
• Establishing and implementing effective procedures for mandatory health screening programs and making referrals as necessary.
• Making home visits to help with student health problems as necessary with permission of principal.
• Developing and implementing individualized health care plans for medically fragile students and as needed for other students with special health concerns.
• Developing and implementing emergency health plans on identified students.
• Communicating regularly with principal, student health services coordinator, school counselor, teachers, parents, food services and other staff retarding health service issues.
• Participating in collaborative/consultative role in Admission-Referral-Dismissal (ARD) process for special education services interpreting medical information for ARD Committee.
• Accountable for all assessments, judgments and referrals in the health of students including child abuse, pregnancy and mental health areas.
• Overseeing and monitoring all student health records and delivery of school health programs on campus as mandated by State Law and District Policy maintaining confidentiality in all written records and verbal interactions with parents, students, faculty and staff.
• Providing health care and consultation to employees in collaboration with the Departments of Risk Management and Safe and Healthy Schools.
• Participating in campus committee activities (PTA, CIC, 504, Emergency Response Team, Campus Leadership Team), and articulating health related issues and concerns.
• Maintaining adequate inventory of clinic supplies, equipment to provide efficient operation of the clinic and prompt effective management of student, faculty/staff and visitor illnesses or injuries.
• Serving as community liaison and resource to parents and community in the development of community and school linked services (i.e. health fairs, resources for parents and students to access needed health care) and resource for students.
• Participating in professional development and other activities as directed by the Coordinator of Student Health Services and as mandated by the Texas Nursing Practice Act to maintain professional nursing skills and knowledge.
• Reports to work every day. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations. Models behavior that is professional, ethical and responsible.