School Nurse

School Nurse (LPN)

Position Purpose: To provide assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management and/or referrals concerning the health and medical care needs of students for the purpose of minimizing absences due to illness, maximizing educational opportunities, and creating a healthy school climate. This LPN position will be housed at one school but will serve multiple sites.

Essential Functions:

• Works collaboratively with health care providers, parents, school district staff, and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students
• Assists in the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive school health program
• Collects information about the health development status of students for compliance with state immunization regulations and Board of Education policies
• Conducts school programs of immunization, physical examinations, and vision and hearing testing
• Performs nursing assessment for students who are ill or injured; applies appropriate theory as basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention and referrals for those students
• Implements Board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis)
• Maintains accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law, and Board of Education policies
• Develops individual health care plan (ICHP) when needed with specific goals, nursing diagnosis, and interventions delineating school-nursing actions unique to students' needs and for incorporation into the student's individualized educational plan (IEP)
• Intervenes as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation
• Serves as a member of school teams as designated health care professional (e.g., Crisis Teams, Section 504)
• Provides guidance, counseling and health education to students, parents and employees as necessary
• Reports to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs
• Provides instruction and training regarding the Heimlich Maneuver, Blood Borne Pathogen training, the school district's Emergency plan, and with regard to providing care for students, including students with disabilities
• Contributes to nursing and school health through innovations in theory; practice and participation in research, including narrative and statistical reports
• Notifies the appropriate person or agency of student's injury/illness in accordance with Board policy as necessary
• Confers with parents, students and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisors or other administrators

Equipment:

• Uses medical equipment to provide health care to students/staff, including, but not limited to, blood glucose monitor, stethoscopes, thermometers, sphygmomanometers
• Uses personal computers and general office equipment

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses and injuries, nutrition, and related areas
• Ability to diagnose and provide care for ill or injured students
• Ability to convey appropriate medical information to school district staff or medical professionals to ensure a proper maintenance in the school setting
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed for position
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, Powerpoint, the Internet, Outlook, electronic mail)
• Ability to problem solve job-related issues
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and students with special needs
• Ability to follow oral and written orders from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and to coordinate work with principal, teachers and others
• Ability to describe orally and in writing school health services provided, issues and concerns regarding school health
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work

Safety Requirements:

• Adheres to all applicable professional safety standards and practices in the nursing field, including requirements set forth in federal and state law, and Occupational Safety and Health regulations
• Implements Board Policy regarding Blood Borne Pathogens and other Board policies regarding the medical or health care of employees and students

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent travel between schools may be required

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Work in standard school building environment
• Exposure to body secretions, blood borne pathogens, medicine and medicinal supplies, illnesses and diseases

Qualifications Profile:

• Must meet qualifications of a school nurse as defined in state regulations
• Successful experiences working with pediatric population, preferably in a community or school setting desirable
• License or Certificate: Current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Licensed Practical Nurse, designated as LPN as defined and determined by state law, and currently licensed in the state of Georgia

Compensation and Benefits:

• The school nurse works 40 hours her week, eight hours per day, for 190 days during the school year. Compensation for an LPN ranges from $37,053.20 -$51,668.95 based on years of verifiable experience. A complete benefit package is available with options for state health insurance, vision, dental and life insurance. Additional supplementary policies are available.