LPN 1:1 SPED

Licensed Practical Nurse

Reports To: Building Principal, Coordinator of Nursing Services, Roving Registered Professional Nurse, Director of Special Education Services

Position Purpose: This is a classified position responsible for 1:1 nursing services in an assigned building. A high degree of organizational skills and attention to detail are required along with the ability to work with a wide range of professionals in the school setting and community. The LPN must be able to communicate effectively and to work independently within established guidelines in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• Current Kansas practical nursing licensure
• Minimum of one year health care experience
• CPR/AED certification
• Ability to exercise assessment and critical thinking skills when delivering nursing services in the school setting
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and use good judgment in handling and dispersing information while applying new concepts and details and adapt easily to change
• Dependable in attendance and observance of duty hours

Physical/Emotional Requirements:

Physical:

• Sensory: near vision, far vision, perceptual speed, visual color discrimination, depth perception, and hearing sensitivity.
• Gross Motor Skills: move within confined spaces, sit and stand with balance, reach above shoulders (med cabinet), and reach below waist (cabinets, pull in equipment).
• Fine Motor Skills: finger dexterity, arm-hand steadiness and manual dexterity, write with pen, key/type (computer), physical endurance, and sustain repetitive movements (CPR).
• Mobility: Twist, bend, stoop/squat, move quickly (response to emergency), climb (stairs), and walk.
• Speech and Communication: speech clarity, speech recognition and written expression.
• Strength and Stamina: sufficient to perform delegated nursing tasks/procedures for entire duty day

Emotional:

• Communication: listen, explain, reporting, and provide non-judgmental support.
• Calmness: think quickly and clearly, and to be flexible, remaining calm while dealing with emergency situations and unexpected incidents.
• Stamina and Stability: work effectively under pressure and throughout the duty day, without becoming aggravated or upset.
• Interpersonal Skills: interact with students, families, district staff, and community agencies respecting social, cultural, and spiritual diversity. Do not take offense and to be able to calmly move forward with the day, even if the parent or staff person has said something hurtful.
• Emotional Strength: deal with the difficult situations and calmly move forward with the day. Assume responsibility/accountability for actions

Performance Responsibilities:

Provider of Care Role:

• Assess student's health through observation, screening procedures, and communication to establish a protocol permitting students to function effectively at school, home, and community.
• Encourage parents/guardians to acquire periodic health and dental examination for students.
• Assist with screening programs for pediculosis, hearing/vision, and height/weight as directed by the Nursing Services Manual.
• Notify the student's parent/guardian when health problems have been detected that require professional attention.
• Assist the parent/guardian to understand the health needs of the student (e.g., interpretation of screening results and the need for a referral).
• Enforce the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) immunization requirements and assist in the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Administration of student medications with correct documentation.
• Weekly medication counts with documentation.
• Emphasize prevention of injuries and illness to staff and students.
• Provide emergency care for student accidents and sudden illness. Notify parent/guardian if accident/illness warrants. Detain student in the nursing clinic until parent/guardian assumes responsibility.
• Complete and submit weekly reports in a timely manner to the roving registered professional nurse.
• Facilitate therapeutic relationships with students, families, and community.

Manager of Care Role:

• Efficiently organize time and resources.
• Acquaint self with community health agencies serving children and youth.
• Provide leadership to the total health program of your assigned school, advising in the areas of school health environment, health services, and health education.
• Attend meetings when your presence is requested by the school principal.
• Serve on school committees and assist school personnel to understand student health needs.
• Coordinate health care referrals.

Member of the Profession:

• Promote a professional image of nursing.
• Demonstrate responsibility for professional lifelong learning.
• Participate in collaborative relationships.
• Identify current nursing issues and trends.
• Maintain current Kansas licensure as an LPN.

The licensed practical nurse functions within the guidelines of the Kansas Nurse Practice Act, the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, and Topeka Public Schools Policies and Procedures.

Terms of Employment: 9 months; salary and work year to be determined by the Board of Education.

Evaluation: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the board policy on evaluation of classified employees.