Registered Nurse

Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse 2 provides comprehensive health services, including routine and urgent care to the students attending the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind and those residing in the residential program. Key responsibilities include managing chronic conditions (eg. diabetes, seizures, and asthma), administering medication per physician orders, performing screenings, treating injuries/illnesses, developing individualized health plans, and ensuring immunization compliance. The RN is on shift during the times that the students in the residential program are awake. The RN operates under the direction of the Health Services Director.

Essential Duties or Responsibilities:

• Direct care to students: 70% Administer basic first aid, routine, and urgent care to students and staff. Respond in person or phone for support of the classroom staff in multiple buildings. Prepare for and respond to school related emergencies (playground, bus, lockdown, disasters, offsite) or other critical incident that affects the health and safety of students and school staff.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of student records.
• Delegate and supervise appropriately trained staff when performing needed health related tasks for students.
• Conduct health assessments, skilled nursing treatments, and screenings for students as indicated using appropriate equipment, techniques and resources.
• Administer medications/treatments in compliance with Doctor Orders, State and Federal Laws, and Montana Board of Nursing standards.
• Collaborate with teachers, parents, and healthcare providers to develop and implement individualized healthcare plans (IHP) that promotes safety and an optimal learning environment.
• Serve as liaison/resource person for school personnel, administrators, families, community, and healthcare providers.
• Interpret medical evaluations for school personnel while maintaining HIPAA and FERPA confidentiality.
• Educate students and staff on health-related topics, including disease/injury prevention.
• Reduce chronic absenteeism by providing health education and anticipatory guidance to families.
• Monitor and control communicable diseases.
• Provide support for students with mental health concerns.
• Lead transition planning of homebound students with chronic health conditions and medication.
• Maintain current immunization records and communicate reportable childhood diseases to local health department.
• Ensure compliance with health regulations and guidelines.
• Assist in health and safety policy development and implementation.
• Facilitate referrals to outside healthcare providers and specialists when necessary.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies and equipment.
• Effectively participate in meetings, committees, staffing and other required activities.
• Demonstrate professional conduct and exhibit professional growth.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Administration.

Charting: 15% Cleans health services prior to shift completion. Sanitizes and makes beds after ill students are released. Inventories supplies on hand. Restock supplies when needed. All other duties as assigned: 5%

Education & Experience: Required: Associates or bachelor's degree from an accredited school of nursing is required. An active Montana Registered Nurse (RN) license is required. Preferred: CPR/BLS certification with ability to complete AHA instructor certification. Preferred: Experience working with individuals who have disabilities is desirable. Experience in pediatrics, school nursing, or public health is desirable

Knowledge & Skills: (Required for first day of work) Knowledge of general medical practices and specifically best practices in working with students (birth 21yrs) who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, and deafblind. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to parents, classroom staff and medical providers. Ability to assume responsibility, display initiative, think critically, exercise good judgment, and work with limited supervision. Knowledge of or ability to learn the scope of a nurse role in writing a plan of care for school related health services. Ability to assess situations that put staff at risk for injury and advocate for appropriate staff PPE. Self-motivated to learn beyond current knowledge; subjects such as childhood development norms, chromosomal and birth defects that affect the emotional & physical condition of students. Use knowledge to advocate for students in a transdisciplinary format to benefit students and staff working with them. Assume responsibility for continuing education and professional development and contribute to the professional growth of others through in-service and health education activities. Ability to function as a member of a team with the ability to see and accept (not necessarily agree with) other's perspective. Ability to comply with data collection, reporting timeframes, and records management requirements. Ability and desire to be an active learner of American Sign Language (ASL). Willingness to adapt communication and language to work with a variety of students and staff. Adhere to confidentiality of sensitive and federally protected information. Possess essential technology skills. Ability to develop positive relationships with students, staff, parents /guardians. Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions.

Communication: Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) or a willingness to reach target proficiency levels to foster cooperative relationships with students and staff. Leadership: Ability to handle controversy objectively, manage a diverse team, and maintain effective relationships with families and stakeholders. Technical: Understanding of basic employment law.