School Nurse Teacher

Certified School Nurse Teacher

The Pawtucket School Department is seeking applicants for a certified school nurse teacher. The school nurse functions under the direction of the PSD Medical Director and School Principal. The school nurse is responsible for coordinating, implementing, and evaluating student health services at assigned school(s) by providing skilled nursing services and coordinating health service programs. Assists medically fragile students and students with special health care needs to integrate safely and successfully into the school environment.

Exemplary duties and responsibilities include:

• Assuming a leadership role in promoting the health and safety of the Pawtucket School Department students through skilled nursing care, health education, health counseling, advocacy, and accessing community resources.
• Performing specialized nursing procedures/treatments (i.e. insulin injections, gastrostomy tube feedings, urinary catheterizations), as needed in order to allow students with special health care needs to stay in school and attend school-sponsored field trips.
• Collaborating with parents, teachers, administrators, and other members of the educational team in order to maximize the learning potential of students.
• Supervising and managing the functions of the school health office(s) within assigned school(s), and ensuring compliance with state and federal policies and procedures in all areas of student health services.
• Assessing the health status of students and referring students and families to appropriate community and medical resources.
• Developing and coordinating safe and appropriate Individual Emergency Action Plans for students with special health care needs. Assuming a leadership role in managing, directing and performing first aid and emergency care.
• Adhering to all policies and procedures of the RI Department of Health Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs and the Pawtucket School Department Policies and Medical Orders.

The candidate should be knowledgeable of:

• The nursing process as it relates to preschool and school age children and to students with health disabilities.
• School nurse interventions that promote the academic achievement of a culturally diverse student population.
• Current nursing theories relative to fostering physical, emotional and developmental health of students.
• First aid and emergency management in a non-acute care setting.
• The RI Department of Health Rules and Regulations of School Health Programs.
• RI Nurse Practice Act regulations relative to accountability and legal parameters of nursing practice.
• The organizational structure of school systems.
• Community resources and agencies for referring children and families.
• Principles of effective management, communication and interpersonal relations.
• FERPA and HIPPA regulations.
• Electronic logging, data keeping and analysis techniques.

Skilled at:

• Health counseling and clinical assessment of preschool and school-age children. Planning, prioritizing, and implementing job responsibilities.
• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with educational staff, students, parents, and all other stakeholders.
• Providing support, recommendations, and input to teachers, student assistance personnel and IEP/504 teams relative to a student's medical and health status or accommodations.
• Computer programs.

License/Certificate:

• A valid license to practice as a registered nurse, issued by the Department of Health.
• RI Certified School Nurse Teacher Certificate for Pre-K through Grade 12.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid driver's license.

Desirable qualifications:

• Experience in working with students from urban areas.
• Desire to work with middle school students and young adults.
• Experience working with students with Autism and behavioral/social/emotional challenges.
• Experience with diversity and ELL population preferred.
• Successful experience teaching.

Employment standards:

• Education/Experience: Any combination of knowledge and experience that would provide the required level of school nursing expertise is qualifying.
• 1. Education: Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from an accredited college or university; AND
• 2. At least 3 years clinical nursing experience.
• Experience in public health or school nursing is highly recommended but not mandatory.

Compensation/Benefits:

• Full PSD benefits package.
• Salary will be that of teacher and commensurate with experience.
• Full PSD compensation package.
• Requirement to work some of their required days in the summer for training.
• Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required.