Substitute School Nurse (Elementary, Middle and High School)

Substitute School Nurse

The i3 Academy Substitute School Nurse has the following basic functions:

• Able to function independently in the absence of the school nurse assigned to the building.
• Provides health services to strengthen and facilitate the educational process by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning in the individual students.
• Promote an optimal level of wellness of students and staff by providing preventive health services to facilitate the students and staff's optimal physical, mental, emotional and social growth and development.
• Identify problems and disabilities and provide such services as, health education, referring, and care in order to help prevent serious health problems and manage current chronic conditions.

Position Responsibilities:

As a nurse substitute, you will be expected to fulfill the responsibilities of the building's school nurse as assigned. The usual responsibilities are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list and other responsibilities may be assigned as needed:

• Promotes and protects the optimal health status of school-age children
• Provides health assessments
• Obtains a health history
• Provides daily medications and treatments according to prescriber's orders
• Screens and evaluates findings of deficit in vision, hearing, growth, etc.
• Observes the child for development and health patterns in making nursing assessment.
• Identifies abnormal health findings and reports to the appropriate parties
• Develops and implements a student health plan
• Interprets the health status of students to parents and school personnel.
• Initiates referral to parents, school personnel or community health resources for intervention, remediation and follow through.
• Provides ongoing health counseling with students, parents, school personnel or health agencies.
• Utilizes existing health resources to provide appropriate care of students.
• Maintains, evaluates and interprets cumulative health data to accommodate individual needs of students
• Plans and implements school health management protocols
• Participates in home visits when indicated to assess the family needs as related to the child's health.
• Follows procedures and provides for emergency nursing management for injuries/illnesses
• Promotes education and assists in the control of communicable diseases.
• Provides direct health education, and health counseling to assist students and families in making decisions on health and lifestyles that affect health.
• Serves as a resource person to the school staff members in health instruction.
• Coordinates school and community health activities and serves as a liaison health professional between the home, school and community.
• Acts as a resource person in promoting health careers.
• Engages in research and evaluation of school health services to act as a change agent for school health programs and school nursing practices.
• Provides consultation in the formation of health policies, goals and objectives for the school district.
• Where applicable, participates in the IEP plan development.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Abilities:

• Knowledge of: Principles and practices underlying professional nursing.
• Principles and practices underlying the special field of school health.
• State and local laws relating to health and social issues.
• Ability to: Participate cooperatively in the role of school health nurse.
• Exercise professional judgment in making decisions.
• Communicate appropriately, collaboratively, and effectively with students, parents, administrators, other school personnel, health care providers, and community agencies.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the student population and its health needs.
• Be flexible and manage time wisely.
• Be a self-starter or self-motivated.
• Use a computer and various software applications.

Candidate Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in medical/surgical nursing, public health nursing, community health nursing, school health nursing or pediatric nursing preferred

Minimum Requirements:

• Qualified to practice as a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse in the State of Alabama and holds an unrestricted license
• Certified in American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR/AED