Building Nurse

Registered Nurse - Student Services

The Registered Nurse (RN) serves as a vital healthcare provider within the school district, responsible for delivering comprehensive, professional nursing services that support student health, safety, and educational success. Working under the administrative direction of the Health Services department, the RN assesses and addresses the physical and mental health needs of students, ensures compliance with state health mandates, provides emergency care, develops individual health plans, and facilitates health-related interventions and referrals. This role also includes supervising health support staff, training school personnel on medical procedures, maintaining detailed medical records, and contributing to multidisciplinary teams (e.g., IEP, SST). The RN operates across assigned school locations, ensuring a safe, responsive, and health-informed school environment.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A. Education and Experience:

1. Accredited Nursing Program
2. Five (5) years in a school setting preferred
3. Must be able to receive a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) or Certified School Nurse (CSN) within 2 years of appointment. Upon completion, completion of a Professional Educator License through the State of Illinois.

B. Credentials:

1. Registered Professional Nurse (RN) license
2. First aid, CPR, and AED certifications preferred
3. Child Hearing and Vision Testing certifications preferred
4. Bilingual preferred

C. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

1. Thorough knowledge of professional nursing theory, practice, and ethics, including pediatric and school-based care.
2. Skill in physical assessment and emergency response, including CPR, first aid, and administration of medications.
3. Ability to interpret and apply medical protocols, treatment plans, and physician orders in a school setting.
4. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, common childhood conditions, and chronic and acute health concerns.
5. Understanding of state-mandated health requirements, including immunizations, screenings, and reporting.
6. Skill in conducting and interpreting health screenings, such as vision, hearing, growth, and scoliosis.
7. Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity in student populations.
8. Ability to develop and implement Individual Health Plans (IHPs) and emergency care plans.
9. Strong communication skills, including the ability to convey health information clearly to students, families, and staff.
10. Effective documentation and recordkeeping skills, including familiarity with student information systems and third-party billing.
11. Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including IEP and student services staff.
12. Skill in training and supervising health assistants and paraprofessionals in clinical procedures and protocols.
13. Organizational and time management skills, especially in high-paced school environments.
14. Knowledge of medical equipment and technologies relevant to school health (e.g., insulin pumps, nebulizers).
15. Commitment to ongoing professional development and legal compliance, including licensure and continuing education.

Essential Functions

The following identifies the primary and essential functions of the position and is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Assess and monitor student health through screenings, physical assessments (e.g., skin color, breath sounds, temperature), and review of past and current health histories to inform care and placement decisions.
2. Develop, implement, and update Individual Health Plans (IHPs) and emergency action plans for students with acute, chronic, or specialized medical needs.
3. Administer first aid, emergency care, and prescribed treatments, including medication distribution, blood glucose monitoring, and response to adverse reactions.
4. Maintain accurate, confidential student health records, including initiating permanent health records when required and documenting all nursing interventions.
5. Interpret and apply health regulations and school policies, ensuring compliance with state-mandated immunizations, screenings, and reporting requirements.
6. Conduct and interpret health screenings, including vision (Snellen/MOTV), hearing, growth, scoliosis, and tympanometry, and determine follow-up or referral needs.
7. Educate students, staff, and families on health-related topics such as hygiene, puberty, chronic condition management, bloodborne pathogens, and general wellness practices.
8. Provide health counseling and support, including for mental health, pregnant and parenting teens, and students with chronic or sensitive health needs.
9. Train and clinically supervise health assistants and paraprofessionals, ensuring competency in delegated tasks and compliance with nursing standards.
10. Serve as a liaison with families and community healthcare providers, coordinating referrals, medical appointments, transportation, and funding when needed.
11. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (e.g., IEP, IFSP, SST) to support students with disabilities and medically complex needs in educational planning and care coordination.
12. Prepare and submit required health reports, summaries, and documentation for district, state, and third-party billing purposes.
13. Secure and manage medications and medical supplies, including controlled substances, in compliance with legal and safety regulations.
14. Respond to on-site medical emergencies and support crisis response efforts, ensuring rapid intervention and documentation.
15. Ensure proper care and use of medical equipment, such as insulin pumps, nebulizers, and audiometry tools, and maintain cleanliness of health spaces.
16. Monitor for communicable diseases and infestations, performing screenings (e.g., lice), managing outbreaks, and implementing infection control protocols.
17. Participate in professional development and stay current on health laws, school nursing best practices, and required continuing education.
18. Promote a healthy school environment by supporting district wellness initiatives and advising on environmental health concerns.
19. Provide ongoing training to staff and students on health procedures, emergency protocols, and mandated topics like bloodborne pathogens.
20. Support inclusive and equitable care practices, demonstrating sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and socio-economic diversity in the school community.
21. Other duties as assigned

Round Lake Area Schools CUSD 116