1:1 Registered Nurse Special Education

1:1 Registered Nurse Special Education

The 1:1 Registered School Nurse (RN) for Special Education provides comprehensive professional nursing services for an assigned student with complex medical needs while supporting the student's educational success. The RN independently assesses student health needs, develops and implements Individualized Health Care Plans (IHPs), provides skilled nursing care, coordinates medical services, and collaborates with parents, healthcare providers, and school personnel to ensure safe participation in educational activities.

When the assigned student is absent, the Registered School Nurse provides professional nursing services in a campus clinic, including clinic management, staff education, emergency response, and student health services.

All employees are expected to act with integrity, support organizational goals, communicate respectfully, champion the needs of students, and demonstrate continuous improvement.

Qualifications: Required:

• Current Texas Registered Nursing License
• Current CPR/AED certification

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing
• Experience in school nursing, hospital, or home health settings
• Experience working with medically fragile, special education, or pediatric populations
• Certified by Texas Department of Health to conduct vision and hearing screening*
• Certified for Texas Risk Assessment for Type 2 Diabetes in Children (TRAT2DC) screening*

*Opportunities are available to obtain certifications within Spring ISD

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Ability to lift, transfer, and/or position students as needed
• Ability to remain calm and respond effectively in emergencies
• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health deficits
• Ability to implement policies and procedures
• Knowledge of chronic and acute health conditions common in school-age children
• Skill in implementing physician orders and safely delegating tasks in accordance with Texas Nurse Practice Act
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow medical orders and implement Individualized Health Care Plans (IHPs)
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation in accordance with district and state requirements
• Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area
• General knowledge of curriculum and instruction
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior

Major Responsibilities and Duties: Nursing Services (1:1 Assignment)

• Independently assess student health status and provide skilled nursing care.
• Provide daily medical care, monitoring, and supervision according to physician orders, IHP, emergency action plans, and ARD/IEP requirements.
• Provide specialized procedures (e.g., tube feedings, catheterizations, seizure care, suctioning, trach care) as permitted by nursing licensure.
• Accompany and support the student throughout the school day, including to and from school and during school-related activities as determined by the Individualize Educational Plan (IEP).
• Maintain close and consistent monitoring for safety, health status, or potential medical emergencies, ensuring appropriate coverage during transitions or breaks.
• Document all care, interventions, medications, treatments, observations, and communication in the approved district documentation systems.
• Maintain confidentiality in compliance with FERPA and HIPAA.
• Communicate health concerns or changes in condition to parents/guardians, campus staff, the campus nurse, and the Director of Nursing.

Floating / Clinic Support Responsibilities

(When assigned student is absent or during extended IEP-approved absences)

• Serve as the acting campus clinic nurse, providing care for ill or injured students and staff.
• Assist with medication administration, daily clinic operations, and routine procedures following district policy.
• Support screenings or other initiatives as directed by the Director of Nursing.
• Support immunization compliance, documentation review, and other essential campus nursing functions.
• Provide coverage during campus nurse absences as assigned by Director of Nursing.
• Provide CPR training to staff
• Provide chronic disease management training to staff

Collaboration and Consultation

• Serve as a health liaison among parents, teachers, administrators, transportation, and medical providers.
• Participate in ARD/IEP meetings as needed to support planning and student health needs.
• Communicate regularly with the Director of Nursing regarding student status, equipment needs, and safety concerns.
• Demonstrate professional, ethical behavior aligned with the Texas Nurse Practice Act.

Compliance and Documentation

• Maintain accurate and timely student health records, medication logs, treatment charts, and daily notes.
• Follow district policies, Board policy, and all Texas Department of State Health Services requirements.
• Participate in mandatory training (e.g., diabetes care, seizure safety, emergency response, transportation protocols).
• Report suspected abuse/neglect according to state law and district policy.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain RN licensure and continuing education requirements as required by Spring ISD and Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) as required by the State Board of Nursing.
• Keep well informed of the latest trends in health and education by attending meetings and professional growth activities that promote professional competency.
• Maintain instructor certification in CPR/AED, certification in vision, hearing and TRAT2DC screening.
• Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
• Demonstrate understanding of and compliance with the Nurse Practice Act and Standards of Professional School Nursing Practice.
• Maintain professional memberships.
• Model professionalism, confidentiality, and sound clinical judgment.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Nursing.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Train and supervise the work of assigned health clerk/LVN or designated unlicensed assistive personnel and document same.

Working Conditions: The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling. This position will also require both traveling within the district and state wide. Mental demands: Ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data; ability to interpret TEC and policy; ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory, ability to be effective in both oral and written communication; ability to maintain emotional control under stress. May be required to lift and position students with physical disabilities to administer service. Exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases. The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Spring Independent School District