BWSD School Nurse

NurseProvides preventive health services to facilitate the student's optimal physical, mental, emotional and social growth and development. Supports the education process by working to assure the health of the students. Provides health assessments. Obtains a health history. Screens and evaluates findings of deficit in vision, hearing, scoliosis, growth, etc. For students failing the vision testing and/or hearing testing, a follow-up testing is conducted. For students failing the second vision and/or hearing, the nurse will send a letter to the parents recommending that the student be examined by an ophthalmologist and/or audiologist. Conducts vision and/or hearing, upon parent or teacher request, on any student who is suspected of having visual or hearing problems or students being referred for gifted screening. Conducts vision and hearing screening on students having academic difficulties to determine if a hearing and/or vision loss is the cause of the academic difficulties prior to instructional intervention. Observes children for development and health patterns in making nursing assessments. Develops and implements student health plans. 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 including action plans for students with chronic health problems. Develops procedures and provides for emergency nursing management for injuries/illnesses. Promotes and assists in the control of communicable diseases. 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. Provides consultation in the formation of health policies, goals and objectives for the school district. Where applicable, participates in the IEP plan development. Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the Principal and as mandated by the MS Department of Education. Conducts professional development activities related to medical needs of students. Plans and implements procedures/policies for assistance with medication administration. Collaborates with physical education instructors/coaches to support healthy physical education programs. Collaborates with food service employees to support healthy nutrition programs. Collaborates with staff to implement activities to promote health and prevention of tobacco, alcohol and substance use/abuse. Acts as a resource person in promoting health careers to students. Collaborates with guidance staff/administration to promote dropout prevention. Identifies health and safety concerns in the school environment, promoting a safe environment. Collects and reports clinical data as appropriate for MDE, MSDH, or various grant administrators as appropriate. Will coordinate vision and hearing screening for all kindergarten and fourth grades in the school district.