School Based Nurse

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

Under the general supervision of Detroit Public Schools Community District (“DPSCD”) administration, DPSCD clinical staff, and the Supplier’s clinical leadership, contract Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses shall:

• Utilize nursing principles to provide direct care to students with varying diagnoses during transport on the bus and in the school setting.
• Interact with and train school staff, including administrators, teachers, parents, and support personnel, as necessary to support the safety, health, and well-being of students.
• Perform basic preventative and therapeutic nursing procedures. 
• Educate students and families on health promotion and disease prevention. 
• Maintain adult and child CPR and First Aid certifications. 
• Evaluate the need for school-based medical and nursing care and participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings as required.
• Assist with duties related to the safe operation of the school when circumstances arise, including but not limited to screenings, point-of-care testing, CLIA-waived tests, and vaccinations.

Scope of Nursing Services 

Perform all procedures that are considered general skilled nursing services, including but not limited to:

• Communication and interaction with students, parents or guardians, DPSCD Student Transportation employees, and other appropriate individuals as necessary.
• Commitment to improving internal and external customer satisfaction through consistent utilization of quality service principles.
• Care of students requiring special medical treatment and procedures, including but not limited to catheterization, aerosol treatments, tube feeding, monitoring of vital signs, peak flow monitoring, blood sugar monitoring, carbohydrate counts, parasitic and skin assessments, wound care, ostomy care, ventilator care, suctioning, and tracheostomy care.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities 

Provide consistent, personal, and skilled nursing care to students assigned by DPSCD personnel in accordance with physician orders and the established plan of care. Identify factors affecting the student’s health care, including physical, mental, emotional, environmental, and social conditions, as related to nursing diagnosis. Nursing staff shall provide any medically required services outlined in the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

School-Based Nurses (Exceptional Student Education and General Education) 

School- Based Nurses shall adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Work under the direction of a DPSCD Registered Nurse.
2. Adhere to and document the bell schedule of the assigned school on timesheets unless approval for alternate hours has been granted by the Nursing Supervisor. 
3. Assess each assigned student daily and correlate assessment areas with the student’s diagnosis. 
4. Ensure tracheotomy students have appropriate equipment including trach care kits, portable suction machines, trach tubes, and suction catheters.
5. Provide general nursing services with the assigned school building.
6. Check medical equipment daily for proper functioning and notify the DPSCD Registered Nurse if equipment is missing or not operational. 
7. Provide first aid in medical emergencies.
8. Notify parents or guardians of illnesses, injuries, or incidents while the student is under care. 

Nurses shall follow universal precautions, isolation techniques, PPE requirements, and all sound nursing polices and procedures. 

Documentation shall be timely and accurate and include:

• Medication administration
• Treatments performed
• Monthly data reporting
• Communication regarding communicable disease symptoms
• Any additional required documentation

Incident reports shall be submitted within one school day to the Senior Director of Nursing and DPSCD Risk Management.

Nursing personnel shall maintain updated sub plans for each student to ensure continuity of care in the event of nurse substitution. 

Attendance, Punctuality, and Absence Reporting 

• School nursing requires consistent daily attendance and timely arrival because students rely on nursing support to safely attend school.
• Nursing personnel are expected to report to their assigned school on time and remain present for the full scheduled shift, unless prior approval has been granted.
• Nursing personnel should make every effort to schedule appointments, meetings, personal obligations, and time off requests during times when school is not in session, such as:

• After school hours
• Weekends
• Holidays
• Scheduled breaks
• Other non-workdays

• If time off is absolutely necessary, nursing personnel must contact Exquisite Staffing Solutions in advance to request approval.
• Time off requests are not automatically approved and will be granted based on approval from Exquisite Staffing Solutions and the ability to maintain appropriate nursing coverage. Once time off has been approved by Exquisite Staffing Solutions, the nurse is responsible for notifying their DPSCD team lead of the approved absence.
• Give a written report to the replacement nurse. Ensure that subplan is current and available to the replacement/sub nurse. 
• For unexpected absences, nursing personnel must contact Exquisite Staffing Solutions by calling the main office number and speaking with a live representative at least one hour prior to the start of their scheduled shift.
• Text messages, emails, or voicemails alone are not considered proper notification for unexpected absences unless otherwise instructed by Exquisite Staffing Solutions.

Reassignments and Staffing Needs 

Nursing personnel understand and agree that school nursing assignments may change based on students’ needs, district needs, staffing shortages, absences, or other coverage priorities. Nursing personnel will only be assigned duties that fall within their professional scope of practice, licensure, training, and competency.

• Nursing personnel may be reassigned to another school, classroom, student assignment, or nursing location where the need for nursing support is highest.
• Reassignments will be made at the discretion of DPSCD and/or Exquisite Staffing Solutions based on operational needs and student safety.
• Nursing personnel are expected to remain flexible and cooperative with reassignment requests.
• If a nurse has concerns that a reassignment is outside of their scope of practice or competency, they must immediately notify Exquisite Staffing Solutions before accepting or performing the assignment.

  Education, License & Experience

• Successful completion of an approved or accredited school of nursing. 
• Current, full, active, and unrestricted license to practice as a licensed practical nurse and/or registered nurse in the state of Michigan.
• Experience working with children and adolescents in a healthcare setting. 
• Minimum of twelve (12) months of either LPN or RN experience. 

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities 

• Basic computer skills 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Familiarity with medication administration protocols and procedures. 

  Certifications

• Current Basic Life Certification (BLS) issued by the American Heart Association (AHA). 

Equipment Required

• Stethoscope manufactured by a reputable name brand and kept in excellent condition.

Name Badge Requirements

• Upon completion of the service, employees shall turn in their photo identification badge to the Detroit Public Schools Community District Office of School Health and Wellness located at 4701 McKinley Street Detroit, Michigan 48208. 

Physical Demands 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk. Stooping, bending, lifting, carrying, and other physical demands may be required. The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move a minimum of 50 pounds. The physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essentials functions of this job. 

Performance Expectations

Individuals are expected to but not limited to: 

• Follow the “Code of Ethics and Best Practices” of Exquisite Staffing Solutions, LLC. 
• Agree, observe, and comply with the applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations established by the DPSCD. 
• Report all work-related accidents, and injuries. 
• Maintain a current, valid, and unrestricted license. Failure to do so will result from removal from duties and progressive discipline. Employees are required to immediately notify Exquisite Staffing if a license and/or certification is suspended or revoked. 
• Nursing personnel are expected to keep their assigned work area clean, organized, and professional at all times. This includes maintaining a sanitary environment, properly storing supplies and student health records, disposing of waste appropriately, and ensuring the nursing area is ready to safely support students throughout the school day.
• All nurse providers are expected to report for work on a regular basis, at the times established for the workday/work week. 
• Adhere fully with all quality assurance, peer review, risk management program or other programs that may be established by DPSCD to promote appropriate professional standards of medical care. The healthcare professional agrees to accept both clinical and operational supervision from his/her immediate supervisor.
• Agrees that patient records and charts shall always remain the property of the DPSCD. The individual agrees to maintain the confidentiality of all information related to patient records, charges, expenses, quality assurance, risk management or other programs derived from, through or provided by DPSCD and all information related to this Agreement.

Drug- Free Workplace 

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in Exquisite Staffing’s workplace. If any employee is found to be in violation of this policy, be advised that you will be subject to professional discipline, including, but not limited to, termination. 

As a condition of employment pursuant to the Detroit Public Schools Community District contract, you are required to abide by this provision and notify Kellae Shropshire in writing if you have been convicted of a criminal drug offense (state or federal) no later than five days after such conviction.

Exquisite Staffing Solutions, LLC

Attn: Kellae Shropshire

2000 E. Oakley Park Road , Suite 206

Commerce Township, Michigan 48390

Start times can vary from 7:00am to 9:00am and end times can vary from 2:30pm to 4:00pm.