School Nurse-Teacher

Certified School Nurse Teacher

Qualifications:

• Current license as a Registered Nurse by the RI Department of Health
• Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited Institution; (Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred)
• RIDE Certification - Valid All Grades School Nurse-Teacher Certificate in grades PK-12 in RI Public Schools
• Three years of documented experience as a Registered Nurse; (Pediatric experience preferred)
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

Reports To: Building Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel and RI Department of Health

Job Goal:

The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as: A specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Provides health assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management and referral related to acute and chronic illness, first aid, mental health, medication management and health education for students and staff.
• Responsible for direct and indirect care given to students in compliance with school district policies, professional standards of practice, physician's orders, and the Individual Health Care Plan.
• Develops and implements individual health care and emergency care plans for students with health care needs to ensure safety and optimal health, while advocating for student accommodations to allow full access to the educational program.
• Provides specialized medical care to high risk students and those with chronic illnesses (allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, medically fragile, etc.) to assist the child in achieving the highest possible functional level in the school setting.
• Administers first aid and emergency care for illness and injury to students/staff, providing immediate medical attention and related follow-up action as indicated.
• Practices according to the standards of clinical nursing practice as established by the American Nurses Association, the laws of the State of Rhode Island as established in the Rhode Island Nurse Practice Act, and adheres to the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (216-RICR-20-10-4), as established by the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Education.
• Maintains comprehensive school health records and implements district health policies as required by Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
• Supervises or performs mandated screenings (vision, dental, hearing, scoliosis) and makes necessary referrals and/or provides appropriate follow up care as mandated by the RI School Health Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
• Reports health and safety issues to building administrators and/or appropriate agencies, such as bullying, suspected child or substance abuse, or other health related issues for the purpose of maintaining students' safety, referring for proper treatment, maintaining a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Communicates and collaborates with parents, students, health care providers, and/or other agencies to refer for additional treatment/services, secure information, and promote overall health.
• Promotes health maintenance and disease prevention through health education and counseling/referral for students, families and staff to enhance individual, family and community health.
• Actively participates in ongoing professional development and keeps current with research and best practice for a variety of health and medical topics applicable to school nursing.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of gathering, conveying and/or sharing information on student health needs, service delivery, and educational programs and/or improving skills and knowledge.
• Participates as the health team specialist on the student education evaluation team to develop the IEP or 504 plans in compliance with ADA and IDEA.
• Acts as a health resource for students, teachers and other school personnel by providing information and trainings on a variety of health related subjects, such as CPR/AED/First Aid and bloodborne pathogen training, disaster preparedness, health education, medication management, substance abuse, food allergies, safety and hygiene, etc.
• Complies with FERPA and HIPAA policies regarding confidentiality.
• Collaborates to establish health policies, protocols and procedures, and acts as a resource for the development of the school health curriculum.
• Collaborates with agencies and other school safety team members to conduct site assessments to identify potential issues and provide recommendations for improving safety and accessibility.
• Participates in annual review of standing orders and periodic revision of objectives, standards, policies, and functions of the school nurse, first/aid illness guidelines and the total school health program.
• Prevents and controls communicable disease spread, provides illness surveillance, ensures environmental infection controls and contact tracing and reports as indicated to the RI Department of Health.
• Exhibits attributes of reliable attendance, promptness, dependability, and professional ethics; Use effective communication skills with students, colleagues, families and related agencies (spoken, written and non-verbal); Complete all requested forms, reports, and data collections in an accurate and timely manner; Perform the functions of the position in accordance with the: RI Professional Code of Conduct; and all laws, regulations, school district policies, directives, the mission of the district, school-based plans, and administrative priorities / requests.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned and/or necessary to perform the functions of the position.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee is regularly required to operate a keyboard, to view a computer screen, and to sit or stand for extended periods of time. Required vision abilities include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently required to bend, stoop, kneel, reach with hands and arms, grasp and manipulate large and small items. The employee is also required to move from location to location, lift items weighing up to 30 pounds, and engage in restraints following CPI. Communication requirements include the ability to hear and respond to voice and other sounds in small and large settings with background noise and to present information orally and in writing.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Terms of Employment: Per Teacher Contract

Evaluation: Performance will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the School Committee policy on evaluation of teaching staff.

To support the Barrington's commitment to diversity, and to foster inclusion, respect, and equity in education, the successful candidate will be expected to include people of all races, ethnicities, creeds, socioeconomic classes, gender identities, sexual orientations, and disability statuses in work activities. Preference will be given to candidates who articulate their commitment to valuing inclusivity and diversity.

Smithfield Public Schools