Certified School Nurse

Certified School Nurse

The CSN is responsible for coordinating, collaborating, planning for and, in most cases, providing direct services to ensure the school district's health program is carried out according to the specifics in the law, as defined by the PA DOH Division of Health Regulations and the Scranton School District. The goals of the CSN position are to maintain and/or improve the health status of students, enabling them to profit fully from their educational experiences, and promote optimum health status and lifestyles for all students through joint efforts of the home and school community.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops and maintains a comprehensive school health services program for students, following the guidelines of the PA School Code, PA DOH regulations and Division of School Health guidelines, PA DOE Regulations, and Scranton SD policies.
2. Coordinates school dental and physical exams with the Chief School Nurse and school administration.
3. Ensures that reports required by the SSD, PA DOH, Division of School Health and PA DOE are properly prepared and forwarded.
4. Provides direct services to students, using the nursing process to provide care to the school community in accordance with current medical practice and nursing standards, relevant statutes and regulations.
5. Performs and/or oversees mandated screenings and completes referrals and follow-ups when applicable.
6. Manages and controls acute and chronic disease in collaboration with the PA DOH.
7. Provides first aid for illness/injury to students and documents nursing assessment and treatment.
8. Establish and maintain comprehensive health records for all students.
9. May establish health care plans for students with special health care needs and update as needed.
10. Reviews and monitors student's immunization status and communicates needs with guardians when needed.
11. Assists parents and teachers with interpreting the health needs of individual children and provides community resources as needed.
12. Administers medications and performs procedures according to the health care providers orders and SSD policies and procedures.
13. Informs teachers of health conditions of pupils which may affect behavior, appearance or scholastic performance.
14. Facilitates an organized system of coordinating care for students by collaborating with agencies to ensure continuity of care of students.
15. Identifies high risk children to needed services, including students presenting with signs of child abuse.
16. Promotes a safe and healthy school environment.
17. Applies appropriate nursing theory and evidence-based practice as the basis for decision making in a school setting.
18. Serves as a resource person to facilitate learning of positive health and wellness behavior for students and staff.
19. May arrange for in-service programs for school personnel in first aid, emergency care procedures and current health issues.
20. Completes accident reports promptly and accurately.

Requirements:

1. Current PA Registered Nurse License
2. Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN)
3. Certification as Educational Specialist by PA DOE
4. Current CPR/AED certification
5. Preferred background/experience in pediatric nursing, community health nursing, critical care nursing, medical-surgical nursing and/or emergency room nursing.
6. Knowledge of current Child Abuse Law
7. Required Act 48 continuing education coursework for Nursing license and Education Specialist II Certificate
8. Required State and Federal Clearance

Physical Demands:

1. Ability to reach above and below the waist
2. Ability to use fingers to pick, feel and grasp objects.
3. Some stooping, bending and twisting of the body required.
4. Ability to lift and/or carry supplies and/or papers weighing no more than 20 lbs.
5. Ability to sit, stand, walk or move throughout the building and/or office, often for extended periods of the workday.

Sensory Ability:

1. Visual acuity.
2. Auditory acuity.

Work Environment:

1. Typical office environment.
2. Subject to inside environmental conditions.

Temperament:

1. Must possess excellent interpersonal skills.
2. Must be able to work in an environment with frequent interruptions.
3. Able to make appropriate decisions and work under a high level of stress.

Cognitive Ability:

1. Ability to communicate effectively.
2. Ability to organize tasks.
3. Ability to handle multiple tasks.
4. Ability to exercise good judgment.