Complex Medical Support Nurse

Registered Nurse (RN)

Qualifications:

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Illinois.
• Current CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Minimum of one (1) year of pediatric, school nursing, rehabilitation, home health, or medical-surgical nursing experience preferred.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities and medically fragile students preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively in emergency medical situations.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and FERPA regulations.

Position Summary:

The Registered Nurse (RN) provides direct, individualized nursing care to students with complex medical needs to ensure safe access to educational programming throughout the school day. The RN is responsible for implementing physician orders, monitoring students' health status, providing skilled nursing procedures, and assisting with activities of daily living while promoting the students' independence, dignity, and participation in the educational environment.

Essential Duties: (Other duties may be assigned.)

1. Provide continuous one-to-one nursing care throughout the instructional day.
2. Monitor the assigned student's medical condition and respond appropriately to changes in health status.
3. Implement physician orders and individualized healthcare plans.
4. Administer medications and treatments according to district policy and physician orders.
5. Monitor vital signs and overall physical condition as needed.
6. Assess the assigned student's medical status throughout the school day and communicate concerns appropriately.
7. Recognize medical emergencies and initiate appropriate interventions.
8. Perform skilled nursing procedures including, but not limited to:

• G-tube feedings and medication administration
• Tracheostomy care (if applicable)
• Suctioning
• Catheterization
• Oxygen administration
• Seizure monitoring and intervention
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Emergency medication administration
• Airway management
• Wound care
• Other physician-ordered procedures

1. Maintain constant supervision as required by the assigned student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) and healthcare plan.
2. Monitor for signs of illness, distress, seizure activity, respiratory compromise, or medical emergencies.
3. Implement emergency medical protocols.
4. Ensure medical equipment is functioning properly.
5. Maintain emergency supplies.
6. Accompany the assigned students during transitions throughout the school day.
7. Accompany the student during community-based instruction and school-sponsored activities when required.
8. Collaborate with:

• Special education teachers
• General education teachers
• Teaching assistants
• Related service providers
• School administrators
• School nurse
• Parents/guardians
• Physicians and outside medical providers
• Transportation personnel

1. Participate in IEP meetings when appropriate.
2. Provide input regarding the student's medical needs and accommodations.
3. Maintain accurate documentation of:

• Nursing assessments
• Medical interventions
• Medication administration
• Skilled nursing procedures
• Student responses
• Medical incidents
• Parent communication
• Physician communication
• Daily health logs

1. Maintain professional nursing standards and ethical practices.
2. Maintain current nursing licensure and certifications.
3. Participate in required district professional development.
4. Stay current with evidence-based nursing practices.
5. Maintain confidentiality.
6. Demonstrate professionalism with students, families, and staff.
7. Serve as an advocate for student health and safety.

Physical Demands

The employee must be able to:

1. Frequently lift, transfer, reposition, and assist students weighing up to 75 pounds independently and more than 75 pounds with assistance and/or appropriate lifting equipment.
2. Bend, stoop, kneel, squat, and reach frequently.
3. Push and pull wheelchairs and adaptive equipment.
4. Assist with transfers using gait belts, Hoyer lifts, and other transfer devices.
5. Respond quickly during medical emergencies.
6. Remain standing or walking for extended periods.
7. Perform repetitive physical tasks associated with personal care.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills Required:

• Read, analyze and interpret documents including correspondence in print or electronic formats;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the school community;
• Communicate clearly and concisely in verbal or written form;
• The ability to effectively present information and respond to questions is required.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually low. However, on occasion, the noise level will be moderate. Work is usually conducted indoors. This work could be conducted at any assigned school district location.

Working Conditions

1. School setting with frequent exposure to communicable illnesses.
2. Exposure to bodily fluids and medical procedures.
3. Frequent physical assistance of students.
4. Occasional participation in community-based instruction and field trips.
5. May be required to ride school transportation with the student when appropriate.

Employee Performance Evaluation:

Job performance evaluations are completed annually by the Special Education Administration.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive listing of the duties performed in this position. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200 (OPRF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

This position description should not be considered to contain every function/responsibility that an individual may be asked to perform by his/her supervisor. Employees are expected to perform other related functions as assigned.

Oak Park & River Forest High School