Nurse

School Nurse

Responsible for strengthening and facilitating the education process by modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning in individual students and by promoting an optimal level of wellness for students and staff; assume responsibility for appropriate assessment, planning intervention, evaluation, management and/or referral activities concerning health-related issues. To identify, modify or remove barriers which may impeded health and learning in the educational setting.

Education/Certification: Graduate nurse or current license to practice professional nursing issued by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners, required. Graduation from an accredited four-year BSN education program or an Associate Degree in Nursing, required. Current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course completion, required.

Special Knowledge/Skills: Pediatric and adolescent assessment skills, preferred. Mental health experience, preferred. Proficiency in English and Spanish, preferred. Employed within the last three (3) years in nursing practice, preferred. Two (2) years of experience in a clinical/home health setting or one year in school health setting, preferred.

Major Responsibilities and Duties/Essential Functions:

1. Establish and maintain a Comprehensive School Health Services Program at assigned campus(es) to ensure student instruction.
2. Consult with school administration and Director for Comprehensive Health Services Department to establish, review and revise procedures for a comprehensive school health program, which is in compliance with state and local regulations.
3. Uphold professional standards, the state Nurse Practice Act, other state and local statutes and regulations applicable to school nursing practice and provide evidence of participation in continuing education programs to increase understanding and update skills (20 contact hours required every two years for license renewal).
4. Intervene prudently practicing standards of care based on current medical and nursing knowledge.
5. Implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and affect rehabilitation.
6. Demonstrate evidence of use of theory by sharing information with peers, students, family, staff, other professionals and the community to assist change.
7. Collaborate with other professionals in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs and other school activities.
8. Identify the relationship between the student's health status and her/his ability to learn.
9. Ensure that student, family and school personnel are informed about current health status and the interventions taking place within the school setting.
10. Resolve conflict by assessing situations and intervening as appropriate.
11. Coordinate/present inservice programs for school personnel Improvement regarding health related issues.
12. Engage in appropriate and necessary school nursing care to ensure optimal educational opportunity for handicapped, chronically ill or terminally ill students.
13. Participate as an integral member of crisis and interdisciplinary teams.
14. Activate the student health record (Medical/Legal document) upon enrollment.
15. Collect, record and interpret information about the health and developmental status of the student in a systematic manner.
16. Participate in identifying students at risk for physical and psychosocial problems (i.e., Special Education, Child Find, 504).
17. Formulate a nursing diagnosis based on a comprehensive assessment.
18. Develop a nursing care plan with specific goals and interventions delineating school nursing actions unique to students' needs.
19. Establish follow up mechanism for referral of identified students.
20. Provide relevant counseling and guidance to students and parents so they may assume responsibility for maintenance of student health.
21. Participate in evaluation to assure quality of health services provided for students and assume responsibility for continuing education and professional development and contributes to the professional growth of others.
22. Provide evidence of participation in continuing education programs to increase understanding and update skills (20 contact hours required every two years for license renewal).
23. Collaborate with school programs and community agencies to ensure continuity of service and care.
24. Act as a resource to assist school personnel, students, families and community to achieve optimal levels of wellness through health education.
25. Follow McAllen ISD customer service standards.
26. Perform other duties assigned by immediate supervisor (primary evaluator).

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Equipment Used: Computer, copier, fax machine, multimedia and medical equipment

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands: Ability to initiate, manage and monitor multiple, complex programs simultaneously, i.e., clinic traffic, crisis intervention, documentation, telephone calls, conferences; must be continuously alert for quick assessment and decision; motivated in the management of the campus health program; maintain emotional control under stress

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: Risk of blood borne pathogen exposure; risk of exposure to communicable disease; assist in restraining a student in a crisis situation; administer CPR until help arrives; moderate to heavy lifting as required; ability to promptly respond to a medical emergency anywhere on campus

Days: 192

Daily Rate pay range: Minimum: $272.11 Maximum: $379.65 Note: Starting pay for a new hire in a pay range plan will be determined individually based on each person's job-related experience and salaries paid to peer employees in the same position with similar experience.