Health Assistant Candidate Pool

School Health Assistant

The School Health Assistant, under the supervision of the Cluster School Nurse and the school-based administrator, provides school health services to students, staff, families, and school visitors. The School Health Assistant works in a collaborative relationship with the cluster school nurse. The School Health Assistant works as a team member using good judgment according to health services policies and procedures. Performance is evaluated periodically.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: GED or High School diploma or transcript (must scan and upload to the online application). Education completed outside the United States must be evaluated by an MSDE approved organization.
• Certification/Licensure: Current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and first aid. Certification as a nursing assistant (C.N.A.) or a license as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Certification as a Certified Medication Technician or successful completion of the Maryland Board of Nursing required math and reading pretest for medication certification (both MUST be passed with a minimum of 70% accuracy). If you do not have this Medication certification at the time of employment, HCPSS will provide the course within the first few weeks of employment that you will be required to successfully complete and pass to continue employment.
• Experience: At least one year experience working in a health care setting is required, pediatric experience is desired.

Essential Position Responsibilities

• Provides first aid and emergency care to students, school staff, and visitors anywhere in the school building and school grounds following the regulations and procedures established by the Howard County Public School System, the Howard County Health Department, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
• Carries out delegated nursing tasks for students and staff.
• Implements federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and procedures related to school health services. Implements state mandated screening programs.
• Implements laws, regulations, policies and procedures to control communicable disease within the school setting.
• Carries out health services procedures established by the Howard County Public School System. Observes student health, psychosocial and other needs and refers student appropriately.
• Maintains accurate, confidential, and appropriate records following established procedures.
• Administers medication following established procedures.
• Identifies and documents students with health problems and refers students to appropriate resources as necessary.
• Contributes to the development of health care plans and the implementation of plans.
• Confidentially communicates necessary medical information in a timely manner to appropriate school personnel, parents/guardians, and the school nurse.
• Maintains emergency procedure information for students and staff. Supports health promotion for students, staff, parents, and the community.
• Maintains a substitute notebook in the event of absence.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and healthy school environment by identifying and reporting safety or environmental concerns.
• Participates in the development of school evacuation plans and emergency management plans.
• Participates in student services programs and teams in collaboration with the cluster school nurse.
• Participates in professional development activities and training.
• Provides a supportive atmosphere for students and staff while assuring appropriate health room use.
• Establishes and maintains open communication and a cooperative relationship with students, staff, parents, and community.
• Maintains adequate supplies.
• Maintains the health suite in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Performs physical activities such as walking, standing, lifting, and/or transfer up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to walk and run unencumbered to respond to emergencies.
• Must be able to perform CPR on the floor.
• Maintains regular, on time attendance.
• Maintains dress code requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Examples of Work

• Update Sub Book as new students enroll, or student conditions change.
• Document all health visits to the health room.
• Complete student/employee accident/incident reports.
• Participate in school-wide fire and emergency drills.
• Regularly call parents to advise on student conditions.
• Regularly interact with teachers and administrators about changes in student conditions.
• Respond to emergencies anywhere in school and at recess/arrival/dismissal.
• Assist the school nurse in the management/tracking of any disease outbreaks.
• Participate in student services programs and teams in collaboration with the cluster school nurse as needed.
• Participate in professional development activities and training.
• Provide a supportive atmosphere for students/and staff while assuring appropriate health room use.

Employee Safety

• The employee is responsible for the use of safety devices and protective equipment to minimize the frequency and severity of work-related accidents. The employee is responsible for using safe practices and methods in the operation and supplies related to their job.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and basic first aid.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to work independently within the guidelines of policy and procedure using discretion and good judgment.
• Ability to accept supervisory directions.
• Ability to stay calm under adverse circumstances and to calm others under stress.
• Ability to relate to children, parents, and educational personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication, both orally and in writing, with school administrators, central office personnel, faculty, staff, parents, and students.
• Ability to communicate competently with tact and listen effectively.
• Ability to provide a supportive atmosphere for students and staff while assuring appropriate health room use.

Working Hours

• The duty day for this position is 7.5 hours which will include a 30-minute unpaid, duty-free lunch period.

Application Requirements

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Selection Criteria

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system. Applicants may be required to complete a skills assessment prior to or during the interview process.

Compensation

This is a 10-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. This position is salary Grade VII on the Secretaries and Assistants Salary Scale. Health Assistants receive an additional $0.30 per hour while working a duty-free lunch. Health Assistant working at Telemedicine Health Assistants will receive an additional $1.00 per hour. Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers prior experience relevant. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is not exempt from overtime.

Retirement

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee's annual salary.

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion