School Nurse

Professional School NurseForbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.Employment Type: Full-timeBase Salary: $55,886.00Calendar: Certified Exempt, 187 workdaysBenefits: Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurancePerformance Pay: Available annuallyNew Hire Experience: $500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experienceNew Hire Education: $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degreesJob Summary:The primary purpose of the professional school nurse is to intensify the educational process through enhancement of the health status of children and youth. The school nurse carries out functions requiring nursing judgment, uses initiative based on nursing experience and has the education and the ability to maintain interdependent relationships with colleagues in health, education, and related professional fields.Key Responsibilities:Demonstrates knowledge and skills in planning health programs in coordination with the administrator (e.g., health curriculum, disease prevention, and promotion/maintenance of student health)Conducts student health screening programs to assess physical, mental, and emotional healthAdministers appropriate medications to students according to district policies and procedures; has knowledge of medication's use, action, contradictions, and side effectsCoordinates health services information among home, school, private physician, clinic, and other community agenciesAssists teachers in planning health curriculum by providing valid resource materials and presenting demonstrations in the classroom that are relevant to healthful livingInterprets and alerts the staff to school health laws, health trends and school health problemsUtilizes assessment skills to plan and provide care for ill and injured students and staff; develops nursing care plans for special needs studentsAssists parent/guardian with health-related referral resourcesCollects social/developmental history information for student evaluations and participates in Medicaid billing when appropriateProvides health counseling for students to encourage and maintain optimum health practicesFunctions as a member of the school child abuse team and other district intervention teams as directed by the site administratorFunctions as a member of the school safety committee and serves as a resource to maintenance, cafeteria, and other services involved in maintaining a healthful physical environmentResponsible for maintaining accurate health documentation and continuous required health recordsCompiles accurate yearly reports to document student encounters and nursing activities; provides results to district health servicesMaintains professional growth through continuing education and support of professional organizationsSupervises health assistants while on site; building administrator supervises the health assistant in the absence of the nurseImplements state and district guidelines for control of communicable disease, including state rules for immunization complianceAdheres to all Professional Standards set forth by Mesa Public School and the Arizona State Board of NursingAssists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public SchoolsRequired Qualifications:Bachelor's degree, preferably in nursing including public health nursing, theory and practiceValid Arizona Registered Nurse LicenseArizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance CardExperience in school nursing or public health nursingExperience in caring for children and adolescents, often in clinical or hospital settings, is highly valuableExperience in public health or community settings helps school nurses address broader health concerns and educational outreachSkills & Competencies:Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a GraduateDemonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and communityStrong communication and interpersonal skills to work with students, parents, and staffProficiency in identifying, assessing, and managing acute and chronic health conditionsOrganizational skills to handle medical records and compliance with state health regulationsKnowledge of mental health support, immunization protocols, and emergency responseRespond promptly to medical emergencies, including first aid and CPRCommunicate effectively with students, parents, school staff, and healthcare providersProvide clear and compassionate guidance on sensitive health issuesWork closely with multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, counselors, and parents, to address student health needsLead initiatives to improve school health policies and practicesTrain staff in basic first aid, allergy awareness, and emergency preparednessUse electronic health records (EHR) systems and school management software efficientlyWork Environment & Physical Requirements:Majority of the work is done in a designated nurse's office or health clinicDaily interaction with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and occasionally healthcare providersBusy school environments can be noisy, especially during recess or transitions between classesFrequent exposure to contagious diseases, requiring strict hygiene practicesAbility to move around the school campus quickly during emergenciesOccasionally lifting or assisting students with mobility challenges (e.g., helping a child into a wheelchair); up to 50 lbs.Capacity to respond physically and mentally to emergencies under stressEqual Opportunity Employer Statement:Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.