School Nurse - Emerson Elementary School

Professional School Nurse

Forbes 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-time

Base Salary: $55,886.00

Calendar: Certified Exempt, 187 workdays

Benefits: Sick leave, holidays, matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay: Available annually

New Hire Experience: $500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience

New Hire Education: $65/hour of graduate level credits: BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max $1000 for advanced degrees

Job 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.

Candidates must complete an on-line application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.

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 health
• Administers appropriate medications to students according to district policies and procedures; has knowledge of medication's use, action, contradictions, and side effects
• Coordinates health services information among home, school, private physician, clinic, and other community agencies
• Assists teachers in planning health curriculum by providing valid resource materials and presenting demonstrations in the classroom that are relevant to healthful living
• Interprets and alerts the staff to school health laws, health trends and school health problems
• Utilizes assessment skills to plan and provide care for ill and injured students and staff; develops nursing care plans for special needs students
• Assists parent/guardian with health-related referral resources
• Collects social/developmental history information for student evaluations and participates in Medicaid billing when appropriate
• Provides health counseling for students to encourage and maintain optimum health practices
• Functions as a member of the school child abuse team and other district intervention teams as directed by the site administrator
• Functions 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 environment
• Responsible for maintaining accurate health documentation and continuous required health records
• Compiles accurate yearly reports to document student encounters and nursing activities; provides results to district health services
• Maintains professional growth through continuing education and support of professional organizations
• Supervises health assistants while on site; building administrator supervises the health assistant in the absence of the nurse
• Implements state and district guidelines for control of communicable disease, including state rules for immunization compliance
• Adheres to all Professional Standards set forth by Mesa Public School and the Arizona State Board of Nursing
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in nursing including public health nursing, theory and practice
• Valid Arizona Registered Nurse License
• Experience in school nursing or public health nursing
• Experience in caring for children and adolescents, often in clinical or hospital settings, is highly valuable
• Experience in public health or community settings helps school nurses address broader health concerns and educational outreach

Skills & Competencies

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with students, parents, and staff
• Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and managing acute and chronic health conditions
• Organizational skills to handle medical records and compliance with state health regulations
• Knowledge of mental health support, immunization protocols, and emergency response
• Respond promptly to medical emergencies, including first aid and CPR
• Communicate effectively with students, parents, school staff, and healthcare providers
• Provide clear and compassionate guidance on sensitive health issues
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, counselors, and parents, to address student health needs
• Lead initiatives to improve school health policies and practices
• Train staff in basic first aid, allergy awareness, and emergency preparedness
• Use electronic health records (EHR) systems and school management software efficiently

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Majority of the work is done in a designated nurse's office or health clinic
• Daily interaction with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and occasionally healthcare providers
• Busy school environments can be noisy, especially during recess or transitions between classes
• Frequent exposure to contagious diseases, requiring strict hygiene practices
• Ability to move around the school campus quickly during emergencies
• Occasionally 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 stress

Equal 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.