Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistant

To work closely with students with disabilities who are assigned by the Special Education Director to provide direct health, personal care, and instructional support services to students with disabilities in school settings, to maintain appropriate and equitable participation in their least restrictive environment. Works collaboratively with teachers, therapists, nurses, and administrators to ensure students receive appropriate educational and health-related services in a safe environment.

Essential Functions:

• Support special education students with medical needs as directed by the school nurse, and in accordance with the doctor's orders and district policies in the general and special education settings.
• Monitor and report changes in student health, behavior, or physical condition to the appropriate personnel.
• Assist with feeding programs, including specialized diets and feeding protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student health and educational records.
• Assist students in self-care as assigned by the teacher and/or school nurse (i.e., changing, toileting, feeding).
• Assist in the implementation of therapy programs developed by speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and/or other support staff.
• Communicate effectively with the teachers, nurses, therapists, administrators, and parents as directed regarding any problems or special circumstances regarding individual students.
• Supervise students during classroom activities, transitions, lunch, recess, field trips, and community-based instruction.
• Serve as the chief source of information for your assigned students to help any substitute teacher assigned in the absence of the classroom teacher.
• Operate and/or assist in the use of student mobility devices such as, but not limited to, walkers, wheelchairs, braces, and canes.
• Maintain a high level of ethical behavior and confidentiality.
• Implement and maintain student-specific behavior, medical, emergency, or crisis plans.
• Maintain accurate records related to personal care, health services, and assigned duties.
• Participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development activities.
• Follow all district, state, and federal regulations regarding special education services.

Additional Duties:

• Participate in professional development activities as assigned.
• Follow school and district policies and procedures.
• Promote a positive image of the school district to the public.
• Other duties as assigned by the nurse, teacher, and/or principal.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.

Equipment:

• Uses medical equipment to provide health care to students/staff, including, but not limited to, blood glucose monitor, stethoscopes, thermometers, sphygmomanometers, aspirators.
• Uses personal computers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses and injuries, nutrition, and related areas.
• Ability to provide care for all students assigned.
• Ability to convey appropriate medical information to school district staff or medical professionals to ensure a proper maintenance in the school setting.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed for the position.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, the Internet, Outlook, electronic mail).
• Ability to problem-solve job-related issues.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and students with special needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written orders from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and to coordinate work with principal, teachers and others.
• Ability to describe orally and in writing school health services provided, issues and concerns regarding school health.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.

Safety Requirements:

• Adheres to all applicable professional safety standards and practices in the certified nursing assistant field, including requirements set forth in federal and state law, and Occupational Safety and Health regulations.
• Implements Board Policy regarding Blood Borne Pathogens and other Board policies regarding the medical or health care of employees and students.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Work in a standard school building environment.
• Exposure to body secretions, blood-borne pathogens, medicine and medicinal supplies, illnesses and diseases.

Qualifications Profile:

• Any combination of education, licenses, certifications, and experience providing the required skill and knowledge for successful performance would be qualifying.
• Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:
• Mississippi Certified Nursing Assistant License
• High School Diploma or GED
• License or Certificate: Certified Nursing Assistant, as determined by state law, and currently licensed in the state.
• Current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)