School Nurse

School Nurse

Key/Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Responsible for provision of nursing services for students supported in assigned school, working in collaboration with school staff, families and external providers to protect and maintain students' health by obtaining information or updates regarding students' medical needs to inform support plans and regularly engaging with students and staff to conduct observations, assessments and trainings.
• Develops and maintains an understanding of applicable Federal, State and/or Local government regulations and standards applicable to school nursing as they relate to infection control and nursing care, including needs or care for specific medical and related conditions of students supported and of scopes and standards of nursing practice in New York State, keeping abreast of updates or changes to ensure compliance with all applicable requirements.
• Facilitates implementation, training and monitoring of adherence to infection control practices and other related plans across assigned school, including those relating to mandated immunization, communicable diseases, OSHA regulations and exposure control and initiates health surveillance programs when needed, compiling and documenting student health information in accordance with all requirements.
• Ensures compliance with annual physical requirements for assigned school consistent with NYS Department of Health Article 43, monitoring to ensure completion and submission of health forms by all students and staff and following up with staff, school leadership and families or providers as needed and maintains documentation in appropriate systems.
• Utilizes the nursing process with each student, identifying and assessing their condition and health needs, establishing person-centered plans of care in collaboration with families, providers and school staff, implementing appropriate nursing interventions and evaluating overall condition, including responses to treatment, to inform updates or changes and improve effectiveness of care.
• Administers medications, treatments and/or specific care to students in accordance with documented requirements and consistent with medical provider instructions.
• Conducts observations and collects data to support assessments and monitoring of students including monitoring reactions to drugs or treatments, taking vital signs, complaints or concerns from students, staff, parents and/or providers.
• Administers first aid for students and school staff, when needed and makes appropriate recommendations and notifications for more significant injuries or illnesses.
• Collaborates with staff across school to facilitate medical treatment and supports, particularly for complex or specialized medical needs, including with speech department regarding feeding-related needs or plans, modified diets and protocols, ensuring adherence to provider recommendations and facilitates g-tube/enteral feedings for students, when applicable.
• Identifies and reports concerns regarding school building safety or environmental issues or advisories, which may impact student or staff health, to school leadership and communicates advisories to staff supporting students whose conditions may require additional monitoring, as applicable.
• Documents all medical and health-related services provided to students in accordance with established guidelines and within appropriate timelines in electronic systems or on paper as required by applicable regulations and completes appropriate documentation for injuries, accidents or other reportable incidents that occur during each school day.
• Writes, reviews and/or updates plans of nursing care and other individualized support plans for students and regularly completes reports, forms and/or other summary documents in appropriate formats and systems in accordance with all applicable requirements.
• Provides guidance and direction to temporary or 1:1 nursing staff assigned to individual students regarding school systems, processes, procedures and specific conditions or specialized care, as applicable.
• Regularly communicates and advises on school policies and procedures with families and staff, providing support, guidance and resolutions to specific concerns or issues relating to health, safety and medical needs of individual students and makes timely notifications regarding incidents, medical attention or other health-related concerns to parents and/or providers; escalates concerns to Principal, as needed.
• Collaborates with the school's multi-disciplinary team regarding medical needs and concerns with students, interpreting medical data, coordinating follow-ups with appropriate parties to resolve concerns or update information at the start of each school year and collects medical reports, prescriptions or other documentation, including to facilitate returns to school following illnesses, procedures or hospitalizations.
• Presents information and responds to inquiries regarding health, conditions and/or status of students in case conferences or other staff or school meetings, as requested.
• Responds to emergency medical situations, leading response to codes and making notifications to staff, families and/or providers, calling 911 and performing appropriate life-saving measures, when needed.
• Provides in-service training and education related to medical needs or protocols and regularly communicates any updates or changes to medical needs or requirements for specific students including signs and symptoms, seizure or other medical emergency plans or allergies, maintaining notifications in student records and posting appropriate notices in classrooms for staff awareness.
• Participates in the review of potential new admissions, reviewing medical records and documentation to assess clinical needs and making recommendations regarding whether the school can appropriately support applicants in reaching their full potential in collaboration with school leadership.
• Complies with all Federal, State, Local and other relevant regulatory agency requirements, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification Requirements including education, experience, licensure/certification, etc. and essential physical capabilities (e.g. lifting, assisting lifting, standing, etc.)

• Valid, active Registered Nursing (RN) license and/or registration to practice as an RN issued by the New York State Education Department; and
• Holds (or obtains within 90 days of appointment), Current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification for Healthcare Providers and maintains for duration of assignment; an
• Two (2) years of experience working with school aged children in any capacity, ideally in a pediatric setting providing I/DD, mental health, crisis or other services for complex needs.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, along with the ability to effectively interact with and appropriately communicate medical information to students, families and staff at all levels.
• Highly organized and flexible with strong administrative and follow-up skills, including the ability to effectively manage multiple priorities and meet all applicable requirements and deadlines.
• Familiarity with the needs of school aged children, including neurodivergent students or students with complex needs, related clinical syndromes, medical support needs and/or cooccurring behavioral/mental health diagnoses, as applicable for student population at assigned school.
• Proficiency with computers and electronic systems, including ability to use or to quickly learn to use applicable equipment, software and/or electronic programs, specifically Salesforce and other related electronic systems, email, Microsoft Office Suite and Workday.
• Ability to report on-site to assigned school on a regular basis.
• Ability to meet essential physical demands of position including frequent walking, sitting, standing, pulling and reaching with hands and arms; using hands to handle, finger or feel objects, tools or controls; bending, twisting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, pushing as needed; having the physical capacity to work with and implement emergency interventions as per student's Behavior Support Plan if needed including lifting/moving individuals of any weight with or without assistance of equipment and/or other staff or running if needed.

Preferred Qualification Requirements (desired requirements beyond MQRs above)

• Previous experience as a school nurse and/or nursing experience in any setting working with pediatric patients and their families.
• Familiarity with local oversight agency regulations applicable to medical or nursing care in a school setting, specifically New York State Education Department, NYC Department of Education and/or NYS Department of Health.

Compensation & Benefits:

• $85,000 annually- $95,000 annually
• Tuition reimbursement
• Medical and dental insurance (with options for family and more extensive medical plans, as well as vision)
• Paid Time Off and School Holidays
• 403(b) retirement with employer match
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Discounts on travel, entertainment, wireless services, shopping, and more

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam or disabled veteran. YAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To ensure fairness, safeguard transparency, and promote an equitable workforce environment, YAI Network prohibits the practice of nepotism in the workforce and hiring process.