School Nurse (.5 position)

School Nurse

Danbury Public Schools is a diverse community located in the western part of Connecticut and serving more than 12,500 students spread across the City of Danbury, Connecticut. We are committed to cultivating equity and excellence for all of our students, closing the opportunity gaps, and preparing students for post-secondary success. The mission of Danbury Public Schools, in partnership with families and the community, is to provide transformational learning experiences, designed to nurture thoughtful and prepared graduates. We have set very ambitious and rigorous goals to assure that our students graduate prepared to transform our world, and we are always searching for staff who are committed to our mission and the success of our students.

Our schools range from 13 different and unique elementary schools including an interdistrict magnet school for International Studies, to three middle schools, including an intradistrict magnet school focused on STEM and World Studies, to our flagship Danbury Career Academies that are transforming how we deliver education to students with a wide range of interests taught by a faculty with real world and academic experiences. DPS recruits and commits to educators with passion, who are committed to our vision to aspire to advance ALL learners to their highest potential.

Mission Statement The mission of the School Health Program in Danbury Public Schools is to protect and improve the health and educational success of students, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for the school community. This is achieved by advancing school nursing practices through a comprehensive health program that emphasizes prevention, early detection, education, and effective resolution of health-related issues.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as a member of the school team as the designated health professional.
• Maintains accurate, comprehensive, well-organized records, logs, surveys, and reports in keeping with requirements of the State of Connecticut, and policies of the Danbury Board of Education.
• Confers with parents, students, teachers, support staff and other professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.
• Monitors students with special needs for the purpose of maintaining them in the school setting.
• Supervises compliance with Connecticut State mandated physical examinations and immunization requirements.
• Coordinates the administration of prescribed medications and treatments for students in school and/or school sponsored activities.
• Responsible for training designated staff in medication administration in accordance with Connecticut State regulations.
• Performs vision, hearing, and postural screenings as per Connecticut State regulations and makes referrals and follow-up on any deviations from normal.
• Writes individual health care plans (IHCP) for students with special needs and incorporates them into IEP and 504 plans when indicated.
• Conducts annual in-service trainings for staff, including OSHA Blood Borne Pathogens and Infection Control.
• Serves as a resource to teachers, and administrators in information related to health promotion and disease prevention.
• Remains current with the school nursing profession through participation in professional development, and is knowledgeable of State of Connecticut laws pertaining to immunizations, medication administration, health records, and other health related issues.
• Provides health care treatment and/or emergency services to injured or ill students and staff.
• Assists families as necessary in obtaining a medical home, HUSKY state health insurance, needed immunizations, dental care or other health related needs.
• Attends staff meetings as scheduled and performs other nursing duties or professional tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:

• A valid State of Connecticut RN license to practice professional nursing
• BSN preferred, but not required
• Current CPR certification
• Minimum of 1 years of clinical nursing experience, preferably in pediatrics and/or community health.

Reports to: Health and Nursing Services Coordinator

Work year: 10 month position. Salary as per contract