Substitute School Nurse

Substitute School Nurse Job Description

Responsibilities include but shall not be limited to providing health services to students, monitoring students' medical conditions, communicating with parents/guardians. Responsibilities may also include but shall not be limited to performance of functions such as administration of daily medication and provision of routine medical procedures such as diabetic checks and blood sugar monitoring, tube feedings, suctions, seizure management, urinary catheterizations, and insertions of urinary catheters. The school nurse may be required to supervise Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and other licensed and unlicensed staff. It is desired that the individual have knowledge regarding provision of services to students with disabilities. CPR/AED certification is required. Concussion training is preferred. Additional desirable characteristics include dependability, good organizational skills, and experience with computer software databases. Regarding physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position, requirements include but are not limited to the abilities to regularly and repetitively stand, walk, sit, lift, carry, bend, stoop, crouch, reach, climb stairs, push and pull. Other responsibilities may be assigned. The assignment is subject to change. Requirements: Civil Service Non-competitive, Registered Nurse License Required, CPR/AED Certification Required Board of Education approved rate. Substitute School Nurse: $300 per day

Job Title: Substitute School Nurse/Health Assistant Location: Various Buildings within Orleans/Niagara BOCES

Length of Year: Per Diem Length of Day: Will Follow Employee Schedule

Reports To: Building/Site Administrator Pay Scale: Per Diem Substitute School Nurse/Health Assistant

Purpose: To replace the Regularly Appointed School Nurse/Health Assistant in his/her absence. Performs professional nursing services at one or more schools in the maintenance of acceptable health standards, school health records, and the treatment of student and employee health problems; does related work as required.

Distinguishing Features of the Class: This is a professional nursing position involving responsibility for giving care to students and for performing related nursing services such as pupil health screening and notification of defects and communicable disease control requiring judgment and skills. This position differs from the certificated position of School Nurse-Teacher in that there is no responsibility for either classroom instructions or guidance involved. The work is performed under the general direction of the Building/Site Administrator.

Essential Functions/Typical Tasks (Illustrative Only): The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• Assist in providing a healthy, safe environment for students and staff.
• Oversee the administration of medication as prescribed by a physician; monitor student side effects and notify appropriate personnel and agencies as required.
• Respond to medical emergencies.
• Administer first aid and emergency treatment when necessary to students and employees, including calming patient, monitoring vital signs, or administering CPR.
• Assist with child's prescribed physical health care needs, i.e. toileting, tube feeding, tracheotomy suctioning and replacement, catheterization, ambulation, monitoring of vital signs, maintaining vital functions, etc.
• Follow established school procedures for care and reporting of injuries and illness.
• Prepare and maintain cumulative health records for students.
• Maintain attendance records, re-admit students, issue special passes and excuses and make related telephone calls to parents.
• Arrange transportation for sick or injured students or employees to hospital, home, doctor's or dentist's office, if necessary.
• Appraise health status of students or employee.
• Prepare and apply dressings with physician's orders.
• Prepare appropriate reports according to established District policies.
• Orders, inventories and oversees the storage of first aid and related health supplies and equipment.
• Establish a climate that promotes respect.
• Conduct oneself in a business-like and task-oriented manner.
• Use positive verbal and non-verbal skills.
• Model non-discriminatory practices in all activities.
• Cooperate with school personnel.
• Maintain confidentiality of all information concerning students, staff, or parent/guardian in any public setting.
• Assist in upholding and enforcing school rules, administrative regulations, and School Board Policies.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of routine health care techniques and their application in a school setting.
• Working knowledge of first aid and CPR techniques and skill in their application.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Ability to make concise oral and written reports concerning health office activities and findings.
• Ability to write legibly.
• Possess clerical aptitude.
• Knowledge of medication effects and proper administration procedures.
• Knowledge of operation of specialized health assessment instruments.
• Understand modern medical terminology, equipment, and techniques.
• Understand accepted methods and principles of personal hygiene.
• Knowledge of diagnostic methods for medical conditions and diseases.
• Awareness of health and safety regulations.
• Ability to observe physical symptoms of medical conditions.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action during routine and emergency situations.
• Identify various health needs and unusual and critical cases such as child abuse.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to prepare and keep records and reports as required.
• Possess problem solving skills, patience, reasoning, judgment, and analytical abilities.
• Work cooperatively with others and independently as needed.
• Possess positive communication skills, both orally and written in working with students, physically and developmentally handicapped children, parents, and personnel.
• Provide health information to students and staff.
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

Position Requirements:

• Candidate must be at least 18 years of age.
• Education equivalent to graduation from an accredited high school or General Education Certificate (GED).
• School Nurse: Must have a current valid license as a RN (Registered Nurse)
• Health Assistant: Must have a current valid license as an LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse)
• Experience in public health and/or school nursing preferred.
• Candidate must agree to the required fingerprinting and authorize a criminal history records check through the New York State Education Department in connection with their prospective employment as a substitute employee.

Equipment Used:

• Fax Machine Copier
• Personal Computer Typewriter
• Calculator Various Medical Equipment

Physical Requirements:

Duties performed typically in school settings to include: classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeteria, auditorium, and recreational areas.

Frequent walking, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting of students, equipment and/or materials may be required. Other physical activities may be required. Occasional travel with students on field trips may be necessary. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for determining and analyzing medical situations, and observing medical conditions.

Dexterity of hands and fingers is required to manipulate medical apparatus. The substitute school nurse/health assistant is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions, noise and hazards. Regular contact with other staff members and program/building administrator(s) is required on assigned days as a substitute.

Environmental Conditions:

• Air-conditioned/Heated buildings Occasional exposure to weather extremes
• Ability to withstand varying noise levels Random exposure to anti-social behavior
• Ability to tolerate stressful situations Chance of exposure to bodily fluids and infectious diseases
• Fortuitous exposure to odors

Position Information:

• Employment is on an as-needed basis.
• Services may be needed for one day, one week or one month.
• All daily assignments are subject to possible cancellation (without compensation) at any time prior to the beginning of the workday.
• Need for substitutes will vary from day-to-day and week-to-week and, as such, no guarantee can be given for work on any given day.
• Supervised by Building/Site Administrator.
• Employment is automatically discontinued effective June 30th, unless the individual is re-appointed for the succeeding school year.