SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL HEALTH NURSE

School Nurse Position

The school nurse is the health professional in the school and is responsible for carrying out the total health services program. She reports to the Senior Nurse Administrator for program implementation and to the principal of the school as a member of the school support services team. General responsibilities include implementing school health policies, caring for emergencies and providing first aid, arranging and conducting a variety of health screening, and providing health counseling to students, parents and staff. The school nurse also serves as a resource person in the area of health education.

Essential Job Functions:

Implements school health policies, communicable disease control, first aid measures and standing orders in the school(s) assigned.

Applies theories from nursing and the physical, behavioral, public health and social sciences to provide health counseling to students, parents, and staff, making referrals to community resources when appropriate.

Keeps accurate and comprehensive health records.

Determines if all pupils have complied with the state mandated immunization requirements.

Arranges and conducts special immunization programs, when requested by the School Medical Advisor, in consultation with the Newington Director of Health.

Arranges for and assists school doctors in giving physical examinations to students and athletes; and interprets the results to students, their parents, and school personnel when indicated.

Assumes the responsibility for vision, hearing, posture screening and makes proper referrals on any deviations from normal.

Cares for emergencies and sudden illnesses occurring at school and instructs others how to give staff follow-up care.

Collaborates with other school professionals, parents and caregivers to meet the health, developmental and educational needs of students and serves as a member of interdisciplinary teams.

Contributes to the education of students with special health care needs by assessing the client, planning and providing appropriate nursing care and evaluating identified outcomes.

Assists students, families and the school community to achieve optimum levels of wellness through appropriately designed and delivered health education.

Remains current with the nursing professional reading.

Prepares health care plans for students as needed.

Additional Job Functions: May perform additional tasks and duties as requested.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of health related education and public health laws, practices and procedures.

Knowledge of school nursing.

Strong diagnostic skills.

Ability to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Ability to deal effectively with staff and families.

Ability to establish and maintain complex files and record systems.

Ability to use computer equipment and related software programs.

Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information as necessary.

Receptive to constructive criticism with self-discipline to implement recommendations for improvement.

Apply principles of logical, critical, creative or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Demonstrate continued professional curiosity and growth.

Remains abreast of developments and innovations in the field by reading current literature and attending professional development activities.

Communicates high expectations of students, staff, parents/guardians and community partners.

Required Physical and Mental Effort and Environmental Conditions:

Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines, changing priorities and conditions.

Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.

Ability to attend to task/function for more than 60 minutes at a time.

Ability to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.

Ability to move throughout all buildings and sites.

Works in office setting subject to continuous interruptions.

Exposure to video display terminals on a daily basis.

Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.

Ability to file letters, correspondence, reports, etc. in file cabinet drawers ranging from 1' to 5' from the floor.

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Experience/Requirement: Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor in Nursing. School nursing experience preferred.

License or Certificate: Current State of Connecticut registered nursing license.

Newington Public Schools