School Health Care - Nurse, LVN/RN

Certified Roving Nurse

This is a certified position responsible for assisting LPN's and health aides in the daily clinic operation of their assigned school. A high degree of organizational skills and attention to detail are needed along with the ability to work with a wide range of professionals in the school setting and community. The certified roving nurse must be able to communicate effectively and to work independently within established guidelines in a timely manner.

This position requires a licensed professional nurse preferably with a baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited school of nursing, a minimum of two years of clinical experience including supervisory role, and CPR/AED certification. The individual must be able to exercise assessment and critical thinking skills when delivering nursing services in the school setting. Maintain confidentiality and use good judgment in handling and dispersing information while applying new concepts and details quickly and adapt easily to change.

Performance Responsibilities:

1. Shall be responsible for the nature and quality of all nursing care that a student is given under the direction of the roving registered professional nurse in the school setting.
2. Assessment of the nursing needs, the plan of nursing action, implementation of the plan, and evaluation of the plan.
3. In fulfilling nursing care responsibilities, may perform the following:

Serve as a health advocate for students receiving nursing care;

Counsel and teach students, families, and groups about health and illness;

Promote health maintenance;

Serve as a health consultant and a resource to teachers and administrators who are providing students with health services during school attendance hours;

Utilize nursing theories, communication skills, and the teaching-learning process to function as part of the interdisciplinary evaluation team.

4) As indicated, to ensure the delivery of nursing services to students attending USD 501, the roving professional nurse will:

Teach growth and development to fifth and sixth grade students;

Administer student medications with correct documentation;

Assist with emergency care for injuries and illness in the school setting;

Reconcile weekly nursing services reports;

Compile and ensure accuracy of quarterly reports and end of the year reports;

Schedule and/or assist with screening programs for pediculosis, hearing/vision, height/weight;

Direct supervision of a diabetic management plan;

Conduct onsite visit for head injury/trauma neurology assessment;

Provide substitute clinic coverage in the absence of the LPN or health aide;

Notify the coordinator of nursing services whenever an ambulance is called; and

Report absences to the coordinator of nursing services.

5) Delegation (authorization) for unlicensed persons and/or licensed practical nurses to perform selected nursing tasks or procedures in the school setting under the direction of a registered professional nurse.

6) Shall perform the following:

Assess each student's nursing care needs;

Individualize and sign plan of care before delegating any nursing task or procedure to an unlicensed person; and

Individualize and sign plan of nursing care for each student who has one or more long-term or chronic health conditions requiring nursing interventions.

7) The registered professional nurse shall orient and instruct unlicensed persons and/or licensed practical nurses in the performance of the nursing task or procedure. The registered professional nurse shall document in writing the unlicensed person's demonstration of the competency necessary to perform the delegated task or procedure. The designated unlicensed person shall co-sign the documentation indicating the person's concurrence with this competency evaluation.

8) The registered professional nurse shall:

Be accountable and responsible for the delegated nursing task or procedure;

At least twice during the academic year, participate in joint evaluations of the services rendered;

Record services performed; and

Adequately supervise the performance of the delegated nursing task or procedure in accordance with the requirements of K.A.R. 60-15-103.

e) Per the superintendent the roving nurse should visit clinics staffed with health aides at least once a day and licensed practical nurses should receive a visit at least once a week.

9) Each registered professional nurse shall supervise all nursing tasks or procedures delegated to designated unlicensed person and licensed practical nurses in the school setting in accordance with the following conditions (K.A.R. 60-15-103).

The registered professional nurse shall determine the degree of supervision required after an assessment of appropriate factors, including the following:

Health status and mental and physical stability of the student receiving nursing care;

Complexity of the task or procedure to be delegated;

Training and competency of the unlicensed person and/or licensed practical nurse to whom the task or procedure is to be delegated; and

Proximity and availability of the registered professional nurse to the designated unlicensed person and/or licensed practical nurse when the selected nursing task or procedure will be performed.

1. The supervising registered professional nurse may designate whether or not the nursing task or procedure is one that may be delegated or supervised by a licensed practical nurse (K.A.R. 60-15-103).
2. Each delegating registered professional nurse shall have a plan to provide nursing care when the delegating nurse is absent (K.A.R. 60-15-103).
3. A registered professional nurse may delegate the procedure of administrating medications to unlicensed persons if all of these conditions are met (K.A.R. 60-15-104).

The initial dose of a medication has been previously administered to the student.

The administration of the medication does not require dosage calculation.

The nursing care plan requires administration by accepted methods of administration.

13) The registered professional nurse shall not delegate the procedure of medication administration in a school setting to unlicensed persons when administered by any of these means (K.A.R. 60-15-104):

By intravenous route;

By intramuscular route, except when administered in an anticipated health crisis;

Through intermittent positive-pressure breathing machines; or

Through any tube inserted into the body, except through an established feeding tube directly inserted into the abdomen.

14) Other duties as assigned.

Terms of Employment: Certified contract August through May.

Evaluation: Performance of this position will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the Certified Agreement.

Organizational Relationships: Coordinator of Nursing Services.

Topeka Public Schools