Substitute Registered Nurse (RN)

Job Title:                             Substitute Registered Nurse (RN)

Wage/Hour Status:            Exempt

Department:                        Assigned Campus

Reports To:                         Campus Principal and Director

Approved By:                     Board of Trustees

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SUMMARY:

The Substitute Registered Nurse (RN) provides essential services in the absence of the campus school nurse by implementing components of the comprehensive school health program. This role supports students through direct health services, promotes health education and preventative practices, and collaborates with staff, families, and community partners to ensure continuity of care and student well-being.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:    

Graduate from an accredited registered nurse (RN) education program

EXPERIENCE:

Two years nursing experiences, preferably in school nursing, public/community health, or hospital setting

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Texas license as a registered nurse (RN) granted by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners

Certified by Texas Department of Health to conduct vision and hearing screenings (or obtain in the first 2 months)

Certified by UTRGV Border Health to conduct Acanthosis Nigricans screening (or obtain in the first 2 months)

Current CPR/ Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association (or obtain in the first 2 months)

Current Seizure First Aid and Stop the Bleed certification (or obtain in the first 2 months)

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of thermometer, blood pressure cuff, audiometer, otoscope, sphygmomanometer, vision screening equipment, thermo scan, basic clinic equipment, personal computer, and copier.
• Knowledge and use of CPR, First Aid and Heimlich maneuver.
• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health problems.
• Knowledge of Texas health laws, school health procedures, and immunization guidelines.
• Clear understanding of the boundaries and responsibilities within the nursing scope of practice.
• Ability to make timely, independent nursing judgments and effectively prioritize care through triage.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and the community.
• Ability to speak clearly and concisely in written or oral communication.
• Ability to perform all duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Health Services

1. Provide temporary and emergency care for sick and injured students or staff according to district policy and procedures.
2. Serve as health advocate for students.
3. Notify parents of accident or illness and secure medical care for students in emergency cases (if parents or emergency contact cannot be reached).
4. Coordinate management system to administer medications to students at school. Administer medications according to district policy and procedures and maintain an accurate and confidential log of all medications dispensed.
5. Perform screening procedures as required by Texas Department of Health, Texas Educational Agency, and district policy. Make referrals as necessary.
6. Develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health program and make changes based on findings.

Instruction

1. Provide health education curriculum, counseling, and instruction to individuals and groups, including district wide health related events.
2. Provide training and education to campus staff on diseases, treatments, and knowledge to prevent complications (diabetic, administration of medication, AED, stop the bleed, epinephrine auto injectors, anaphylaxis).

Consultation

1. Serve as a health liaison between school, physicians, parents, teachers, staff, and the community.
2. Assess student problems and make appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, and medical and health care professionals as needed.
3. Participate in the committees (i.e., ARD, 504, MTSS, crisis, behavior) to assist in the interpretation of health-related information and review student health needs.
4. Participate in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.
5. Communicate regularly with principal, head nurse, and support services direction regarding health services issues.

Administration

1. Make delegation decisions for healthcare tasks in accordance with state laws and professional practice standards.
2. Accurately document health services provided and clearly interpret and explain medical records, reports, health care plans, accommodations, and interventions.
3. Promote a safe and healthy school environment through screenings, immunization tracking, and infection control measures.
4. Enforce procedures to ensure proper program administration according to district policy.
5. Oversee nurse aide(s) in implementing clinic procedures and responsibilities in alignment with district policy.
6. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records and accurate, updated health records on all students.
7. Requisition supplies and equipment needed to maintain clinic inventory.
8. Keeps clinic clean, uncluttered clinic.
9. Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of Health rule, State Board of Education rule, and board policy in health services area.
10. Report potential health and safety hazards to principal, head nurse, support services director, and state.
11. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.

Professional Development

1. Maintain certification in CPR, vision and hearing screening, and as a health screener.
2. Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.

Other

1. Maintain confidentiality.
2. Participate in staff development training programs to improve job performance.
3. Participate in meetings and special events as assigned.
4. Exercise professional judgment in absences; be punctual to work, meetings, and appointments.
5. Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee the work of assigned licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or nurse aide(s).

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, teachers, students, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to apply mathematical skills such as concepts of basic math, algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Occasional absences are understood but regular attendance is required.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to turn, stoop and kneel.  Moderate to heavy lifting is required of this employee, since the employee must occasionally push, pull or lift up to 100 pounds such as pushing children on wheelchair, etc.  While performing the duties of the job the employee occasionally may visit a child's home.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must maintain emotional control under stress at all times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment.  The employee may encounter biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases.