School Nurse (0.4 FTE)

0.4 FTE School Nurse (Two days/week) School Nurse Job Description Title:School Nurse Reports To: Principal Evaluated By: Principal; Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Definition of School Nursing: School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning. (National Association of School Nurses, 1999) Qualifications: Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 71, s.53). A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Must meet or be eligible to meet the certification requirements as developed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and AED. 1 to 3 years experience in school, pediatric or public health nursing. Reports To: Building Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Supported by School Nurse Leader Job Goal: To enhance the educational process of students by the modification or removal of health-related barriers to learning and by promotion of an optimal level of wellness to both students and staff. Job Responsibilities: Manages a comprehensive school health program consistent with the Massachusetts guidelines, regulations and statutes governing nursing and school health. Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs (vision, hearing, postural, etc.) Promotes positive safety practices both within and outside of school buildings. Maintains current information in a comprehensive school health records for each student based on nursing assessment and medical information, using web-based program. Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions, prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal. Provides medically prescribed interventions, including medication administration (based on state regulations) and provides care to ill children on a daily basis. Provides first aid to injured children and staff and triage to appropriate health care providers. Provides formal health education and instruction to children within classrooms, under direction of Principal. Is a member of the special education evaluation team and as such attends team consultation meetings, makes home visits as needed, attends IEP meetings and collaborates with other team members. Is a member of the Crisis Intervention Team. Is a member of the district Health & Wellness committee. Using the nursing process, collaborates with the parent/guardian and student, when appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student. Maintains a daily record of all nurses’ office visits and activities using web-based program. Documents the administration of all medications in accordance with school medication policy and state regulations. Provides health education to students, families and school personnel to empower them to make informed decisions for optimum wellness. Attends continuing education activities related to current clinical knowledge and professional issues. Provides training to staff members, including, but not necessarily limited to Epi-Pen training, universal health precautions, basic first aid, etc. Adheres to various regulations related to confidentiality of information. Other nursing duties as assigned. Work Environment: Be able to work in a close environment Be able to work in moderately noisy environment Be able to handle frequent interruptions Physical Requirements: Ability to lift 25 lbs. Be physically and emotionally capable of carrying-out responsibilities and duties in a busy, computerized environment. This position requires hand/wrist movement as in writing or using a computer keyboard/mouse and moderate to frequent exertion in body movements such as reaching, bending and twisting. Vision requirements include the ability to read routine and complex documents and to use a computer.