School Nurse

NEW WAVERLY INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Details

Title: School Nurse

Reports to: Principal and District Lead Nurse

Primary Purpose

Assist in development and implementation of a comprehensive health services program to best meet the needs of the student population on the assigned campus. Provide health services to students. Promote health and safety education for students and preventive health practices for students. Serve as a health advocate for students.

Qualifications

Education/Certification

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program
• Valid registered nurse license (RN) or license to practice licensed vocational nursing (LVN) in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners
• Current CPR/AED certification
• Certification by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to conduct vision, hearing, and spinal screenings or in progress to obtain certification

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health defects
• Ability to implement policies and procedures
• Knowledge of basic first aid
• Proficient keyboarding and file maintenance skills
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Experience

• Two years nursing experience, preferably in community health, home health, or pediatric nursing

Major Responsibilities and Duties

Nursing Services

1. Provide direct care using professional assessment skills, the nursing process, individualized healthcare plans (IHPs), and established school health protocols. Provide health counseling and instruction to individual students.
2. Assess student problems, communicate with parents regarding individual students, and ensure appropriate referrals and follow up as needed. Serve as a liaison between school personnel, the family, healthcare professionals, and the community.
3. Notify parents of accidents or illness. Secure emergency medical care for students as needed.
4. Develop IHPs (per RN scope of practice only) and implement IHPs (per RN and LVN scope of practice) in order to evaluate outcomes of skilled and direct nursing care and procedures for medically fragile students to ensure safe integration of the student into the school environment.
5. Serve as a health advocate for students.
6. Ensure that medications are administered to students according to district policy and procedures.
7. Establish and implement effective procedures for carrying out mandatory screening programs. Perform screening procedures as required by the Texas DSHS. Make referrals as necessary.

Instruction

1. Participate in development of campus health education curriculum, and serve on the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC).
2. Educate faculty and staff as needed on health related topics.
3. Provide health education to students, families, and the local community including contributing to campus communications regarding health issues.

Consultation

1. Serve as a health liaison between school, physicians, parents, and community. Comply with all District and local campus routines and regulations.
2. Assess student problems and make appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, and healthcare professionals as needed.
3. Collaborate closely with campus principal and other staff and provide leadership to ensure a healthy school environment. Work to meet the health needs of the general school population and those students with identified health conditions.
4. Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARD) meetings of students with identified health needs. Develop IHPs per RN scope of practice only. RN and LVN scope of practice to include working with district personnel regarding implementation of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and services.
5. Advise campus administration in crisis or emergency situations. Participate in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.
6. Communicate regularly with campus principal and district lead nurse regarding health services issues.

Administration

1. Work with district lead nurse to develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health programs and make changes based on findings. Develop and recommend campus policies and procedures to promote the health and wellness of students and staff.
2. Supervise, train, and participate in evaluating LVNs, clinic assistants, unlicensed diabetic care assistants, or other school personnel who have responsibility for assisting students with health needs. Review clinic procedures and responsibilities according to district policy.
3. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic documentation and accurate, confidential student health records such as immunization records, medication administration records, individual student treatment records, and IHPs. Review and evaluate immunization records throughout the year..
4. Maintain supplies and equipment needed for clinic inventory.
5. Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas DSHS, Texas Education Agency, and district school board policy.
6. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations. Enforce procedures to ensure proper program administration according to district policy.
7. Report potential health and safety hazards to principal.

Professional Development

1. Maintain professional nursing skills and knowledge as required by the Texas Nurse Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing. Maintain appropriate continuing education hours required for licensure according to the Texas State Board of Nurse Examiners.
2. Maintain certification in Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers (CPR/AED) and certification by the Texas DSHS to conduct vision, hearing, and spinal screenings.
3. Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Supervise and evaluate clinic assistants, unlicensed diabetic care assistants, or other school personnel who have responsibility for assisting students with health needs.

School/Community Relations

1. Articulate the District’s mission and goals in the area of healthcare services to the community and solicit its support in realizing the mission.
2. Demonstrate awareness of District and community needs and initiate activities to meet those identified needs.
3. Demonstrate the use of appropriate and effective techniques for community and parent involvement.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands

1. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written.
2. Interpret policies and procedures.
3. Work with frequent interruptions. Maintain emotional control under stress.
4. Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously .

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

1. Frequent walking, standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing, pulling, and twisting.
2. Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and position of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students.
3. Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases.

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by:__________________________________________ Date: ______________

Reviewed by: __________________________________________ Date: ______________