School Nurse - RN

Position open until filled.

JOB TITLE: School Nurse – Registered Nurse

REPORTS TO: Health Services Director and Building Administrator

JOB GOAL: To enhance the educational process of students by maximizing their health and well-being, modifying or removing health-related barriers to learning, and promoting an optimal level of wellness.

JOB SUMMARY:

• Applies nursing practice to the unique needs of individuals, groups, and populations of schools
• Promotes, implements and upholds the professional standards of school nursing practice as established by the Kansas Nurse Practice Act
• Follows state and local health practice statutes, district policies, and administrative guidelines
• Serves as a medical resource and health advocate for students and staff
• Assumes the responsibility of appropriate health assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management, and referrals for students
• Plays a key role in identifying health concerns and treatment measures, providing instruction, counseling, and guidance in the maintenance of good health practices and disease prevention
• Serves as a direct link between the healthcare provider, family, and community agency in securing access to health services and is assuring continuity of health care for students

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program with a Bachelor’s Degree in nursing (preferred)
• Five years of nursing experience, preferably in community health, pediatrics or adolescent health (preferred)
• Valid registered nursing license to practice professional nursing in the state of Kansas from the Kansas State Board of Nursing
• School Nurse Certification through state or national program or board (preferred)

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The school nurse’s duties will vary depending upon the needs of the individual school population; however, the purpose of the school nurse as described in the work summary remains the same. The duties fall into the following categories:

• Provider of Health Services

• Conducts mandated screenings for vision, hearing, growth, and dental
• Supervises prescribed medical treatments and medication administration according to district policy
• Provides assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management, and referral for appropriate medical care of students with acute/chronic health conditions and in emergency situations
• Participates in the development and implementation of a complete and functioning program to provide ongoing emergency health care
• Manager of Student Health Care

• Assists in the development or revision of policies, procedures, and work standards for the school health services program
• Monitors compliance with current state immunization and health assessment requirements
• Serves as liaison and facilitator for access to health care resources in the community
• Collaborates with school support staff to meet health care needs of students
• Provides identification, assessment, care planning, referral and follow up for students with acute/chronic health care needs and/or communicable diseases
• Serves on school and community committees upon request and as needed as a health care advisor and student advocate
• Educator/Counselor

• Interprets student health care needs to families and school staff
• Educates families through written communication, verbal contacts, and home visits when necessary to encourage follow-through of health care referrals
• Educates students, staff, and parents/guardians regarding medication administration, medical procedures needed at school, acute/chronic illness management, prevention and control of communicable diseases, emergency care, and other health-related issues
• Provides assistance and counseling for students with psychological and medical concerns and/or physical limitations and assists in adaptation of any limitations
• Serves as consultant and resource for health and wellness promotion, (ie hygiene; nutrition; increasing physical activity; weight management; smoking – consequences/cessation, etc.)
• Provides information regarding the availability of community resources and assistance to families in the utilization of health care and treatment services
• Develops and conducts in-service training sessions for school staff on Bloodborne Pathogens, CPR/First Aid/AED, chronic health, wellness and other health-related topics as needed

SUPERVISING RESPONSIBILITY:

• The school nurse reports to the Health Services Director and building administrator and is responsible for supervising health professionals, volunteers, and non-health professionals within the scope of practice as a licensed Registered Nurse as outlined in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Frequent district-wide travel and/or possible travel on bus with medically fragile students;
• biological exposure to bacteria and communicable diseases;
• mentally and physically able to perform job functions;
• lifting up to 50 pounds;
• flexibility to get down on hands and knees to render first aid if needed

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• CPR/First Aid/AED Certified
• Competent in physical assessment, hearing and vision screenings
• Competent in trach care, inhaler/nebulizer treatments, tube feedings, catheterizations, vaccinations, specialized feeding care, and other health services procedures
• Computerized documentation (Word, Excel, email)
• Writes reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals as needed
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of students, staff, parents and the general public
• Creation of Individualized Health Care Plans, Emergency Action Plans, and other written instructions for student health needs
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents, and other professionals

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated annually by the Director of Health Services

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 186 day school year or days deemed by local school board