Title:               School Nurse

Reports to:     Principal, Head School Nurse, and Director of Student Services

Terms of Employment:         10 month/200 day contract

Purpose: To enhance the educational process by the modification or removal of health related barriers to learning and by promotion of an optimal level of wellness.  To provide leadership and consultation to the principal and staff in matters pertaining to school health.

Job requirements:   

• Current license to practice as a registered professional nurse (RN) OR licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Ability to work cooperatively with students, parents, school personnel, and community agencies                        
• Valid VA Driver's License         
• Two years experience with references; experience with child and adolescent health, school health, or community health preferred
• Graduate of an accredited program of nursing by certificate, associate, or bachelor’s degree.  Maintains current license.      

Essential functions:

Physical Requirements: seeing, hearing, clear speech, touching, smelling, lifting (minimum 20 lbs), walking, climbing stairs, bending, ability to respond quickly to emergencies on all building levels, driving

Stress Factors: stamina, high pressure, independent functioning, flexibility

Work Environment: works with others, verbal and face-to-face contact, primarily inside, primarily English speaking

Mental Requirements: reading and writing of complex materials, perception, judgment, decision-making

Equipment: computer, telephone, medical equipment

Performance Functions and General Job Description (*denotes RN functions): 

Clinic standard

• Administers and manages medications within the schools
• Performs medical procedures for medically involved/ fragile students
• Implements the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogen Plan
• Screens and evaluates finding of deficit in vision, hearing, fine & gross motor, and scoliosis
• Performs first aid/CPR as needed by current standards of practice
• Implements procedures and provides for crisis intervention for acute illness, injury and emotional disturbances
• Conducts headlice screens and manages detected cases
• Maintains clean and orderly school clinics
• Refers to designated RN, principal, parent, division head nurse, Director of Student Services, medical provider, or community resources, when necessary
• Promotes and assists in the control of communicable diseases through preventive immunization programs, early detection, surveillance and reporting of contagious diseases
• Participates in Eligibility and child study meetings
• *Develops Health Care Plans, IEP’, 504 plans, AEP plans       
• *Assist and supervises unlicensed personnel with meeting clinic needs       
• *Assesses client needs, plans for care, implements plan, and evaluates process for health care plans     
•  *Travels between schools to provide direct care/consultation                    

Communication standard

• Maintains, evaluates, and interprets cumulative health data to accommodate individual needs of students
• Inspects student records for compliance with laws regarding school physicals and immunizations
• Maintains and communicates emergency information for each student
• Generates required reports
• Maintains confidentiality with student/employee health information       
•   *Interprets medical findings to the student, family, and school personnel       
•  *Interprets governmental laws related to the health of students                                                                        Coordination standard
• Understands the roles of school staff and work with them appropriately
• Works with health services to develop and implement health regulations and protocols
• Attends school and community meetings and committees as needed, assigned, or requested          
• *Trains, supervises, and evaluates others involved in health services delivery as appropriate

 Health Education Standard

• Acts as a resource person to school staff regarding health education
• Provides individual health teaching and counseling for students, families, and employees
• Promotes student, staff, and school safety and wellness through health education         
• *Provides formal health instruction within the classroom using sound learning and developmental                       theories

Professional Standard

• Adheres to district policies and school system regulations
• Conducts herself/himself in a professional manner
• Works collaboratively and cooperatively for the benefit of the total school program
• Demonstrates participation in maintaining current content knowledge
• Demonstrates professional improvement in the health services program through self-assessment and through collaboration with supervisor
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Evaluation: Health Services is a function of the Student Services Department.  Clinical supervision will be managed through the coordination of the division Head Nurse and Director of Student Services.   The school principal and division personnel administrators will supervise work attendance, district policies, and other professional issues.