POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

 

POSITION TITLE:    School Nurse

FLSA:                       Non-Exempt

 

REPORTS TO:         Supervisor

 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is on an as-needed basis.

 

GENERAL SUMMARY

 

Under general supervision, is responsible for promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of all students by providing services such as assessments, first aid, counseling and emergency care.  

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

Monitors, evaluates and treats physical/medical conditions of students; confers with physicians as needed for proper treatment of injuries/illnesses; refers all severe health problems to parents for further diagnosis and remedy; refers continuing health problems to outside community sources.

 

Reviews student medical files to assess immunization status; maintains accurate and current immunization documentation in compliance with state law, submits required reports to DHEC.

 

Conducts periodic vision, hearing, scoliosis, blood pressure, and head lice screenings; provides referrals to parents for students when screenings indicate physical/medical problems.

 

Develops and implements Individual Health Care Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Health Care Plans (EHPs) for children with special health needs.

 

Instructs students in proper health practices including nutrition, exercise and general health.

 

Communicates with parents concerning the health of their child(ren); provides instruction for proper medical care.  Assists in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.

 

Administers prescription and other medications administered to students, maintains proper, legal documentation.  Monitors medications given by Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAPs).  Trains UAPs to administer medications in the absence of the nurse and maintains a training file.

 

Conducts staff training to promote awareness of illness and disease symptoms; conducts annual Bloodborne Pathogen Training.  Administers Hepatitis B vaccine to approved personnel.

 

Reviews and maintains OSHA standards for healthcare and maintenance of emergency kits, and CPR responder kits.

 

Attends special education meetings as requested by school administration.

 

Treats medical/health conditions of staff as needed on an emergency basis.

 

Uses various tools and equipment, such as AED, audiometer, stethoscope, otoscope, thermometer, scoliometer, audio/visual equipment, first aid supplies, CPR shield, protective clothing, etc.

 

Interacts with school staff and administration, students, parents, physicians, healthcare professionals, caseworkers, psychologists, etc.

 

Prepares a wide variety of paper and electronic records and reports such as emergency cards, daily log of health room visits and treatment given, medicine administration records, health cards for each student, accident reports, immunization records, and medical alert forms.

 

Submits Medicaid and OSHA reports, medication consent/treatment forms, safety data sheets, annual statistics reports, parent notifications, observation records, screening forms, referral forms, etc.

 

Orders health room supplies as needed.

 

Maintains confidentiality of personally identifiable data on students and staff.

 

Willingly perform other duties as assigned or requested.

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

 

Education and Experience:

 

A valid state license to practice as a school nurse, certification as a public school nurse, or any other certification required by the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation; previous experience in pediatric nursing, community health nursing or school nursing preferred.

 

Knowledge:

 

Extensive knowledge in the promotion and maintenance of physical and emotional health.  Knowledge of the proper practices, methods and procedures required for providing healthcare.  Knowledge of methods for detecting illness, injury and disease.  Knowledge of proper health screening methods and procedures.  Knowledge of appropriate referral methods.  Knowledge of all local and state regulations and standards pertaining to school healthcare programs.  Knowledge of pediatric/school nursing practices.  Knowledge of all records and reports which must be completed as required by the school and/or state.  Knowledge of the equipment, machines, tools and supplies used in providing proper healthcare.

 

Skills/Effort:

 

Ability to provide healthcare that promotes and maintains the optimum health status of students.  Ability to interpret and apply school policies and procedures as well as local and state laws and regulations pertaining to healthcare.  Ability to integrate school health service programs with other private and public healthcare delivery systems in the community.  Ability to assess, evaluate and monitor the health and development status of students through appropriate screening techniques.  Ability to identify students needing further diagnosis and treatment, and to provide appropriate referrals and/or obtain further assistance from outside doctors.  Ability to maintain all required forms, records and reports.  Ability to provide healthcare counseling and training to students, staff and parents.  Ability to assist in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect.  Ability to interact in a professional and positive manner with staff, students, parents and all other groups and individuals involved in the activities of the job.

 

Working Conditions:

 

Work is conducted in a school health room and/or classroom environment with exposure to discomforting and potentially dangerous conditions such as diseases, medications, and blood/body fluid exposure; frequent contact with ill students.  Moderately heavy physical exertion is frequently required to lift and move objects weighing up to one hundred pounds.  Limited travel is required.  Job requires the operation of standard office equipment.  

 

Responsibility:

 

No budgetary responsibility. 

No direct supervisory responsibility; coordinates activities of health room volunteers, and supervises students in the health room.