School Nurse-Teacher

Certified School Nurse Teacher

Qualifications:

• Current license as a Registered Nurse by the RI Department of Health
• Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited Institution; (Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred)
• RIDE Certification - Valid All Grades School Nurse-Teacher Certificate in grades PK-12 in RI Public Schools
• Three years of documented experience as a Registered Nurse; (Pediatric experience preferred)
• Current CPR/AED/First Aid Certification

Reports To:

Building Principal, Director of Pupil Personnel and RI Department of Health

Job Goal:

The National Association of School Nurses defines school nursing as: A specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well-being, academic success, and lifelong 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.

Performance Responsibilities:

• Provides health assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management and referral related to acute and chronic illness, first aid, mental health, medication management and health education for students and staff.
• Responsible for direct and indirect care given to students in compliance with school district policies, professional standards of practice, physician's orders, and the Individual Health Care Plan.
• Develops and implements individual health care and emergency care plans for students with health care needs to ensure safety and optimal health, while advocating for student accommodations to allow full access to the educational program.
• Provides specialized medical care to high risk students and those with chronic illnesses (allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, medically fragile, etc.) to assist the child in achieving the highest possible functional level in the school setting.
• Administers first aid and emergency care for illness and injury to students/staff, providing immediate medical attention and related follow-up action as indicated.
• Practices according to the standards of clinical nursing practice as established by the American Nurses Association, the laws of the State of Rhode Island as established in the Rhode Island Nurse Practice Act, and adheres to the Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (216-RICR-20-10-4), as established by the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Department of Education.
• Maintains comprehensive school health records and implements district health policies as required by Rhode Island Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
• Supervises or performs mandated screenings (vision, dental, hearing, scoliosis) and makes necessary referrals and/or provides appropriate follow up care as mandated by the RI School Health Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
• Reports health and safety issues to building administrators and/or appropriate agencies, such as bullying, suspected child or substance abuse, or other health related issues for the purpose of maintaining students' safety, referring for proper treatment, maintaining a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Communicates and collaborates with parents, students, health care providers, and/or other agencies to refer for additional treatment/services, secure information, and promote overall health.
• Promotes health maintenance and disease prevention through health education and counseling/referral for students, families and staff to enhance individual, family and community health.
• Actively participates in ongoing professional development and keeps current with research and best practice for a variety of health and medical topics applicable to school nursing.
• Participates in a variety of meetings and interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of gathering, conveying and/or sharing information on student health needs, service delivery, and educational programs and/or improving skills and knowledge.
• Participates as the health…