School Nurse; Floater​/Per Diem

Starting Date: Aug 28, 2023

School Nurse (Floater/Per Diem)

Principal/Designee and/or Director of Health Services

The school nurse is responsible for developing, implementing and managing a school health program for a school population as defined by the school district. Responsibilities include program management, nursing services, collaboration, health education, community health planning, and professional practice.

• Valid current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Massachusetts
• Baccalaureate or Master's degree in nursing from an accredited professional nursing program
• Certified or eligible for certification as a school nurse through the Massachusetts Department of Education
• Minimum of two years experience in community health, school nursing, pediatric nursing or a related field of nursing

Establishes and manages a comprehensive school health program

• Promotes positive safety practices both within and outside of school buildings, and ensures that the school has an emergency plan which is communicated to personnel and students.
• Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs.
• Maintains comprehensive, up-to-date school health records in all grades.
• Collaborates with school administrators and personnel in assessing and improving the social and emotional climate of students and faculty; involves them in maintaining a healthful school environment.
• Uses population-based data collection to plan and evaluate the school health program.
• Prepares regular written reports for school officials and MDPH and other agencies.
• Interprets school health service needs and the role of the school nurse to the school and community.
• Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions, prevention of blood borne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal.
• Ensures the orientation, training, supervision, and evaluation of paraprofessionals as needed.

Demonstrates appropriate nursing assessment skills and collaboration in meeting the health needs of students and staff

• Collaborates with the parent/guardian and student, where appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student.
• Collects information about the health and developmental status of the student, his/her family, and significant others.
• Visits homes, as needed.
• Develops a nursing diagnosis and care plan with specific goals and interventions.
• Delineating school nursing actions specific to student needs and coordinated with the efforts of other providers and school personnel; implements plans in a manner aimed at improving health and educational status.
• Provides medically prescribed interventions.
• Administers over the counter medications per school physician certified standing orders to students and staff.
• Responds to frequently encountered health issues, providing counseling and crisis intervention when required.
• Responds to child neglect or abuse issues (as required by Massachusetts statute).
• Assesses student response to nursing actions in order to revise the database, nursing diagnoses, and nursing care plan and to determine the progress made toward goal achievement.
• Provides first aid to injured children and staff.
• Provides everyday care of acutely ill children and staff.
• Keeps daily records of students and staff seen in the health room.
• Maintains current health records on each student.
• Manages children with communicable diseases.
• Performs state-mandated screening programs and provides appropriate referrals
• Assists the Board of Health with immunization…