Substitute School Nurse

substitute school nurse

position purpose: to provide assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management and/or referrals concerning the health and medical care needs of students for the purpose of minimizing absences due to illness, maximizing educational opportunities, and creating a healthy school climate.

essential functions:

• works collaboratively with health care providers, students parents, school district staff and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• assists in the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive school health program.
• performs nursing assessment for students who are ill or injured; applies appropriate theory as basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention and referrals for those students.
• evaluates nursing care provided and changes plan of care as necessary.
• implements board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., tuberculosis).
• maintains accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law, and board of education policies.
• intervenes as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
• provides guidance, counseling and health education to students, parents and employees as necessary.
• reports to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs.
• provides medical assessment to school district employees as requested.
• notifies the appropriate person or agency of student's injury/illness in accordance with board policy as necessary.
• confers with parents, students and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.

additional duties:

• performs other related tasks as assigned by supervisors or other administrators.

equipment:

• uses medical equipment to provide health care to students/staff, including, but not limited to, blood glucose monitor, stethoscopes, thermometers, sphygmomanometers.
• uses personal computers.

knowledge, skills and abilities:

• knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses and injuries, nutrition, and related areas.
• ability to diagnose and provide care for ill or injured students.
• ability to convey appropriate medical information to school district staff or medical professionals to ensure a proper maintenance in the school setting.
• ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed for position.
• ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., word, excel, power point, the internet, outlook, electronic mail).
• ability to problem solve job-related issues.
• ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and students with special needs.
• ability to follow oral and written orders from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and to coordinate work with principal, teachers and others.
• ability to describe orally and in writing school health services provided, issues and concerns regarding school health.
• ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.

safety requirements:

• adheres to all applicable professional safety standards and practices in the nursing field, including requirements set forth in federal and state law, and occupational safety and health regulations.
• implements board policy regarding blood borne pathogens and other board policies regarding the medical or health care of employees and students.

travel requirements:

• travel between schools may be required.

physical and mental demands, work hazards:

• work in standard school building environment.
• exposure to body secretions, blood borne pathogens, medicine and medicinal supplies, illnesses and diseases.

qualifications profile:

must be a certified school nurse or hold a substitute school nurse certificate or an applicant holding an rn license may apply for a substitute school nurse certificate with the county office