School Nurse

School Nurse

To provide the fullest possible educational opportunity for each district student by minimizing absence due to illness and creating a climate of health and well-being in the district schools.

An individual who holds this position is responsible for:

• Assessing and evaluating the health and developmental status of students through appropriate screening techniques.
• Monitoring initial screening programs in schools served and providing secondary screening prior to referral.
• Assuming responsibility for selection and referral of students identified by the screening process as needing medical or other care.
• Compiling information including observations, appropriate medical records and screening results.
• Interpreting the date to students, their families and school personnel.
• Maintaining health records and using the information accumulated to initiate preventive, remedial or rehabilitative action.
• Monitoring pupil immunizations as required by law.
• Recording screening data using appropriate computer program.
• Maintaining cumulative health records and performing clerical duties as school policy allows access to records on appropriate computer program.
• Participating in health counseling, planned and unplanned, with individuals and groups to assist students in improving their health status and promoting self-care, decision making and wellness behavior.
• Interpreting nursing assessments and medical evaluations to students, families and school personnel.
• Planning and supervising daily care of students with disabilities, as needed.
• Providing care management for children with identified health needs.
• Incorporating health teaching in all activities performed.
• Participating as a team member in developing and evaluating IEP's needed for students with special health care needs.
• Assisting parents to learn about health problems and aspects of parental responsibility for the health care and maintenance of their child/children.
• Providing relevant health instruction, counseling and guidance to students, school personnel, parents and others on such topics as first aid and emergency care, CPR training and specific health problems.
• Planning, initiating and monitoring preventive programs.
• Planning, organizing and coordinating a system of care for illness and first aid and emergency care.
• Assuming responsibility for maintenance of the health room.
• Monitoring injury reports to identify potential hazards and encourage their elimination.
• Administering first aid, care and comfort of ill or injured students as stipulated in written health policies and procedures, if appropriately trained.
• Participating in the development and revision of written health program policies.
• Taking and recording accurate temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and other symptoms presented by the student.
• Maintaining student records electronically for health room visits.
• Assisting in identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect and reports to the appropriate person as outlined in school board policy.
• Making home visits as appropriate and necessary.
• Serving as a liaison between the school, home, private health care providers, health and social agencies and other community resources to assure appropriate utilization of all available resources for student health needs.
• Consistent and regular attendance is an essential function of this position.
• Ability to work to implement the vision and mission of the district.
• Participate in meetings of the School Wellness Committee.
• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, dress, and appropriate professional manner for the work setting.
• Maintains strict confidentiality.
• Adheres to all district rules, regulations, and policies.
• Using district medical program, electronically maintain cumulative health records and student visits to the health room.
• Follow established policy and procedures for care of ill and injured students.
• Follow up on students with excessive absences for health reasons.
• Send out referral letters for health problems and screening failures after rescreening by registered nurse and referral decisions have been made.
• Follow up on referrals and maintain a log or worksheet of referral status.
• Assume responsibility for maintenance of health room supplies and equipment.
• Assist in identifying possible abuse and neglect and follow district reporting procedures.
• Prepare reports of nursing activity for participation in the DHSS contract.
• Screen all new entrants for height/weight, vision, hearing within one week of enrollment.
• Do initial screening for vision and hearing (in grades determined by DHSS).
• Participate in development of emergency action plans for students needing emergency provisions.
• Implement individual health care plans, including special care procedures.
• Provide assessment of vision and hearing for students being evaluated for special education placement and report findings.
• Provide health instruction to students, teachers, parents and community as needed.
• Assist teachers in finding resources for health…