PRIMARY PURPOSE

Serve in the absence of the School Nurse. Provide routine, episodic and emergency health services to students and staff. Serve as a resource for health concerns in the school setting. Promote health education and preventive health practices for students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Certification:

Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program
Valid registered nurse (RN) license to practice professional nursing in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners
Current automatic external defibrillator (AED) and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificates

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Strong communication skills to effectively interact with students, staff, and parents

Handle stressful situations in a calm and efficient manner

Ability to make decisions quickly and independently

Strong organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
Ability to follow implemented policies and procedures

Experience:

Two years’ nursing experience, preferably in school or community health

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Essential Funcations

1. Provide direct care using professional assessment skills, the nursing process, individualized healthcare plans (IHP), and established school health protocols. Provide health counseling and instruction to individual students.
2. Assess student problems, communicate with parents regarding individual students, and ensure appropriate referrals and follow up as needed.
3. Serve as health advocate for students.
4. Notify parents of accident or illness and secure medical care for students in emergency cases (if parents or emergency contact cannot be reached).
5. Develop and implement individualized healthcare plans (IHP) and evaluate outcomes of skilled and direct nursing care and procedures for medically fragile students to ensure safe integration of the student into the school environment.
6. Coordinate management system to administer medications to students at school. Administer medications according to district policy and procedures.
7. Perform screening procedures as required by Texas Department of Health, Texas Educational Agency, and district policy. Make referrals as necessary.
8. Develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health program and make changes based on findings
9. May make home visits to help with student health problems as necessary.

Instruction

10. Participate in development of campus health education curriculum and provide health education to individuals and groups.
11. Provide health counseling and instruction to individual students.

Consultation

12. Serve as health liaison between school, physicians, parents, and community.
13. Assess student problems and make appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, and medical and health care professionals as needed.
14. Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee, crisis team, and school committees.
15. Participate in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.
16. Make home visits to help with student health problems as necessary with permission of principal.
17. Communicate regularly with principal and health services coordinator regarding health services issues.

Administration

18. Review and evaluate immunization records.
19. Enforce procedures to ensure proper program administration according to district policy.
20. Supervise and train nurse aide(s) in clinic procedures and responsibilities according to district policy.
21. Compile, maintain, and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records and accurate, updated health records on all students.
22. Requisition supplies and equipment needed to maintain clinic inventory.
23. Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of Health rules, State Board of Education rules, and board policy in health services area.
24. Report potential health and safety hazards to principal.
25. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.

Professional Development

26. Maintain certification in CPR, vision and hearing screening, and as a health screener.
27. Model behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

MENTAL DEMANDS/ PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard medical clinic equipment including automated external defibrillator (AED); special needs adaptive equipment; standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
Posture: Prolonged sitting; frequent standing, bending. kneeling, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension; repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; occasional reaching
Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and position of students with physical disabilities; assisting nonambulatory students
Environment: Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases; frequent districtwide travel; occasional statewide travel
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

Blanco ISD School Nurse Duties

A. FORMS & PROTOCOLS

1. Student health forms
2. Staff health forms
3. Medication permission forms
4. Medication given at school
5. Special needs students

a. Seizure plan
b. Diabetic plan
c. Asthma action plan
6. Emergencies
a. Anaphylaxis
b. Seizures
c. Diabetes

B. LETTERS

1. Free eye exams/glasses from Lion's Club for students in need
2. Monthly immunization reminder
3. Summer immunization reminders sent in May
4. "Notes from Nurse" letter to parents sent home first day

C. STATE REPORTS

1. Immunizations due in December
2. Screenings due in June

D. AUDIOMETER

1. Calibration required by state - Audio electronics does onsite for our 3 machines.

E. TRAININGS

1. Blood-borne pathogens - all district August in-service
2. Diabetes training

a. Level I campus staff - email info sheet
b. Level II staff directly involved with student - one hour

3. Medication administration - campus secretaries - one hour

F. PK & KINDER REGISTRATION -April
G. PRE-REGISTRATION -August
H. ORDER SUPPLIES

1. Inventory 3 offices
2. Place order after September 1st
3. Unpack and distribute to 3 offices

I. HEAD LICE

1. Random screenings
2. Check classrooms if positive cases, letters home
3. Teach parents - send home instructions, demonstrations, counseling
4. Comb student upon return per protocol
5. Repeated combing of chronic cases

J. COMMUNICABLE DISEASE

1. Letters home with classmates - strep
2. Send students home when ill
3. Recommend doctor when needed
4. Flu surveillance weekly to health department
5. Disease reports to health department when needed

K. TEACHING & COUNSELING

1. Teachers
2. Students
3. Classrooms
4. Parents

L. STUDENTS

1. CPS
2. Medical condition lists to teachers/staff/sub folders
3. Individual medical condition info to teachers
4. Accident reports
5. Travel to each campus, one or more times daily

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.