Substitute School Nurse

Primary Purpose:

Implement district health services program to best meet the needs of the student population on the assigned campus. Provide health services to students. Promote health and safety education for students and preventive health practices for students.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred
• Valid registered nurse license (RN) from Texas Board of Nursing
• Current BLS certification
• Texas Department of State Health Services certification for vision, hearing, spinal screenings (preferred).
• Certified by the University of Texas Pan American Border Health Office to perform Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment (preferred).

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Responsible for knowing and conforming to all standards of nursing practice as outlined in the Texas Nursing Practice Act
• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health defects
• Ability to implement policies and procedures
• Knowledge of basic first aid
• Proficient keyboarding and file maintenance skills
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills

Experience:

• Two years nursing experience, preferably in school, pediatric, community and or emergency nursing.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Nursing Services

• Collaborates closely with the campus principal, health services coordinator, school counselor(s), teachers, parents, food service staff and other staff to ensure a healthy school environment and assist in meeting the health needs of the general school population and those students with identified health conditions.

• Collaborates with other school professionals, parents, caregivers, and members of the community to maximize communication and deliver health and social services to students.

• Maintains communicable disease prevention and control measures in accordance with state and local health department regulation, district policy and departmental procedure/protocol.

• Assess student problems, communicate with parents regarding individual students and ensure appropriate referrals and follow up as needed.

• Provides episodic and emergency healthcare to ill or injured students/employees. Secure emergency medical care for students/employees as needed.

• Documents all health information according to standards of nursing practice/Texas Nurse Practice Act, district policy and department guidelines and protocol.

• Demonstrates effective communication through written, verbal, nonverbal and computer usage skills.

• Assists in maintaining a comprehensive school health program according to nursing standards of practice, district policy and departmental procedure and protocol.

• Serve as health advocate for students.

• Complies with state regulations, Texas Nurse Practice Act and Texas Medical Practice Act for the safe administration of medication to students. Enforces state regulations, district policies and department protocols for the safe administration and security of medications.

• Establish and implement effective procedures for carrying out mandatory screening programs (if needed).

• Identifies, delineates, and clarifies the nursing role, promotes quality of care, pursues continued professional enhancement, and demonstrates professional conduct as outlined in the Texas Nursing Practice Act.

• Articulates the district’s mission and goals in the area of health care services, and solicits support in realizing the mission.

• Participate in development of campus health education curriculum as needed, educate faculty and staff as needed on health related topics and provide health education to individuals and groups.

• Advise campus administration in crisis or emergency situations and participate in       assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.

• Work with health services coordinator to develop and coordinate continuing

• evaluation of campus health program and make changes based on findings.

• Initiate, compile, maintain and file all reports, records and other documents required, including clinic records and accurate and confidential student health records such as immunization records, medication administration records, individual student treatment records and IHPs.

• Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of State Health Services rule, State Board of Education rule and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.

• Report potential health and safety hazards to principal.

• Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned.

Professional Development

Maintain professional nursing skills and knowledge as required by the Texas Nurse Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise, train and participate in evaluating LVNs, unlicensed diabetes care     

assistants and other unlicensed assistive personnel or other school personnel as

designated by the campus principal to have responsibility for assisting students with       

health needs.

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard Medical clinic equipment including automated external defibrillator (AED), audiometer and vision screening equipment; special needs adaptive equipment; standard office equipment including computer and peripherals.

Posture: Frequent standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing pulling and twisting.

Motion: Frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension

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; controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students

Environment: Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria and communicable diseases

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

*Definition of school nurse based on the Texas Administrative Code

Commissioner’s Rules – Texas Administrative Code, Section 153, §153.CC.

(D) A school nurse is an educator employed to provide full-time nursing and health care services and who meets all the requirements to practice as a registered nurse (RN) pursuant to the Nursing Practice Act and the rules and regulations relating to professional nurse education, licensure, and practice and has been issued a license to practice professional nursing in Texas

Salary : $110