SCHOOL NURSE(District Pre-K)

Classification: Certified                                                                                                         Location: Assigned School

Reports to: School Principal                                                                                                 FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: Ancillary  0.5(FTE) Days and Hours TBD

An Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) required, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) preferred. 

Position Summary:

Coordinates and delivers a school health program including the delivery of services to students and staff members to enhance health and wellness in the school community. Duties are performed in accordance with standards of professional school nurse practice, district/state board of education policies and procedures and state law regarding nurse practice.

Primary responsibility shall include student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare. Nurse may work in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational, individual or team settings. Nurse may rotate among several schools.

Supervision:

The nurse works with an elevated level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator. The nurse’s work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.

Duties and Responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. As a School Nurse may provide any or all the following:
   1. Develops and administers a coordinated school health program.
   2. Collects and analyzes epidemiological and other school health information and makes recommendations based upon statistical data.
   3. Establishes an accident/injury prevention program to facilitate school safety.
   4. Implements the Bloodborne Pathogen Control Plan and other interventions as indicated.
   5. Establishes a communicable disease prevention and control program in cooperation with local and state public health agencies.
   6. Manages school health records in accordance with state and district requirements, providing efficient retrieval of information and other related archival responsibilities.
   7. Establishes and manages health screening programs according to state mandates and guidelines.
   8. Participates in the development of health-related policies and procedures in compliance with current health practices.
   9. Participates as a member of the curriculum committee as a resource and specialist in health issues.
   10. Provides staff in-service programs on health topics including blood borne pathogens and the district exposure control plan.
   11. Provides health related classroom instruction.
   12. Provides and/or delegates direct professional nursing services, first aid, illness, and emergency care to students and staff including nursing assessments, identifying health problems, making referrals for diagnosis and treatment, recommending educational modifications, providing follow-up, and evaluation and maintaining appropriate documentation.
   13. Provides health information and counseling for students, parents, and staff.
   14. Develops a medication protocol to safely store, administer, document, and monitor the effectiveness of medications given at school.
   15. Supervises and/or provides screening and follow up for deficits in vision, hearing, growth, and development, and other physical deficits.
   16. Maintains accurate medical records to assure compliance with state mandates including immunizations, physical examinations, and medical conditions.
   17. Participates as crisis team member and provides crisis intervention for students and staff in the advent of sudden illness or injury.
   18. Makes appropriate assessments and referrals for suspected abuse/neglect as a mandated reporter.
   19. Maintains a user friendly and organized health services facility conductive to confidential communication and service.
   20. Maintains communication with administrators, teachers, other school personnel, and parents/guardians to enhance cooperative action, which will meet the health and safety needs of students.
   21. Initiates contact with and acts as a liaison between the home, school, community health agencies, and private medical sector to enhance the health and wellness of the school community.
   22. Maintains confidentiality regarding all school and health-related issues.
   23. Recommends modifications of the school program for students who require accommodation due to a health deficit.
   24. Develops and maintains current health care plans for students who need special nursing interventions during the school day.
2. In performing the above duties, works collaboratively in a professional learning community with other teachers, support staff, and others as appropriate, in addressing the needs of students, developing, and implementing best practices.
3. Actively participates in faculty and grade level or department meetings, assist building effort to plan, budget, implement, and evaluate the school’s program and to do related work as required. In fulfilling these responsibilities, follows school policy and procedures, standard practices, and approved curriculum, and will actively and positively support the school vision.
4. Is constantly observant of the needs and challenges of students and promptly engages administrator or appropriate educational staff associates when there is a reason to suspect or reasonably believe that a student is at risk or in danger due to such issues as bullying, sexual harassment/misconduct, depression, or suicide ideation, or academic failure. The teacher serves as a positive role model for students and practices the behaviors that are expected of students.
5. Assists in the supervision of students at school activities and events. Remains vigilant of students throughout the school day and the school location, taking the initiative to engage students when students are acting inappropriately or in inappropriate locations for the time of day.
6. Establishes a professional growth plan and annually reviews the plan and progress with the administrator.
7. Required to follow Board Policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
8. Performs other duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid Certification issued by NM PED.
• Bachelor’s Degree
• Licensed in the state of New Mexico as a registered nurse.
• Possess basic public health preparation and field experience.
• Ability to understand procedures and functions in a school system about the special part health services play in the overall education of the student.
• Prior experience in public health or public-school nursing or pediatric nursing is desirable.
• Experience in health education in personal safety, nutrition, personal hygiene, AIDS education, and/or drug/alcohol/tobacco training is desirable.
• Must possess a valid New Mexico State driver’s license.
• Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents, district staff, and community members who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse.
• Ability to effectively communicate with parents, students, and staff verbally and in writing.
• Commitment to collaboration and teaming and effectiveness in working within a professional learning community.
• Evidence of continuous professional learning and commitment to participate in professional growth opportunities and self-reflection on professional practice.

Desired Qualification:

• Bilingual Skills
• Successful experience teaching in a diverse student environment.

Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

• The physical demands and work environment described here and representative of those that must be met by a nurse successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.
• While performing the duties of this job, the nurse is frequently required to sit, move about, hear, and speak, and be visually observant of classroom behavior and learning activities.
• The nurse must regularly lift carry items weighing up to 50 lbs. or more and occasionally lift, restrain, or move up to 100 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, or consistent with the subject being taught, but can be abnormally loud on occasion.
• While performing the duties of his job, the nurse may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals commonly used in instruction and/or cleaning. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during their duties. The nurse may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.