Lead Nurse (RPS Internal Candidates ONLY)

*****This position is open to RPS INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY*****

Job Title: Lead Nurse
Grade Level/Terms of Employment: Pay Grade Grade 123.1, 201-Day Contract (5% extra duty stipend)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Work Location: School-Based
Immediate Supervisor: School Nurse Specialists

General Description:
The Lead Nurse supports school health personnel in quality improvement to enhance the delivery of school health services. In addition to assigned clinic duties, the Lead Nurse position supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive school health program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage and evaluate a team of school-based nursing staff inclusive of LPNs, RNs, and CNAs.
• Assists the Nurse Manager and Nurse Specialists, along with the school health education committee, and administrators in developing an effective school health program.
• Supports the implementation of high-quality school nursing and school health services to meet the health and wellness needs of RPS students.
• Assists assigned staff with quality improvement to enhance health-related outcomes for students; orients, trains, and mentors assigned nursing staff to implement appropriate health services, protocols, and practices in the school setting, including the implementation of communicable disease prevention and infection control measures based on current guidelines.
• Supports the development and implementation of a comprehensive professional development program for school health services staff.
• Leads team enrollment initiatives by ensuring student immunization compliance.
• Conducts team surveillance and communicates any skill-building needs to nurse specialists for professional development planning.
• Provides clinical consultation and support to assigned nursing staff, and other administrative and school-based staff.
• Participates in the work of the health education committee and serves as a health education resource person to staff and students.
• Prepares and distributes health topic bulletins to students, staff members, and parents.
• Conducts school programs of immunizations, physical examinations, and vision and hearing testing as directed by the Nurse Manager.
• Conducts medical case finding, screening, and referral activities related to health defects of selected students.
• Observe students on a regular basis to detect health needs.
• Maintains up-to-date cumulative health records on all students.
• Refers to parents of pupils needing medical care to appropriate private or community resources.
• Reports to parents, school personnel, physicians, clinics, and other agencies on student health matters, as directed by the Nurse Manager.
• Provides emergency nursing services for sick or injured students at school.
• Notifies parents of students about illnesses, physical defects, and potential health problems and provides health counseling.
• Assumes authority, in the absence of a physician, for the care of a student or staff member who has suffered an injury or emergency illness.
• Administers first aid in accordance with established first aid procedures.
• Implements Board policy on exclusion and readmission of students in connection with infectious and contagious diseases.
• Prepares mandated health and developmental workups and updates on all special education students as assigned.
• Provides appropriate follow-through with special education students, parents, and staff and apprises the IEP team of medical problems of special education students as assigned.
• Assists with verification of selected student absences by home or telephone contacts with parents.
• Plan and facilitate professional learning for school-based nurses.
• Assists school personnel in maintaining sanitary standards in schools and the identification and correction of safety and health hazards in schools.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

 Qualifications:

• Valid license as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.
• National Board Certification in School Nursing preferred.
• At least 3 years of school nurse experience preferred.
• Experience supervising school nurses and unlicensed assistive personnel preferred.
• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals certification.
• Knowledge of human growth and development, with emphasis on childhood and adolescence.
• Demonstrated ability in health services program assessment, evaluation, development, and improvement.
• Excellent communication skills (oral and written).
• Ability to work effectively with students, families, teachers, and school administrators.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the coordination of health care service delivery, related service providers, community agencies, and other resource providers; understanding of public school nursing procedures and policies preferred.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and effectively handle multiple assignments.
• Ability to work independently with strong organizational skills and attention to detail in the documentation.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet, and email applications preferred.
• Bilingual/fluency in Spanish preferred.

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access the website at: www.rvaschools.net

Please upload the following information with your application: a current resume, transcript, and license if applicable. Three references names and contact information will be required if you progress to the interview step of the selection process. Richmond Public Schools will conduct a background investigation, fingerprinting, and tuberculosis screening as a condition of employment. EOE.

Salary : $61,791 - $95,027