LPN–Hospital Education Program School Nurse

General Description:

The Richmond Hospital Education Program (RHEP) is a State Operated Program funded to provide educational services to students hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU.  The RHEP provides in-patient educational services, serving students in grades PK-12 including post-graduates.  The HEP School Nurse will serve as part of an educational team who supports students in accessing their educational program within the hospital setting.  The School Nurse is responsible for providing compassionate care and professional expertise for patients with complex health and medical needs in an acute care hospital setting at Children’s Hospital of Richmond - Northside Brook Road campus.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists Children’s Hospital of Richmond (CHoR), Brook Road Campus nursing staff to support the Hospital Education Program (HEP) students with multiple disabilities daily in the Education Department
• Understands the philosophy of school nursing from the perspective of special education, VDOE school health guidelines as well as local school board policies.
• Observes HEP students throughout the instructional day to detect health needs/emergencies; reports to Children’s Hospital staff, personnel, physicians, clinics, and/or other agencies on student health matters or concerns as noted
• Provides daily routine care including suctioning, positioning, adjusting braces (AFOs), troubleshooting feeding tubes, etc.
• Monitors mechanical ventilators and adjusts lower-level oxygen as needed
• Responds appropriately to pulse-oximeter equipment alarms and seizure activity
• Assists in transport of students up and down ramps to and from the school setting
• Receives and shares accurate reports on the status of students throughout the day
• Communicates student comfort, safety and personal needs with assigned unit nurse
• Immediately reports any mechanical or electrical equipment malfunctions, unsafe conditions, etc. to designated medical staff and school administrators
• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with hospital and departmental policies and procedures
• Maintains an up-to-date Nursing Log for all students in the Student Data Management System
• Assumes authority, in the absence of CHoR staff or physicians, for the immediate care and assistance of a student or staff member who has suffered an injury or emergency.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned
• Participates in in-service training programs
• Assists school personnel in maintaining sanitary standards in the Education Department and the identification and correction of safety and health hazards
• Adheres to all policies, procedures, and practices of the VCU Health System related to nursing support and services delivered, protocols, and requirements
• Work requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, lifting/repositioning up to 50 pounds, vocal communication for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing to perceive information at a normal spoken word level and visual acuity for preparing and analyzing written or computer data

Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a program leading to a Practical Nurse License required; Bachelor of Science in nursing preferred
• Valid Virginia Licensed Practical Nurse
• Experience with mechanical ventilators, tracheostomies, g-tubes and acute care practices
• Excellent oral, written communications, organizational and public relations skills
• Ability to work effectively with children, young adults, families, teachers, medical professionals, CHoR nursing staff, VCUHS nursing staff, and school administrators
• Understanding of public-school education procedures and policies
• Comprehensive knowledge of the coordination of health care service delivery, related service providers, and community agencies and other resource providers
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and effectively handle multiple assignments simultaneously under minimum on-site supervision.
• Experience with window-based computers; experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), internet, and email applications preferred
• Bilingual skills to include Spanish are a plus. 

HOW TO APPLY: All applicants (including RPS employees) must submit an online application. Please access 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.

START DATE: Based on School Board approval

Salary : $48,915 - $75,222