Bulletin 2561 School Nurse

BRAINTREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Job Description

Title: School Nurse

The school nurse is an integral part of the professional team, acting as an
advocate for students to help them develop to their full potential. This registered nurse
seeks to prevent and identify student health or health related problems, and intervenes
to modify or remedy the problem. The school nurse oversees the comprehensive
school health program, which includes delivery of health care and health education of
students, staff, and families. The nurse works within the scope of the Nurse Practice
Act according to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

Scope of Responsibilities:
The school nurse is responsible for developing; implementing and managing a
school health program for a school population as defined by the school district.
Responsibilities include program management, nursing services, collaboration, health
education, community health planning and professional practice. The school nurse can
be called upon to cover other district health offices as needed at the discretion of the
Director of School Nursing Services.

Reports To:

The school nurse reports to the Director of School Nursing Services and to the
administrator of the school building. The school physician is available for consultation.

Qualifications:
1. Must have a valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in
Massachusetts;
2. Baccalaureate degree in nursing from a college or university program in
nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing recommended.
Baccalaureate degree in a related field may be acceptable if all other
requirements are met;
3. Minimum of two years of nursing experience in school nursing, community
health or child health prior to entry into school nursing practice;
4. School nurse licensure from the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education;
5. Work towards (and subsequently maintain) certification in school nursing
by a nationally recognized professional nursing organization or obtain a
Master’s degree within 5 years of employment.
6. Basic computer knowledge including WORD, EXCEL and electronic
medical record systems.
7. Completion of an orientation program based on the requirements for
delivery of school health services as defined by the Department of Public
Health.
8. Maintain BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification.

Program Management:

Establishes and manages a comprehensive school health program consistent
with the Massachusetts guidelines, regulations and statutes governing nursing and
school health and local school district policy.

1. Maintains comprehensive school health records
2. Promotes and implements state-mandated programs such as
immunization surveillance and screening programs
3 Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based
on current guidelines for standard/universal precautions, prevention of
bloodborne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal
4. Consults with the nursing director, school physician and school
administrators and others to establish, review and revise policies,
procedures and specific programs for comprehensive school health
education and services
5. Prepares regular written reports for school officials, DPH and/or other
agencies as needed
6. Interprets school health service needs based on data collected and adapt
nursing services as necessary.
7. Collaborates with school administrators and personnel in assessing and
improving the social and emotional climate of students and faculty;
involves them in maintaining a healthful school environment
8. Promotes positive safety practices both within and outside of school
buildings and ensures that the school has a medical emergency plan
which is communicated to personnel and students

Nursing Services:

Using the nursing process, collaborate with the parent/guardian and student,
when appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the
student.

1. Collects information about the health and developmental status of the
student, his/her family and significant others, in a systematic and
continuous manner including health and social histories, screening results,
physical assessment, emotional status, performance level and health
goals, makes home visits as needed
2. Provides emergent and non-emergent care to students and staff; provides
everyday care for children with chronic health conditions; manages
children with communicable disease

3. Administers medication (based on state regulations) and medically
prescribed treatments and provides care to ill children on a daily basis
4. Responds to frequently encountered health issues; provide health
counseling and crisis intervention as needed, (e.g. adolescent pregnancy,
substance abuse, death of a family member, suicide), and responds to
child neglect or abuse concerns (as required by Massachusetts statute)
5. Assesses student response to nursing interventions and revises the
database, nursing diagnoses and nursing care plan, as needed.
Evaluates the progress made toward goal achievement, and documents
this information in student records or confidential nursing notes

Collaboration:

Collaborates with other school professionals, team members and community
providers in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating school health
programs and activities.

Health Education:

Assists students, families and parent groups to achieve optimal levels of wellness
through formal and informal health education and promotion.

Community Health Planning:

Participates with other members of the community to assess, plan, implement
and evaluate school health services and community services which includes the broad
continuum of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.

Professional Practice:

Applies nursing theory for decision-making in the school setting and expands
knowledge and skills in response to student health needs.

1. Demonstrates current knowledge in such areas as
  a. professional issues in school health
  b. school and community health
  c. communicable disease control
  d. growth and development
  e. health assessment
  f. special health conditions, both chronic and acute
  g. injury prevention and emergency care
  h. health counseling, health education and promotion
  i. current adolescent issues and childhood trends/problems
  j. special education laws and section 504

2. Assumes responsibility for continuing own education and professional
development; obtains expert consultation, supervision and peer review as
needed

3. Collaborates with local schools of nursing to provide student practice in
community health, as well as to obtain nursing education resources

Terms of Employment: Ten-month school year. Salary in accordance with
established salary schedule for Braintree School Nurses.

Salary: Salary scale can be found in the BEA Collective Bargaining Agreement's recent MOA: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YaoFdRvNjcM4RHv_WvNHRQzHsPOFrhUh/view

Revised July 2014