Nurse on Special Assignment (NOSA)/Nurse Mentor

REPORTS TO: School Health Services Administrator

POSITION PURPOSE: To provide mentoring and support to MESD registered nurses and school health assistants (SHAs), including orientation to these roles and to the School Health Services (SHS) Department. 

NATURE AND SCOPE: This position is subject to Board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable State and Federal statutes. This position carries no administrative authority or responsibility. 

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES: 

1. Develop and maintain trust among co-workers through honesty and fairness. 
2. Communicate in an inclusive and collaborative manner. 
3. Support the mission, vision and values of MESD. 
4. Be respectful, caring and courageous. 
5. Be a team player by actively particiapting in projects. 
6. Be involved in, and supportive of continuous overall improvement of MESD. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a lead position which requires providing direction and coaching methods in an environment that is participatory and supportive, assessing employee progress, and offering constructive feedback regarding employee growth and performance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide training and support to new nurses and school health assistants (SHAs), and to identified department staff, adjusting allocated time as determined by individual needs, progress, and experience.
2. Participate in new staff orientation, including electronic documentation systems and database training.
3. Assist in developing and implementing a skills development checklist for new nurses and SHAs. 
4. Participate in evaluating job performance and a process to assess and improve the position's effectiveness.
5. Provide mentoring around roles and responsibilities of the nurse and the SHA in the school setting, including health room management, presentations and training, and participation in school meetings, committees, and wellness activities. 
6. Conduct health education classes, first aid training, communicable disease event management, and triaging of exposure calls in collaboration with the department nurse consultant.
7. Provide guidance regarding department policies and procedures, development of the student individual health care plan, conducting initial and review delegations. 
8. Provide feedback to nurses and serve as liaison between staff, complex needs nurses, nurse consultant, and department administration.
9. Accept responsibility and model professionalism and integrity in interactions with school staff, families, peers, and community partners. 
10. Maintain exemplary work standards and regular, timely attendance.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS: 

1. Perform other job-related duties as assigned by Director/Coordinator, including attendance at work-related meetings and participation at school or community health-related events.
2. Provide support to staff in a variety of school settings in multiple districts.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Strong understanding of department policies, procedures, and applicable laws related to nursing practice, regulations, and standards. 
2. Effective interpersonal and relational skills, including written and verbal communication and management of stressful or conflicted situations.
3. Ability to multi-task and work independently with high accuracy, efficiency, and attention to detail.
4. Strong computer skills, including nursing documentation, Google Tools, and utilization of databases.
5. Flexibility and willingness to understand and support nurses with varying caseload sizes, school locations, and district models.
6. Strong understanding of case management and assisting families in accessing community resources.
7. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written directives.
8. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
9. Exemplary work history, with regular and timely attendance.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Mobility:  Frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting; and driving to locations.
2. Lifting:  Frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.
3. Vision:  Constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
4. Dexterity:  frequent use of keyboard; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
5. Hearing/Talking:  frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the telephone.
6. Emotional/Psychological:  frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or co-worker contact; occasional working alone; and may work with a high-stress student, family, and/or personal situations.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum 3 years experience as a registered nurse at MESD, working in a variety of districts and settings. 
2. Proficient in computer systems, including daily nursing documentation and development of school health management plans.
3. Valid driver’s license and vehicle available for use.