School Nurse- Northfield Elementary School

Job Title: SCHOOL NURSE Reports To: Principal or Assistant Principal FLSA Status: Exempt JOB SUMMARY: The school nurse strengthens and facilitates the education process by modifying or removing health related barriers to learning in individual students and promoting an optimal level of wellness for students and staff. The nurse assumes responsibility and accountability for the assessment of the health needs of a student, a plan of action, implementation, and evaluation of the plan. The school nurse is also responsible for the delegation of nursing tasks to a designated person(s) in the school setting. This practice is done in accordance with the accepted standards of nursing as defined by the profession. The school nurse will serve as the direct link between physicians, families and community agencies to assure access and continuity of health care for students. The school nurse will provide tertiary care, relevant instruction, counseling, and guidance to students developing and maintaining strong relationships with both students and their families. The school nurse practices in accordance with the current standards and functions as defined by the Vermont Nurse Practice Act and the Standard of Practice; Vermont School Health Services Manual. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Provider of Student Health Care: ○ Provides mandated screening programs (For example, vision and hearing screening retests and immunization ○ Assist families to obtain student access to medical, dental providers and Medicaid or to other insurance and maintain corresponding records, audits and reports ○ Determine health care needs and provides care to the students within the school ○ Develops, implements, and evaluates health care plans, as part of a team across all school functions ○ Interprets health and development assessments for parents, teachers, administrators and other appropriate professionals ○ Implement safety equipment as required by a student health plan ○ Provides communicable disease control procedures and advises administration and parents regarding school exclusion and re-admittance ○ Provides appropriate assessment and care for students with special healthcare needs ● Coordinator of Student Health Care ○ Compiles and maintains appropriate data records for school and state reporting including immunization records, student health records, daily logs, medication logs, accident reports, annual reports, hearing and vision data, and other data required by the school or state. ○ Provides and documents training of delegated staff and procedures ○ Assist in formulating school and district health policies and procedures ○ Participates with administration in the process of evaluation and goal setting ○ Maintains professional competencies through inservice education activities and/or self-selected professional growth activities ○ Promotes a healthy school environment. Monitors, reports and recommends changes for safety hazards and sanitary conditions in the school environment, at least annually. ● Resources for staff and community for school health issues ○ Use health services as a means of health teaching ○ Provide inservices training to health related issues as indicated ○ Serve as a faculty member in the total school program ○ Provides staff and parents information on current health practices and problems, including identifying displays, bulletin boards, etc. ○ Participates in Support Meetings and/or Student Protection-Assistance Teams at administrative request OTHER PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: ● Consult on work related injuries for referral purposes only, following district protocols for reporting and treatment ● Serve as a site-representative at district and/or SU-wide health meetings ● All other duties assigned PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS: ● Interpersonal Skills. Effectively works with others, including those with opinions or beliefs different from their own. Interacts with others in a friendly, tactful and positive manner. Treats others with dignity and respect. Builds constructive and supportive relationships with peers. Helps to create an inclusive work environment. Attempts to understand others points of view and is open to new ideas. ● Team Player. Contributes to building a positive team spirit. Proven ability to work cooperatively and effectively as part of a team. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with peers, subordinates, supervisors, parents, and outside agencies. ● Organizational/Planning Skills. Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent accuracy & attention to detail. ● Flexibility/Adaptable: High degree of personal adaptability and flexibility; open to and embraces change towards the improvement of the systems. Open to new ideas and tasks without resistance; able to deal with new situations well. Versatile and capable of handling diverse assignments. Able to effectively accept constructive criticism. ● Motivation/Self-Direction: Has a personal drive to succeed. Proven ability to work effectively without specific direction, and with minimal supervision. Driven to identify and implement improvements to systems and practices to increase efficiency and effectiveness. ● Emotional Maturity: Able to effectively handle conflict and stress; able to remain calm and professional when challenged or when others disagree. ● Attitude/Personality/Style: Friendly, helpful and positive disposition; presents a professional image; patient and understanding; takes pride and personal ownership in work; responsive to the needs of others; enthusiastic; good sense of humor; positive outlook and able to see the good in every situation; honest and direct; transparent. ● Attendance/Punctuality: Is consistently at work and on time; ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; arrives at meetings and appointments on time; commits to working overtime when needed to meet deadlines. Follows established leave requesting and reporting protocols. ● Problem Solving Skills: Approaches problems in a positive manner. Views impediments as solvable challenges. Able to identify practical solutions to problems. Able to resolve issues in a fair, equitable and timely manner. ● Organizational Support: Follows district policies and procedures, rules of conduct, and behavior expectations. Promotes/presents a positive image of the school/district. ● Dependability: Follows instructions and responds to management direction; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Takes responsibility for own actions. Completes tasks on time or notifies the appropriate person with an alternate plan. Follow through on commitments. ● Job Knowledge: Demonstrates a working knowledge and understanding in the areas of responsibility. Acquires needed skills and knowledge with little reluctance, continuing to grow knowledge base to remain current with new developments and industry best practices. QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, in addition to the following: ● Education/ Experience: Bachelor’s degree and working knowledge of Vermont’s Framework of Standards required. Recent experience working in a Vermont school district is preferred. Hold a valid license as a Registered Nurse in the State of Vermont. Hold a current first aid certification and/or hands on clinical training for nurses. Have completed an approved educational program based on the requirement for delivery of health services as defined in the Vermont License Standards. ● Certification and Licenses: Hold Vermont Department of Education Level I or Level II license endorsement as a school nurse. Possession of a valid driver’s license. Fingerprint/criminal justice clearance. ● Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to develop and write routine and complex reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with employees, the greater school community, and general public.Have demonstrated experience successfully supporting diverse students, including students of color, English Language Learners, and LGBTQ students. ● Math Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, areas, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. ● Reasoning Skills: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, and schedule form. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information presented in various formats. ● Other Skills and Abilities: Strong communication, computer, and interpersonal skills. Have the ability to learn and utilize new software programs as systems upgrade. Must have above average typing skills (55 wpm). Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in a specific field. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Must be able to keep high levels of confidentiality in all aspects of job performance. Ability to perform duties and awareness of all School District requirements and Board policies. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above, in addition to the following: Under most circumstances, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and sit. The employee is regularly required to see, talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb steps; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift, carry, move and/or restrain school-aged students. Employees are regularly required to handle stressful situations and resolve conflicts. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. WORKING CONDITIONS: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Central Vermont Supervisory Union is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identify, sexual orientation, marital/civil union statu, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who particiapte in an equal opportunity investigation. Our organization is committed to building a diverse team that represents the students we serve. We welcome applications from people of color, people from the LGBTQI community, and people with disabilities. DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.