School Nurse

Job Description Title:School Nurse Reports To: Principal and Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Evaluated By: Principal Definition of School Nursing: School Nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning. (National Association of School Nurses, 1999) Qualifications: Current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in Massachusetts (M.G.L. c. 71, s.53). A baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Must meet or be eligible to meet the certification requirements as developed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Current certification in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and AED. 1 to 3 years experience in school, pediatric or public health nursing. Job Goal: To enhance the educational process of students by the modification or removal of health-related barriers to learning and by promotion of an optimal level of wellness to both students and staff. Job Responsibilities: Manages a comprehensive school health program consistent with the Massachusetts guidelines, regulations and statutes governing nursing and school health. Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs (vision, hearing, postural, etc.) Promotes positive safety practices both within and outside of school buildings. Maintains current information in a comprehensive school health records for each student based on nursing assessment and medical information, using web-based program. Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions, prevention of bloodborne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal. Provides medically prescribed interventions, including medication administration (based on state regulations) and provides care to ill children on a daily basis. Provides first aid to injured children and staff and triage to appropriate health care providers. Provides formal health education and instruction to children within classrooms, under direction of Principal. Is a member of the special education evaluation team and as such attends team consultation meetings, makes home visits as needed, attends IEP meetings and collaborates with other team members. Is a member of the Crisis Intervention Team. Is a member of the district Health & Wellness committee. Using the nursing process, collaborates with the parent/guardian and student, when appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student. Maintains a daily record of all nurses’ office visits and activities using web-based program. Documents the administration of all medications in accordance with school medication policy and state regulations. Provides health education to students, families and school personnel to empower them to make informed decisions for optimum wellness. Attends continuing education activities related to current clinical knowledge and professional issues. Provides training to staff members, including, but not necessarily limited to Epi-Pen training, universal health precautions, basic first aid, etc. Adheres to various regulations related to confidentiality of information. Other nursing duties as assigned. FLSA Status: Exempt Physical Requirements: 1. Mobility and Movement Standing and Walking: Ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods (up to 6-8 hours per day) to instruct students, circulate the classroom, monitor hallways, and supervise recess/lunch. Reaching and Lifting: Ability to reach overhead, above the shoulders, and horizontally to access and arrange teaching materials, whiteboards, or bulletin boards. Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds (e.g., boxes of books, educational supplies, or technology equipment) on an occasional basis. Bending and Kneeling: Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit on the floor frequently to interact with students at their level, assist with classroom activities, and manage behavior. Repetitive Motion: Use of hands and fingers for keyboarding, writing, grading, and manipulating materials. 2. Sensory Requirements Visual Acuity: Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus (e.g., to read student work, observe students across a classroom, and monitor computer screens). Hearing Acuity: Ability to hear and understand spoken directions at a conversational level, as well as the ability to distinguish and interpret sounds (e.g., a whisper, fire alarm, or distress calls from students) in a noisy environment. Speaking/Verbal Communication: Ability to clearly articulate verbal information to students, parents, and colleagues, including the ability to project one's voice in a classroom or auditorium setting. 3. Stamina and Duration Sustained Energy: Ability to maintain a high level of energy and mental alertness throughout the entire school day, managing the physical and mental demands of teaching. Sitting: Ability to sit for moderate periods to complete administrative tasks, planning, grading, or conduct small group instruction. 4. Safety and Emergency Management Quick Response: Ability to physically respond quickly to emergencies, safety concerns, or unexpected physical demands (e.g., intervening in a student dispute, assisting an injured student, or performing emergency evacuation procedures). Pushing/Pulling: Ability to push or pull classroom furniture or equipment as needed. Salary Scale: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fQwPvODj1cQXzLi0zVNUyLTavwRyCJkLzf1_9kI3RDU/edit?usp=sharing