26-27 School Nurse - Substitute

Position Summary

The substitute school nurse will perform professional nursing duties consistent with Massachusetts guidelines, regulations and statutes governing nursing, school health, and local district policy.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

The essential functions or responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Identifies specific medical needs relating to the particular health status of the student(s) and facilitates appropriate management for the student(s) in the school setting, and secures additional services as needed.
• Triages students to provide appropriate medical intervention, and follow up care.
• Monitors student(s) referred for illness/and or injury for the purpose of attending to their immediate health care concerns and initiating follow-up care.
• Provides care to students with chronic illnesses and high-risk students (e.g. allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, medically fragile, etc.) for the purpose of assisting the child in achieving their highest possible functioning level.
• Assesses situations involving students’ safety, abuse (physical, sexual, drug, etc.) and other health related issues for the purpose of identifying problems, referring for proper treatment, and complying with legal requirements.
• Performs skilled nursing procedures and/or is willing to be trained in insulin administration, catheterizations, suctioning, trach care, gastrostomy tube feedings, and nebulizer treatments to ensure the health and safety of the students.
• Administers first aid, medication and specialized medical treatments for the purpose of providing appropriate care for the ill, medically fragile and/or injured children in accordance with state laws and district policies.
• Documents all clinical visits, medical and/or information changes thoroughly and professionally to ensure accuracy in the school health record and continuity of care for the student.
• Maintains students’ confidential records (e.g. immunization records, health care plans, accident reports, agency referrals, etc.) for the purpose of reporting and complying with legal requirements.
• Assists in the prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• Other nursing/health related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills

• Active/Current license as a registered nurse with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Associate's degree in Nursing.
• Current CPR certification.
• Ability to work with people and communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Those with Bilingual and/or multilingual skills are encouraged to apply.
• Experience caring for students with special health care needs is preferred.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the position’s essential functions. 

Physical Skills:

• Few physical demands are required to perform the work.
• Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of stooping, walking, and standing.
• Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations. 

Motor Skills:

• Duties are largely mental rather than physical, but the position may occasionally require minimal motor skills for activities such as operating a telephone, personal computer, and/or most other office equipment including word processing, filing, and sorting of papers.

Visual Skills: 

• Visual demands require constantly reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.

Reporting Relationships

• Position Reports to: The Director of School Health Services or designee

Terms of Employment

Assuming you are available for substitute nurse assignments, our need for substitutes will vary from day-to-day and week-to-week and, as such, we cannot guarantee work each day. Employment in this regard is therefore not applicable under the provisions of Chapter 71, Section 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws pertaining to tenure of teachers and school nurses.  In any event, we can provide you with reasonable assurance of employment as an intermittent substitute school nurse during the forthcoming year.

• Position Type: Intermittent / On Call
• Schedule: September - August (available assignments are based on an extended school year)
• FLSA Classification: Non Exempt
• $50 per hour / Maximum of 19 hours per week
• Union Status: non-Union

The Somerville Public Schools does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, home status, marital/civil union status, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status, place of birth, national origin, ancestry, cultural identity, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.