Must have a NMPED Nursing license

SUMMARY:

The major focus of school nursing services is the prevention of illness and disability and the early detection and correction of health problems.  The school nurse promotes and protects the health status of students and staff through functions in the areas of health services, health education, and maintaining a healthy environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Other duties may be assigned.

Health Services

• Provides health assessments:

Obtains a health history

Screens and evaluates vision, hearing, scoliosis

Observes students as required for development and health patterns/concerns

Screens and counsels employees regarding workman’s compensation process

• Develops and implements health plans and procedures:

Maintains a confidential cumulative health record for each student

Interprets the health status of students to parents and school personnel

Initiates and follows referrals for intervention and/or remediation

Plans and implements health management protocols and modification of school programs and environment

Participates as the health specialist on student evaluation teams

• Provides direct nursing intervention:

Administers appropriate level of first aid for illness and injury, including CPR

Provides crisis intervention for emotional/physical disturbances

Administers/supervises medication and monitors the effects

Provides individual health counseling concerning high risk behaviors

Performs skilled nursing functions

Health Education

• Provides health education for students, staff, and parents:

Coordinates and participates in student support groups and activities

Promotes and interprets health careers

Teaches health topics as outlined in the health education curriculum

Provides staff with in-service training programs on health related issues

• Serves as a resource person in health education:

Participates in health curriculum planning and evaluations

Recommends provisions for a safe, healthy school environment

Healthy School Environment

• Serves on school committees to develop and implement safety programs
• Compiles and analyzes data on injuries in the school setting
• Promotes and assists in control of communicable diseases
• Ensures that each student complies with the immunization requirements of the state of New Mexico
• Administers influenza vaccinations for staff upon request and TB skin tests as required by the state of New Mexico
• Confirms that students have medical emergency cards on file
• Coordinates and participates in wellness projects

Duties Specific to Secondary Level

• Maintains current athletic physicals

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Health Clerk (high school and middle school level only)

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• B.S. in nursing or B.S. degree in a health related field.  A minimum of two years working experience in a clinical area of professional nursing with experience in school nursing desirable.
• School Nurse License from New Mexico Public Education Department
• CPR Certification required
• First Aid Certification required
• Ability to work with people in high stress situations

LANGUAGE SKILLS: 

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of administrators, staff and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.  Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Demonstrated ability to utilize technology for implementing, maintaining, and evaluating a comprehensive prevention program.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community; ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written or oral communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally sit, walk or stand.  The employee will occasionally reach forward or above the head more than the average person.  Ability to visit various buildings in the District.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move and push up to 90 pounds such as students and students in wheelchairs.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable 

accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person.  The employee is directly responsible for the safety and well being of students.

The information contained in this description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.

Salary : $4,000 - $79,483