Pay Grade:                 Nurse Salary System                         

Accountable To:         Principal         

FLSA Status:               Exempt

Calendar:                    208 Days

 

Creation/Revision Date:        January 8, 2024

 

Summary: 

 Under general direction, incumbent provides health care to students, 20% or more of whom have been identified with specialized health care concerns and complex medical needs or recommended by the Superintendent or designee; dispenses medication; implements specialized health care protocols; responds to medical emergencies; treats accidents and illnesses; develops individualized health care plans for students and staff; trains staff about health care concerns, including those specifically related to medically fragile students; serves as a member of a management team to address the academic, social, psychological, and medical needs of individual students; supervises the school’s health care team; performs health screenings; maintains health records; ensures immunizations are current; provides referral information to families; provides classes and information to students and families to promote wellness; and, networks with community agencies and other medical professionals.  This position is distinguished from that of School Nurse due to the broader range of care administered by the Advanced Practice School Nurse, as well as the significantly greater frequency, intensity, and complexity of that care.

 

Essential Functions:

• Dispenses medication and implements specialized health care protocols (e.g. oxygen or ventilator therapies, tracheotomy suctioning, ostomy care, urethral catheterization, dialysis, intravenous feeding, nasal/oral gastric tube feeding, SVN treatments, blood sugar monitoring, etc.) as ordered by a physician.  Keeps documentation on file of all medications on campus and all necessary treatments.  On a case by case basis, develops and maintains detailed care plans for students needing complex health care procedures.
• Provides specialized health care services accidents or illnesses of students and all school personnel including assessing level of care needed and referring patient to doctor if necessary, documenting all accidents/illnesses and completing accident reports according to District procedures.
• Administers daily medications and prescriptions in accordance to District procedures and under the supervision of the Principal, as directed by the physician, and with the parent’s consent.  Maintains accurate records of medications given.
• Coordinates service for medically fragile students, both within and without the school and district; facilitates relationships and maintains ongoing communication with appropriate physicians, health service agencies, and social service agencies.
• Organizes and maintains health room, health records, and emergency notification cards, etc.  Orders and maintains school health and first aid supplies.  Ensures medications are properly stored and secured in locked cabinets.
• Supervises medical support staff as necessary, including LPN and nurse assistant; provides training and delegates responsibility to support staff, and oversees and evaluates their performance.
• Notifies, advises, and updates parents regarding and health care issues and medical problems involving individual and/or all students.
• Acts as a team member in management team meetings by portraying an accurate picture of health and safety issues, providing student health information which may directly affect student performance, and recommending intervention with academic, social or psychological needs.  As appropriate, attends IEP team meetings and is actively involved in managing complex health care plans for IEP students.
• Consults with Principal on matters related to emergency situations, suspected child abuse, contagious diseases, or other medically sensitive situations.
• Provides and presents training to students and staff on health issues such as proper care and cleaning of wounds, HIV/AIDS education, dental care, and sex education.  Assesses audience age level and determines topics appropriate for group.  Trains others to assist with feeding and hygiene procedures for medically fragile students, and educates staff about the care of technological devices.
• Organizes and performs screening procedures for hearing, vision, height, weight, scoliosis, blood pressure and lice.  Maintains health records in compliance with federal and state laws.
• Develops and implements emergency protocols for technology dependent students.  Trains staff in appropriate emergency response procedures.
• Remains current on health issues and changes in laws governing healthcare.  Maintains certification and reviews literature on new health issues. 
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.  This includes attending meetings as coordinated by the Director of Special Services.

Required Qualifications:

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must meet the following required qualifications.  Verification of these required qualifications is necessary.

• Two years of nursing experience;
• Possession of valid Registered Nurse Certificate;
• Possession of valid CPR Certification;

Preferred Qualifications:

It is preferred that applicant possesses the following preferred qualifications; however, the following qualifications are not required to be eligible for this position.

• Master’s degree in Nursing;
• Three years of school nursing experience.
• Possession of valid School Nurse Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing

Knowledge and Skills Required:

To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The qualifications for this job description 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. 

Skills required, but not limited to, for this position include:

• Knowing health and safety laws and regulations;
• Understanding childhood development, including developmental needs related to children with specialized health care concerns;
• Knowing health and safety issues concerning pediatrics, including issues specifically related to children with complex medical needs;
• Utilizing community referral services and agencies;
• Applying screening techniques including hearing, vision, scoliosis, etc.;
• Assessing injuries and illnesses within scope of training;
• Treating injuries and illnesses within scope of training;
• Administering specialized health care within a school setting;
• Employing appropriate transfer and positioning procedures in moving medically fragile students;
• Presenting educational materials;
• Administering medications;
• Maintain paperwork and supplies in an organized manner;
• Engaging and encouraging communication skills while interacting with supervisors, staff, students, etc. to exchange information.

Physical 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 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 is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

 

Working Conditions:

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.

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.

 

The Washington Elementary School District is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Civil Rights Act Title VII of 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Washington Elementary School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify or expression, disability or age in employment or in any of its educational programs or in the provisions of benefits and services to students. For information regarding discrimination grievance or complaint procedures contact the Executive Director for Human Resources at 602.347.2801.