Siloam Springs School District

School Nurse

JOB TITLE: School Nurse

QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Licensed as Registered Nurse in the state of Arkansas

2. Graduate from an accredited school of nursing

3. Maintains current CPR certification and First Aid Training.

CONTRACT 190 day, Salary based on Approved Salary Schedule.

EVALUATOR: Director of Nursing and Building Principal

JOB OBJECTIVES: To enhance the educational process of children and youth by assisting them to improve or adapt to their health status. To provide coordinated, comprehensive health services to the students within the school system and to advocate and facilitate conditions that promote optimal physical, mental, and emotional health for children, families, and the community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Works alongside the full time building nurse in highest acuity areas.

1. Applies appropriate theory as basis for decision making in nursing practice.
2. Assists building nurses in establishing and maintaining a comprehensive school health program.
3. Consults with school administration to establish, review, and revise policy and procedures
   1. Emergency procedures
   2. Medication administration protocols
   3. Safety measures and programs
   4. Student/personnel health services
   5. Health education
4. Supervises designated school personnel in the proper administering of first aid and medications.
5. Assists with in-service programs for school personnel for first aid, emergency care, and current health issues.
6. Adheres to the district’s policies and procedures.
7. Demonstrates regular and prompt attendance.
8. Regularly checks and maintains district AEDs.
9. Establishes processes to identify students at risk for physical and psychosocial problems and communicates needs to other school personnel.
10. Uses the data management system to plan and evaluate the comprehensive school health program to monitor the health of the school population.
11. Collaborates with school administration and counsellors in assessing and improving the social and emotional climate of schools and classrooms
12. Conducts screening programs for students at designated grade levels: Vision, Hearing, Scoliosis, Pediculosis, Growth and Development.
13. Assesses health care needs of students and families.
14. Implements appropriate nursing measures to meet identified health needs of students.
15. Administers first aid in accordance with American Red Cross and National Association of School Nurses guidelines.
16. Serves as a resource person for faculty, parents, students and community in health education.
17. Presents to students in the classroom, if requested, health information which is age specific to the health and safety needs of a particular age group or specific individual group of students, to include tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and puberty education.
18. Participates in in-service training programs and other programs designed to promote professional growth.
19. Serves as an agent in the control and prevention of communicable disease.
20. Authorizes exclusion and readmission of students in connection with communicable diseases and conditions.
21. Dispenses medication according to Physicians orders and school policy.
22. Appraises and identifies student health problems and encourages their correction by working with students, parents, teachers, and administrators.
23. Develops Individual Health Care Plans for students with health concerns.
24. Provides health counseling to students, parents and school personnel.
25. Maintains current immunization records on all students.
26. Interprets medical reports and contacts physician for clarification of the students’ medical needs while at school.
27. Acts as liaison between physician and community agencies for illnesses and social problems that affect attendance at school.
28. Interprets school health policies to parents and others in the community.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attends staff meetings as assigned.
2. Demonstrates a working knowledge of ARKIDS guidelines for school health services.
3. Continually strives to improve knowledge within the field.
4. Performs other similar or related duties as requested or assigned.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assumes responsibility for professional growth, continuing education, and maintaining current licensure
2. Participates in professional organizations and community groups concerned with improving the quality of children’s health.
3. Functions with confidence, maintaining the highest standards of nursing ethics and practice.

The School Nurse assigned to the highest acuity areas will also:

1. Serve as the building nurse for Main Street Academy with regular weekly office hours as needed.
2. Develop a schedule, with the Director of Nursing, based on the highest acuity and daily medical procedures needed in each school health office. This schedule requires flexibility and adaptability.
3. Work as primary building nurse during absences or times that building nurse needs to be in a classroom.
4. Provide district coverage when the Director of Nursing is absent or in meetings.
5. Assist building nurses to meet deadlines for documentation, communication and follow up with parents/guardians.
6. Assist Director of Nursing with mandated screenings.
7. Assist with CPR class planning and instruction.
8. Assist with ordering supplies and distribution as needed.
9. Collaborate with the Director of Nursing and building nurses to continually improve our health office procedures and support all aspects of health for students and staff.
10. Other duties as assigned.