Substitute Nurse

Position Type:
Nurse/Nurse - Elementary School

Date Posted:
3/8/2024

Location:
TBD Location Job Title: School Nurse

Reports to: Director - Health Services/Building Principal

Dept./School: Assigned Campus Date Revised: April 18, 2022

Primary Purpose: To promote student and staff health through the planning and implementation of a school health program which will enable students to take full advantage of educational opportunities. Provide health services to students. Promote health and safety education for students and preventive health practices for students.

Qualifications:
Education/Certification:

• Current license to practice professional nursing in the state of Texas.
• Graduate of an accredited (NLN) school of nursing.
• One/two years nursing experience is preferred in public health nursing, community agency, hospital out-patient clinic or pediatrics.
• Current automatic external defibrillator (AED) and cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificates

Special Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health defects
• Ability to implement policies and procedures
• Knowledge of basic first aid
• Proficient keyboarding and file maintenance skills
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills

Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Nursing Services

1. Work as a member of the professional staff within the framework of the school health program.
2. Provide direct care using professional assessment skills, the nursing process, individualized healthcare plans (IHPs), and established school health protocols. Provide health counseling and instruction to individual students.
3. Assess student problems, communicate with parents regarding individual students, and ensure appropriate referrals and follow up as needed. Serve as a liaison between school personnel, the family, healthcare professionals, and the community.
4. Notify parents of accident or illness. Secure emergency medical care for students as needed.
5. Develop and implement individualized healthcare plans (IHPs) and evaluate outcomes of skilled and direct nursing care and procedures for medically fragile students to ensure safe integration of the student into the school environment.
6. Serve as health advocate for students.
7. Ensure that medications are administered to students according to district policy and procedures.
8. Establish and implement effective procedures for carrying out mandatory screening programs.
9. May make home visits to help with student health problems as necessary.
10. Plan, implement, and evaluate a school health program in compliance with school district philosophy, policies, procedures, and state and federal requirements.
11. Direct delegation of nursing tasks in compliance with state law.
12. Develop a program that assures safe, on-going health care for sick and injured students and staff.
13. Interpret and implement the policies and procedures for the control of communicable diseases.
14. Conduct health screenings and appropriate health assessments and initiate referral and follow-up referral to health needs of students.
15. Serve as a liaison between school, parent, and community to promote health care services to students.
16. Consult and coordinate with other student services and related instructional programs to meet the health-related needs of students.
17. Serve as a health education resource/consultant to the school district community.
18. Maintain up-to-date cumulative health records on all students and provide district reports as requested.
19. Maintain nursing professionalism in compliance with the Standards of School Nursing Practice and the Texas Nurse Practice Act and through self-directed learning activities.
20. Emergencies and special problems may require some travel between schools; therefore, nurse must provide own transportation.

Instruction

1. Participate in development of campus health education curriculum, educate faculty and staff as needed on health-related topics, and provide health education to individuals and groups including contributing to campus communications to parents and the local community regarding health issues.

Consultation

1. Collaborate closely with campus principal and other staff and provide leadership to ensure a healthy school environment. Work to meet the health needs of the general school population and those students with identified health conditions.
2. Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARD) meetings of students with identified health needs and develop Individual Health Plans (IHPs). Work with district personnel regarding implementation of IEP goals and services.
3. Advise campus administration in crisis or emergency situations and participate in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.

Administration

1. Work with District Nurse Manager to develop and coordinate continuing evaluation of campus health program and make changes based on findings. Develop and recommend campus policies and procedures to promote the health and wellness of students and staff.
2. Supervise, train, and participate in evaluating LVNs, unlicensed diabetes care assistants, other unlicensed assistive personnel, or other school personnel who have responsibility for assisting students with health needs.
3. Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records and accurate and confidential student health records such as immunization records, medication administration records, individual student treatment records, and IHPs.
4. Requisition supplies and equipment needed to maintain clinic inventory.
5. Comply with policies established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of Health rule, State Board of Education rule, and board policy. Comply with all district and campus routines and regulations.
6. Report potential health and safety hazards to principal.

Professional Development

1. Maintain professional nursing skills and knowledge as required by the Texas Nurse Practice Act and the Texas Board of Nursing including certification for mandated screenings and Basic Life Support for Healthcare providers (CPR/AED).

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Direct the work of licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and assigned health clinic aide(s). Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Tools/Equipment Used: Standard medical clinic equipment including automated external defibrillator (AED); special needs adaptive equipment; standard office equipment including computer and peripherals
Posture: Frequent standing, sitting, kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing pulling, and twisting
Motion: Frequent walking, grasping/squeezing, wrist flexion/extension
Lifting: Frequent light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and position of students with physical disabilities; controlling behavior through physical restraint, assisting non-ambulatory students
Environment: Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases
Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.

Approved by: Sandra Lieck Date: October 22, 2021

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