School Nurse

HYDE COUNTY SCHOOLS
SCHOOL NURSE
NATURE OF WORK
An employee in this class identifies and treats health disorders among students and provides instruction in maintaining good health and disease prevention. The employee must evaluate the physical conditions of students and refer students to appropriate resources as needed. Decisions made by this employee require discretionary judgment and analysis.
JOB SUMMARY
The School Nurse plays a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of students within the school community. This position combines clinical expertise as a registered nurse with the ability to foster community partnerships that support students' overall health and academic success. The candidate will be responsible for providing healthcare services, health education, and serving as a liaison between the school, families, and community organizations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Healthcare Services

• Assess and address the health needs of students, including administering first aid and medications and managing chronic health conditions.
• Conducts health screenings and maintained accurate health records for students.
• Collaborate with healthcare providers to ensure continuity of care for students with complex health needs.
• Monitor compliance of school health programs with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Records immunizations, health findings, and other relevant health data.
• Healthcare plan development, revision, and evaluation, including Emergency Action Plans, Individual Health Care Plans, and health-related components of Individual Education Programs.
• School staff instruction and supervision in the provision of care for students with special health care needs
• Communicable disease control and outbreak response in schools

Health Education

• Develop and implement health education programs for students, staff, and parents.
• Provide information on nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and other relevant health topics.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions to promote health literacy within the school community.
• Follow all guidelines set out in policy, NCSCOS, and state law to ensure that students and parents have access to appropriate health education

Community Engagement

• Build partnerships with local healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies to enhance students' and families' access to health resources.
• Organize health-related events, workshops, and outreach programs to engage the broader community.
• Collaborate with community stakeholders to address health disparities and promote a culture of wellness.
• Collaborate with parents and guardians to approach education from a whole child standpoint that includes academic, physical, and mental health.

Liaison Duties

• Serve as a liaison between the school, parents, and external health services.
• Communicate health-related information to parents and guardians, promoting a collaborative approach to student health.
• Coordinate with teachers and administrators to address health-related concerns impacting students' academic performance.

Emergency Preparedness

• Develop and implement emergency response plans for health-related incidents within the school.
• Provide training to staff on emergency protocols and ensure the availability of necessary medical supplies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A registered nurse (RN) and national School Nurse certification within three years of the date of hire. The National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) is the only current credentialing agency.
• Experience in pediatric nursing or school nursing is advantageous.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of public health practices and community resources.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is primarily based within the school setting but may involve occasional travel to community events or partner locations.
• Some evening or weekend work may be required for community engagement activities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Must be able to operate various equipment, including computers, nebulizers, adding machines, blood pressure machines, oxygen tanks, suction machines, feeding pumps, etc. Must be able to exert up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 20 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.
• Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics of data, people, or things.
• Requires the ability to read a variety of correspondence, referrals, medical records, newsletters, notes, charts, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, plans, logs, charts, etc.
• Requires the ability to apply logical or scientific thinking principles to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret various technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, explain procedures, and follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using medical terminology.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Thorough knowledge of the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act. Considerable knowledge of emergency and routine medical procedures. Considerable knowledge of health care agencies and institutions in the area.
• Considerable knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in school nursing.
• General knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration. Skill in performing health screenings and medical examinations.
• Ability to perform a variety of emergency medical procedures. Ability to train others in first aid and emergency care.
• Ability to assess the needs of students and develop a plan to meet those needs. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and develop simple reports from those records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Support/Principals
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees in this job.