Job Description
Definition
An employee in this class provides one on one health care services (from routine to complex medical situations within the standard practice) to designated students with special needs as outlined within the student's IEP and individualized health care plan. Decisions made by this employee require discretionary judgment and analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Provides comprehensive school nursing services to designated student's Pre-K through grade 12.
• Performs routine and emergency care as outlined within the student's care plan per order provided by a licensed healthcare provider.
• Ensures adequate medications and supplies are maintained in the school clinic and/or the student's "go bag".
• • Documents procedures accordingly and communicates with student's caregivers and Department for Exceptional Children.
• Conducts medical case findings, screenings, and referral activities related to health defects of selected students: observes students on a regular basis to determine health needs.
• Initiates program changes as needed.
• Manages program allotment efficiently.
• Prepares health reports for supervisor, board of education, and health department.
• Collaborates with other child-support agencies in designing and providing a school health program.
• Provides first aid care and medically prescribed services.
• Maintains security of school health supplies.
• Provides staff development on health-related topics for school staff and volunteers.
• Provides follow-up evaluations on students as required.
• Recommends corrective action where problems are identified.
• Conducts home visits when appropriate.
• Corresponds with parents on health needs of children.
• Records immunizations, health findings, and other relevant health data.
• Completes random moment in time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.
• Performs other related work as required.
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 the field of school nursing.
• General knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration.
• Considerable knowledge of growth and development of children Pre-K through 12th grade, common health conditions, and illnesses of the school-age children.
• Skill in performing health screenings and medical examinations.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or composite characteristics of data, people, or things.
• Ability to read a variety of correspondence, referrals, medical records, newsletters, notes, charts, etc.
• Ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, plans, logs, charts, etc.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently using medical terminology.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress.
• 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 complete and accurate records and to develop simple reports from those records.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Minimum Training and Experience
• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Hold current unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina.
• Two years nursing experience preferred.
• BSN prepared nurse working toward national school nurse certification with the stipulation that certification be complete within three years of hire date. Non-compliance will result in loss of school nurse position with Gaston County Schools.
• Successful experience in School Nursing preferred, and/or equivalent combination of education and experience a plus.
Physical Requirements
• Must be able to operate a variety of 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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must possess the visual acuity to prepare data, work with record processes, and do extensive reading and research.
This Position Reports To: Executive Director, Department for Exceptional Children
Classification: Exempt
Salary: Curriculum Support Personnel Salary Schedule (
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.
If offered a position, prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test.
Revised 06/2024 SHuffman