Nature of Work

School nursing, a specialized practice of nursing, protects and promotes student health, facilitates optimal development, and advances academic success. The school nurse serves in the roles of program manager/coordinator, case manager/direct care provider, collaborator/advocate, educator, and counselor for the (school district) in assigned schools.

Qualifications:

• Must be registered and licensed within the state of NC and maintain appropriate licensure for Registered Nurse by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
• Registered nurse with a BSN working toward National School Nurse Certification is recommended but not required.
• Must obtain and maintain certification in CPR/AED/First Aid.
• Function in a directed manner within the NCBON RN scope of practice.
• Good communication and nursing assessment skills. Proficient with computers. Ability to collaborate with team members.

Duties and Responsibilities: ·

The school nurse serves: All schools depending on the Nurse to Student ratio in the Lee County Schools District The complex role of the school nurse demands, but is not limited to, an understanding and knowledge of:

• Pediatric/Adolescent Nursing
• Public Health/Community Health Nursing
• Health counseling, mental health, and crisis intervention
• Knowledge of communicable disease control in the school, including monitoring, surveillance, and participating in disease prevention and outbreak management within the school
• Applicable laws, regulations, and standards pertaining to the school nursing practice
• Case finding, case management, and health advocacy
• Program management, and delegation, including personnel supervision of LPNs, School Health Assistants, CNA2, and UAP
• Family theory, assessment and intervention
• Ethnic and cultural sensitivity and competence
• Contemporary health and psychosocial issues that influence children, families, and the community and the school as a non-traditional healthcare setting
• Healthcare delivery systems and the concepts of primary health care
• Building student, staff, and family capacity for adaptation, self-management, self-advocacy, and learning

Skills related to this important role include the ability to:

• Provides first-aid care, emergency care, and medically prescribed services and supervises non-licensed personnel who also provide health-related services
• Development of emergency action plans for students at risk of medical crises at school or during a school function
• Development, implementation, and monitoring of individual health care plans (IHPs) for students who need invasive procedures performed during the school day
• Work in collaboration with the Director of Programs for Exceptional Children and medical providers to coordinate health services for children with Special Needs and Section 504-eligible students
• Provides staff development on health-related topics for school staff, monitors staff that provide health services, including delegated procedures, the administration of medication to students, and other health-related mandated activities
• Coordinates the establishment of guidelines, procedures, and training in the First Aid/CPR/First Responder Program for schools and staff
• Provide health screenings for students and staff as needed
• Conducts home visits when appropriate
• Corresponds with parents on the health needs of students (verbal and written)
• Record and documentation of immunizations, health findings, and other relevant health data
• Maximize the quantity of in-class time by reducing the incidence of health-related absenteeism
• Monitor compliance of school health programs with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies
• Manages school health services
• Make referrals to appropriate agencies in accordance with identified student needs and assist parents in obtaining professional services for students