DEFINITION:

Under the supervision of the Director of Student Services, the School Nurse strengthens and facilitates the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of children.  The nurse does this by identifying and assisting in the removal or modification of health-related barriers to the learning process of individual children.  The major focus of school nursing services is the prevention of illness and disability, and the early detection and correction of health problems.  The school nurse is especially prepared and uniquely qualified in preventative health, health assessment, and referral procedures. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree
• School Nurse Services Credential (or meet requirements for the Preliminary Credential: Baccalaureate or higher degree and RN License issued by the State of California)
• Valid California Driver License

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Nursing
• California School Nurse Audiometrist Certificate
• Public Health Nurse Certificate
• Experience in clinical, public health, or school nursing.

TYPICAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promotes and protects the health of children.
• Obtains health and developmental histories, and screens and evaluates findings of deficit in vision, hearing, dental, growth, and scoliosis.
• Interprets the health status of pupils to parents and school personnel and initiates health-related referrals to parents, school personnel, and community health resources.
• Provides ongoing health assessment and counseling with pupils, parents, school personnel, and health agencies.
• Maintains, evaluates, and interprets cumulative health data to accommodate individual needs of students, parents, and staff.
• Participates as the health specialist on student assessment teams to develop the Individual Education Plan (IEP) for special education students.
• Plans and implements school health management protocols for children with chronic health problems, including the administration of medication.
• Acts as a resources professional in district program planning.
• Represents the health services department at appropriate meetings in the district and community.
• Makes home visits relating to health concerns.
• Develops procedures for crisis interventions relating to acute illness, injury, and emotional disturbances.
• Assists in the control of communicable diseases through preventative immunization programs, early detection, surveillance, and reporting of contagious diseases.
• Completes Medical Billing for covered services.
• Provides medical supervision, training, and assistance to Health Clerks.
• Performs other duties related to the position.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment used in health care practices, assessment, and preventative care.
• CPR methods and procedures.
• Evidence based practice and continuous quality improvement.
• Health services available to students.
• Knowledge of transcultural nursing practices.
• Medi-Cal and Medicaid Administrative billing.
• Medical procedures associated with special health care needs.
• Modern medical terminology, equipment, and techniques.
• Normal health and development as related to pediatric, adolescent, and young adults.
• Prevention services related to students with disabilities.
• Applicable sections of the State Education Code; Local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and requirements as related to assigned activities and/or instructional area.

ABILITY TO:

• Establish and maintain productive collaborative relationships with others.
• Administer CPR/AED emergency treatment, as needed.
• Plan, organize, identify, and provide health services to students.
• Analyze and evaluate situations accurately and adopt effective course of action.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Drive a vehicle to conduct work.
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain consistent, reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with federal, state, and local standards.
• Perform duties and responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.
• Safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Respond quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Attend meetings at various sites and locations.
• Work confidentially and with discretion.
• Work independently with little direction.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

• Speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
• Hearing with or without use of hearing aid(s) sufficient to hear any conversation with others; understandable voice and speech patterns.
• Manual dexterity and coordination sufficient to operate office and/or classroom equipment.
• Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching, climb and/or balance.
• Eyesight corrected or uncorrected sufficient to read a variety of materials including but not limited to fine print.
• Regularly sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and must regularly lift 10-15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move 20-40 pounds.
• Driving a vehicle to conduct work.
• May require to correctly transfer or restrain a child physically, if needed.