FALL RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS

POSITION:    SCHOOL NURSE

JOB DESCRIPTION:           

The School Nurse is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a school health program for a school population as defined by the school district.  Responsibilities include program management, nursing services, collaboration, health education, community health planning, and professional practice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have a current Massachusetts license to practice as a Registered Nurse.
• Hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in nursing or School Nurse Certification from the Massachusetts Department of Education.
• A minimum of two years of supervised nursing experience in community health or child health prior to entry into school nursing practice.
• Work toward (and subsequently maintain) certification in school nursing from the Massachusetts Department of Education.              .
• Maintains certification in CPR/AED and First Aid from a recognized provider, e.g. American Heart Association.

REPORTS TO:   The school nurse reports to and works under the supervision of the Nursing Supervisor. While working within a school, the school nurse is also under the supervision of that school’s principal.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

Establishes and manages a comprehensive school health program consistent with the Massachusetts guidelines, regulations, and statutes governing nursing, school health, and local school district policy.

• Consults with the Nursing Supervisor to establish, review, and revise policies, procedures, and specific programs for comprehensive school health education and services.
• Works with others to develop needs assessment and data collection procedures; e.g.,  I.E.P.’s
• Provides orientation and training of staff, as needed, to comply with the Nurse Practice Act and other relevant statutes and regulations relating to school health
• Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs.
• Develops and communicates emergency care and injury response plans to appropriate school personnel and students.
• Maintains comprehensive school health records
• Collaborates with school administrators and personnel in assessing and improving the social and emotional climate of students and faculty thereby involving them in maintaining a healthful school environment.
• Uses population-based data collection to plan and evaluate the school health program.
• Prepares regular written reports for school officials and MDPH and other agencies describing the services provided by the program, number of students served, etc.;  interprets school health services needs and the role of the school nurse to the school and community.
• Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions, prevention of blood-borne pathogens exposure, and hazardous medical waste disposal.

SCHOOL NURSE

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Nursing Services

Using the nursing process, collaborates with the parent/guardian and student, where appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student.

• Collects information about the health and development status of the student, his/her family, and significant others in a systematic and continuous manner, including health and social histories, screening results, physical assessment, emotional status, performance level and health goals, and makes home visits as needed.
• Develops a nursing diagnosis and care plan with specific goals and interventions delineating school nursing actions specific to student needs and coordinated with the efforts of other providers and school personnel; implements plans in a manner aimed at improving health and educational status.
• Provides medically prescribed interventions including medication administration (based on state regulations) and nursing procedures and provides nursing care to the chronically ill children on a daily basis.
• Responds to frequently encountered health issues; providing counseling and crisis intervention when required, e.g., adolescent pregnancy, substance abuse, death of a family member, suicide; responds to child neglect or abuse issues (as required by Massachusetts statute).
• Assesses student response to nursing actions in order to revise the data base, nursing diagnoses, and nursing care plan to determine the progress made toward goal achievement; documents pertinent information in student records or confidential nursing notes.
• Provides first aid to injured children and staff; provides everyday care of acutely ill children; manages children with communicable diseases.

Collaboration

Collaborates with other professionals, team members, and community providers in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programs and other school health activities so as to maximize and coordinate services and prevent duplication.

• Establishes a process to identify students at-risk for physical and psychosocial problems, communicate health needs to other school personnel as appropriate, and establishes a referral system using both internal and community resources.
• Participates as a team member; shares information with other team members about children with special health care problems which affect learning and growth; acts as an advocate for the student and faculty when appropriate; attends Special Education Team Meetings.                                              
• Includes the student and parent in the team conference whenever possible and appropriate.
• Identifies health-related needs for inclusion in the individual education plan.
• Serves as a member of pertinent committees and teams; e.g., crisis intervention team, support groups for grieving students, etc. 
• When a school is planning or implementing a school-based health center, participates on the SBHC advisory committee.

Health Education

Assist students, families, and staff to achieve optimal levels of wellness through health education and promotion.

• Identifies need for health education; teaches the basic principles of health promotion and disease prevention to students and staff using principles of learning and appropriate teaching methods.
• Assumes responsibilities for in-service programs for school personnel for first aid, emergency care procedures, and current health issues.
• Acts as a resource in health education to school personnel, students, and families; serves as a         member of the curriculum committee for health education.

Community Health Planning

Participates with other members of the community to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate school health services and community health services which include the broad continuum of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.

• Uses population-based data.
• Understands and applies core public health functions of assessment, policy development, and assurance.
• Uses community resources for referral of students with unmet health needs, including the need for primary care provider; participates in the planning and implementation of new services.
• Interprets school health service needs and the role of the school nurse to the school and community.

Professional Practice

Applies appropriate nursing theory, as the basis for decision-making in the school setting while expanding knowledge and skills in response to the student health needs, and participates in research.

• Demonstrates current knowledge in such areas as (a) professional issues in school nursing, (b) school and community health, (c) communicable disease control, (d) growth & development, (e) health assessment, (f) special health conditions, (g) injury prevention & emergency care, (h) health counseling, health education and promotion, (i) current adolescent issues.
• Assumes responsibility for continuing own education; obtains expert consultation, supervision, and peer review as needed.
• Collaborates with local schools of nursing to provide student practices in community health, as well as to obtain nursing education resources.

SALARY AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:    In accordance with Fall River Educator Association  Contract.  Continued employment is contingent on work performance, program need, and funding.      

Closing Date for Applications:  As indicated on webpage

The Fall River Public School District is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status or active military status, mental illness, political affiliation, genetic information or disability.  All candidates are encouraged to apply.