School Nurse

REQUIREMENTS:
• Pennsylvania School Nurse certification.
• Licensure by the State of Pennsylvania as a Registered Nurse.
• First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificated.
• Successful completion of all required background checks, physical (as required by the PA Department of Education), TB test, professional/personal reference checks and any applicable pre-employment requirements of the position.
It is the responsibility of the employee to comply with the requirements of PA Act 48 (completion of 180 continuing professional education hours every 5 years) to maintain an active certificate and completion of the required coursework to retain school nurse certification (if applicable).

Preferred: Psychiatric experience.

OBJECTIVE: 

1. To provide nursing services that meet the medical needs of students during school hours.

2. Administer first aid to staff

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Nursing Services
1. Ensures compliance with Federal State and County laws, rules and regulations as they relate to school nursing, nursing and health office procedures.
2. In collaboration with school and Partial Hospital personnel, ensures that the rights of each student/patient are facilitated and protected.
3. Provides first aid to students for acute injuries or illnesses and alerts appropriate staff when other physical or psychological complications are apparent that require further follow-up.
4. Provides first aid to staff when injured and contacts emergency medical personnel (i.e., EMTs) as needed.
5. Administration of medication to students.
6. Organizes, monitors, and operationalizes procedures related to the collection, storing, and distribution of student medication per state law and regulation.
7. Collaborates with the consulting psychiatrist(s) to complete medication prescriptions.
8. Initiates referrals where necessary for routine physical examinations, dental examinations, immunizations, etc.
9. Coordinates and/or completes yearly audiometric and vision screening tests to all students and makes arrangements for dental screenings and physical examination as needed.
10. Maintains a current health and immunization record for each student in accordance with school and Partial Hospital Program regulation.
11. Provides instruction to students and staff related to diet, growth, nutrition, hygiene and specific medical condition (i.e., asthma, diabetes) when need is indicated.
12. Perform and/or assist on an as needed basis, to the students’ physical needs, and personal hygiene needs (e.g., diapering, toileting, grooming, feeding, etc.), following safety standards. Additionally, follow proper procedures in handling and disposing of body fluids.
13. Educates staff about pertinent medical procedures or routines that add to their repertoire of skill, promote their well-being, or diminish their risk of harm while in the performance of duties. (i.e., blood- borne pathogen and universal precaution training).
14. Provides counseling to parents regarding their child’s diet, health habits, or medication management, when requested or medically indicated.

Communication/Teamwork
1. Works in a collaborative team model to design, implement, evaluate, and modify programming for students.
2. Communicates areas of concern and participates in problem-solving activities with classroom, administrative team members.
3. As requested or medically indicated, actively participates in daily classroom team meetings, student case presentation meetings, crisis debriefing meetings, red flag meetings, IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team meetings, and treatment review meetings.
4. Maintains communication with families concerning health related to students’ health related issues.
5. Documents communication with families, school district representatives, and other agency personnel within the established procedures of Pace School.
6. Completes Critical Incident Reports and other required documentation comprehensively and within established timelines.
7. Maintains communication with appropriate Program Leadership regarding programmatic issues and needs, and with outside agencies or resources, as needed.
8. Keeps others adequately informed and actively seeks information as needed.

Organization/Milieu Management
1. Provides a functional and orderly health office.
2. Maintains facilities and the equipment and materials assigned and reports loss or damage to the administration.
3. Adheres to the daily schedule and master calendar as developed each school year.
4. Maintains certification in Physical Crisis Management and consistently applies knowledge of crisis intervention and behavioral management, such as verbal de-escalation techniques, non-confrontational limit setting, physical restraint management and utilizes the behavioral management program set forth by Pace procedures.
5. Utilizes physical restraint/management techniques and procedures, in accordance with Pace policies, only as a last resort intervention to keep a student safe from harming him/herself or others.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. In all forums, models quality interactions/interventions that are consistent with and based on established program practices.
2. Maintains familiarity with Pace policies and procedures, and complies with established employment procedures (i.e., use of sick leave, dress code, use of personal cell phone, Internet and email acceptable user policies).
3. Meets with Supervisor for supervision on a regularly basis.
4. Participates in professional development goal setting and annual summative evaluation with the Supervisor according to established procedures and timelines.
5. Actively participates in continuing professional development activities for staff.
6. Interacts with others in a professional manner that demonstrates understanding of trauma-informed care.
7. Actively participates on, and/or serves as chair of, a committee that impacts school-wide programming, as assigned or requested.
8. In conjunction with the Principal, supervises the part-time nurse.
9. Performs other duties or responsibilities as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

SENSORY ABILITIES
• Visual acuity to read written material, computer screen, multimedia screen
• Auditory acuity to be able to use the telephone, interview students/families, conduct/participate in staff meetings, listen to questions/concerns
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly

SPECIFIC SKILLS
• Must be proficient user of software applications that include word processing, e-mail, student information system and electronic medical record
• Ability to operate office equipment
• Ability to use technology equipment accurately
• Must maintain confidentiality of information

OTHER

• This position is considered a covered position under the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, Medical Assistance Bulletin 99-11-05. In accordance with the bulletin, Pace School is required to screen covered positions on a monthly basis to determine if they have been excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid or any other federal health care program.
• The position specifications described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of the job. Pace School is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (“ADAAA”) and providing equal opportunity employment for qualified persons with disabilities. Employees should consult with Human Resources if he/she believes any modification to the essential functions of the employee’s job is necessary.

STATUS: Exempt

WORK SCHEDULE
• 190 days
• Occasional early mornings and evenings
• Available for emergencies and/or on an as-needed extra hour(s) basis.