School Nurse

Classification:  Exempt

Reports to:  Assistant Head of School

Purpose

This position is directly responsible for a coordinated school health program, which includes providing emergency and preventative health services in support of a safe and healthy environment for students and staff.

Summary

The School Nurse serves to promote, support and maintain the health, wellness and safety of students and faculty/staff by providing emergency medical and preventive health services, identifying problems and disabilities, and providing services including referring and care in order to help prevent serious health problems.  This is accomplished by assessing the health needs of students; developing emergency care plans and individual health plans; complying with the laws relating to student health; providing appropriate care for ill, medically fragile and/or injured students; providing health information and serving as a resource to parents, teachers, staff, and administrators; and identifying health problems for referral for proper treatment.  

Supervision Received and Exercised

The employee works under limited supervision following standardized nursing practices and/or methods to achieve the day-to-day purposes of the School health program.  The School Nurse receives direction from the Assistant Head of School, and may receive input from physicians, in the administration of the overall program.

 Work Schedule

This may be a part-time or full-time position, academic year position which may be eligible for job sharing.  In general, the School Nurse office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., five days a week.  As an exempt employee, there may be times the employee will be expected to work beyond the workday to perform duties outlined in the job description and as assigned.  There is a mandatory administrative staff meeting once a week.

Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Job Functions

Spiritual Leadership

• Study the Bible, God’s only written Word
• Skillfully articulate the personal/ethical implications of a lifelong faith commitment
• Measure knowledge against the standard of God’s revealed truth in Scripture
• Actively participate in the explicitly religious components of the student and community programs
• Demonstrate an overt commitment to the life of a church and its core traditions
• Respect the School’s Christian mission and values, and aid students in Christian formation by exemplifying Christian living, both in and out of the classroom
• Be a positive role model for students by supporting Geneva’s Beliefs including the School’s Statement of Faith and Statement on Identity, Sexuality and Gender and exemplifying the Portrait of a Geneva Teacher 
• Perform duties as a minister and steward of the Christian faith

Nursing Services

• Provide first aid emergency care, medication and specialized medical treatments for sick, medically fragile and/or injured students, faculty and staff members
• Develop and implement individual student health care and emergency care plans for students with special care needs in conjunction with parents and/or physicians
• Provides care for students with chronic illnesses and extremely high-risk students, e.g., allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, medically fragile, etc., for the purpose of assisting the child in achieving successful learning
• Assess situations involving students’ safety, abuse (physical, sexual, drug, etc.) and other health-related issues for the purpose of identifying problems, referring for proper treatment, and complying with legal requirements
• Promote maximum student attendance through early detection and treatment of communicable diseases
• Responds to emergency medical situations, e.g., severe falls, seizures, loss of consciousness, medication reactions, bleeding, etc., for the purpose of ensuring appropriate immediate medical attention and related follow-up action
• Maintain a current BLS certification

Instruction

• Promote wellness through instruction on a variety of health-related subjects to students, parents and School staff
• Counsel students and families on health conditions and lifestyle issues to facilitate a healthier student population
• Plan and promote CPR and AED classes for faculty, staff and coaches

Consultation

• Serve as the health liaison between School, physicians, parents, and the community.
• Working with other School staff, assess student problems and make recommendations for medical and health care as needed
• Participate in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse
• Contact parents about specific situations/concerns including but not limited to urgent care and ER visits,
• Communicate regularly with the Head of School regarding health services issues

Administration

• Comply with the Texas Department of Health regulations including immunization requirements
• Collect, input, and maintain accurate immunization records and exemptions, ensuring compliance with state reporting guidelines.
• Manage and facilitate annual vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings, ensuring compliance with state reporting guidelines.
• Secure all medical records and health information in compliance with State and Federal laws
• Track and maintain accurate records of faculty and staff CPR certification status.
• Monitor and maintain all AEDs on campus, ensuring timely battery and part replacements as needed.
• Maintain complete and accurate records of all treatments and health care plans to ensure proper documentation and continuity of care.
• Maintain the Medical Expenses budget in collaboration with the Assistant Head of School, ensuring nursing supplies are stocked and anticipating upcoming expenses
• Maintain a secure system for administration and management of all medications and first aid supplies
• Investigate reports of student injuries and complete school required documentation
• Report health and safety issues to the Head of School and appropriate State agencies
• Maintain regular contact with the local health department

Professionalism

• Demonstrate commitment and loyalty to the School and the teaching profession through speech, punctuality, dress, attitude, and attention to duties
• Present a consistent, predictable and reliable demeanor to students
• Collaborate with staff, co-workers, and administration in a cooperative, professional atmosphere
• Accept constructive feedback to affect personal and professional growth
• Develop and maintain professional competence and continuous improvement through active participation in professional development activities and/or professional organizations
• Attend and participate in faculty meetings and staff development activities, as required
• Comply with the policies in the Geneva School Employee Handbook
• Perform other duties as assigned

Essential Requirements

• A disciple of Jesus Christ and as such, one who models a love for God through obedience to His Word; such obedience is evidenced through convictions, lifestyle and worldview.
• A full and unreserved supporter of Geneva’s Beliefs including the School’s Statement of Faith and Statement on Identity, Sexuality and Gender.
• Responsible, dependable and compassionate
• Valid registered nurse license (RN) to practice professional nursing in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners
• Two (2) years of nursing experience

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Safety practices and procedures
• First aid, AED use, handling hazardous materials/waste, and operating equipment used in a clinical setting
• Pediatric and family nursing practices
• Child developmental stages
• Community health concepts
• State and Federal health regulations and standards
• Working knowledge of MS Excel, Word and Outlook

Required Abilities

• Exhibit consistent Christian maturity
• Independently plan and efficiently manage School health program functions
• Demonstrate commitment to the well-being of others
• Take independent action where required and handle unique problems
• Exercise wisdom, diplomacy and integrity while maintaining professionalism
• Make decisions in emergency situations
• Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to students, families and fellow employees
• Prioritize tasks with the ability to adapt quickly to changing situations
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Communicate calmly and effectively with students and parents
• Meet pre-set deadlines with high degree of accuracy
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Understand, interpret and apply Geneva School policies, procedures, and regulations affecting School operations and programs

Preferred Experience and Abilities

• Work experience in a school, community health, or non-profit organization
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited professional nursing program

Work Environment

• Office on open school campus

Physical Requirements

• Regular walking with ability to observe students in the classroom, on the fields, and other campus locations
• Significant fine finger dexterity
• Visual acuity, Auditory function and Speaking capability (with or without correction) necessary to complete the essential job functions
• Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds
• Physical stamina for frequent carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling
• Biological exposure to bacteria and communicable disease
• Ability to access other school classrooms and offices on campus
• Maintain emotional control under stress

This document describes the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.