School Nurse/RN - Hidenwood Elementary School

Newport News Public Schools • Newport News, VA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The School Nurse/RN provides professional nursing care and health services to students and staff in a public school setting. The nurse organizes and oversees the health clinic at the assigned school, assesses student health needs, performs and interprets screenings and examinations, provides direct nursing care and emergency treatment, offers health counseling, and conducts educational workshops. The position supports a safe and healthy environment to maximize students’ potential to learn.

The nurse supervises assigned treatment nurses and clinic assistants; coordinates care with families, physicians, school personnel, and community agencies; maintains student health records and required reports; and ensures compliance with infection-control standards, laws, regulations, protocols, and School Board policies. The role also supports students with special health needs and medically fragile students, including implementation of individualized health plans and specialized nursing care where needed.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited school of professional nursing.
• Some work experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Licensed, or eligible for licensure, as a Registered Nurse by the Virginia Board of Nursing.
• Current CPR certification.
• Knowledge of professional nursing principles, practices, and techniques in a public school environment, including anatomy, physiology, child growth and development, basic pharmacology, medical terminology, and infection-control measures.
• Ability to organize a clinic and supervise staff.
• Ability to manage student health and exercise judgment in applying nursing care.
• Skills in standard nursing procedures and ability to perform and interpret health screenings and physical examinations.
• Ability to maintain comprehensive health records, prepare clear and concise medical reports, and use appropriate computer systems.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff, parents or guardians, and outside agencies.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Organize the health clinic and supervise the daily activities of assigned treatment nurses and clinic assistants.
• Evaluate student health through screenings, tests, and physical examinations, and communicate findings to students, parents or guardians, and school personnel.
• Provide nursing care to students and staff, including medication administration, immunizations, first aid, emergency care, and care prescribed by a medical provider; accompany students to the hospital when necessary.
• Observe students for illness and possible communicable disease, abuse, substance abuse, mental illness, depression, eating disorders, chronic illness, and physical defects; make referrals and communicate findings as appropriate.
• Help improve attendance by reducing time lost to illness and injuries.
• Report suspected child abuse and neglect through proper channels.
• Liaise between the school and family physicians to promote effective patient case management.
• Enforce infection-control policies and procedures concerning exclusion and readmission of students with infectious and contagious diseases.
• Provide health counseling to students and parents or guardians on health-related issues, including disease, emotional distress, and pregnancy.
• Participate in eligibility and child study teams and help formulate health care plans for students with special needs or who are medically fragile.
• Maintain compliance with IEPs and IHPs and perform specialized nursing care, such as catheterizations, suctioning, and tracheotomy care, as needed.
• Advise teachers and school staff about student health needs and recommend educational program or environment modifications when appropriate.
• Participate in school committees concerning student health and wellness, including crisis and substance abuse teams.
• Provide health education materials and conduct workshops for students, staff, and parents or guardians on health topics.
• Ensure clinic sanitary standards and OSHA standards for bloodborne pathogens and other potentially infectious materials are met.
• Assist school personnel in inspecting the school for health and medical hazards and recommend corrective action.
• Maintain student health records, prepare and submit required reports, and use the nursing components of the ESIS computer system.
• Comply with applicable laws, regulations, protocols, and School Board policies and procedures.
• Request supplies and equipment for the school health clinic.
• Model nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: Associate degree