School Nurse

Gaston County Schools • NC, NC

7d

About The Position

The School Nurse identifies and treats health disorders among students, evaluates students’ physical conditions, refers students to appropriate resources, and provides instruction in good health and disease prevention. The role serves students from Pre-K through grade 12 and requires discretionary judgment and analysis.

The School Nurse provides comprehensive school nursing services, supports and leads school health programs in accordance with applicable laws and policies, develops program procedures and standards, coordinates with school staff and child-support agencies, and provides health education, screenings, first aid, medically prescribed services, follow-up, and health-related staff development. The role also manages program resources, maintains records and supplies, prepares reports, communicates with parents, and conducts home visits when appropriate.

The position requires a current unencumbered North Carolina Registered Nurse license and two years of nursing experience. A Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and successful school nursing experience are preferred. If offered the position, the prospective employee must pass a required health exam, criminal records check, and drug test. Work with preschool children additionally requires a federally mandated childcare background check and fingerprints.

Requirements

• Hold a current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina.
• Have two years of nursing experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the North Carolina Nurse Practice Act.
• Knowledge of emergency and routine medical procedures; local health care agencies and institutions; current school nursing literature, trends, and developments; principles of supervision, organization, and administration; and the growth and development, common health conditions, and illnesses of children from Pre-K through grade 12.
• Skill in performing health screenings and medical examinations.
• Ability to assess student needs and develop plans to meet those needs; perform emergency medical procedures; train others in first aid and emergency care; and adapt to working under stress.
• Ability to read and prepare correspondence, referrals, medical records, reports, forms, plans, logs, charts, and related materials; maintain accurate records; and develop simple reports from those records.
• Ability to apply logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw conclusions, and to interpret technical instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, explain procedures, follow oral and written instructions, and communicate using medical terminology.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing preferred.
• Successful experience in school nursing preferred.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive school nursing services to students from Pre-K through grade 12.
• Develop policies, procedures, and work standards for school health programs.
• Serve as a health consultant and provide leadership to schools on school health programs and applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies.
• Initiate program changes as needed and manage program allotments efficiently.
• Prepare health reports for the supervisor, board of education, and health department.
• Collaborate with child-support agencies in designing and providing school health programs.
• Negotiate professional and medical services essential to the school health program.
• Provide first aid and medically prescribed services, and maintain the security of school health supplies.
• Instruct students in health education according to the state curriculum for grades K–12.
• Serve as a resource on health issues and as a member of the School Nursing Team in the Department of Health Services.
• Provide staff development on health-related topics for school staff and volunteers.
• Screen and conduct health appraisals for students and staff; provide follow-up evaluations as required and recommend corrective action when problems are identified.
• Conduct home visits when appropriate and correspond with parents about children's health needs.
• Record immunizations, health findings, and other relevant health data.
• Complete random moment-in-time studies as required by MAC program guidelines.
• Perform other related work as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level