School Nurse

Performs general duty nursing work. Provides comprehensive health assessments and problem management services to students in public, private and parochial schools for one or for a cluster of schools. Manages the school health program and maintains comprehensive health records for each student. Provides health counseling to students, parents and school personnel on issues designed to promote good health habits in students. Collaborates with school personnel and service providers in the community to meet individual student’s needs.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes and monitors the school health program in the individual schools; prepares comprehensive health histories, schedules admission and periodic medical examinations for students, aids the School Clinician during physical examinations, conducts annual and periodic health screening tests, immunizes and/or assists in immunizing students by cooperating with community health agencies.
• Provides health counseling for students, parents and school staff aimed at encouraging students to take responsibility for their health care.
• Interprets the assessed health status to students, their parents and school personnel and other appropriately concerned parties and counsels them in planning action for dealing with health problems that interfere with effective learning, refers students and parents to community sources of health care, counseling and financial assistance; conducts follow-up procedures to ascertain that students  are receiving recommended treatment.
• Provides specialized nursing care for students with chronic conditions who may require procedures such as catheterization, tube feeding and tracheostomy care; oversees the activities of ancillary personnel. 
• Maintains and conducts the school health room; provides care in case of illness or injury; provides treatment in accordance with standing medical orders; advocates a safe school environment, is alert to possible health and safety hazards.
• Maintains comprehensive health records for each student including findings of screenings and examinations; management of health problems; records health program data for evaluation, research and continuity of school nursing services.                
• Maintains a viable health communications network; functions as a member of an interdisciplinary school team including principals, counselors and teachers; interacts with community organizations, local clinics and Home and School Associations.

 Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Completion of an accredited nursing program.
• Two years of full-time, paid, professional nursing experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated knowledge of:
  • Principles, practices and techniques of public health and pediatric nursing and the relationship of school health programs to other health and welfare agencies.
  • Community organizations and facilities related to school health nursing.

• School health standards and methods of appraising school health and related programs.

• • Demonstrated ability to:
• Gain confidence and cooperation of students while providing health services and instructing them, their parents and teachers in understanding and dealing with health problems.
• Interpret public health and education regulations.
• Provide care to injured or ill students.
• Instruct and supervise others in the provision of care to students.
• Prepare reports and maintain accurate and comprehensive records.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Certificates/Licenses

• Valid license registered professional nurse issued by the State board of Nursing, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Valid School Nurse Certificate issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Pay Rate : $54,000 - $80,000