School Nurse Substitute

About the Employer

Job Summary

Reporting to the building principal, the school nurse � substitute is responsible for enhancing the educational process of students in the absence of the regular school nurse by the modification or removal of health-related barriers to learning and by promotion of an optimal level of wellness to both students and staff.

Work Environment

Exposure to disease/pathogens, blood, bodily fluids, medications, and toxic chemicals. Employee experiences constant interruptions and deadlines. The noise level is quiet to loud. Duties are performed primarily indoors and occasionally outdoors. In-district and out-of-town travel required as necessary for training and/or to carry out duties and responsibilities of the position.

Management of Comprehensive School Health Program

Manages a comprehensive school health program consistent with the Massachusetts guidelines, regulations, and statutes governing nursing and school health.

Organizing and Implementing State-Mandated Programs

Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs (vision, hearing, postural).

Promoting Positive Safety Practices

Promotes positive safety practices both within and outside of school buildings.

Maintaining Comprehensive School Health Records

Maintains comprehensive school health records for each student based on nursing assessment and medical information; maintains a daily record of all nurse’s office visits and activities.

Communicable Disease Prevention and Infection Control

Carries out communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions; prevention of blood borne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal.

Providing Medically Prescribed Interventions

Provides medically prescribed interventions, including medication administration; provides care to ill children and first aid to injured children, and triage to appropriate health care providers.

Collaborating with Parents/Guardians and Students

Using the nursing process, collaborates with the parent/guardian and student, when appropriate, to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student.

Documenting Medication Administration

Documents administration of all medications in accordance with district policy and state laws.

Providing Health Education

Provides health education to students, families, and school personnel to empower them to make informed decisions for optimum wellness.

Education and Experience

Current license to practice as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bachelor’s degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Current certification in CPR/AED and first aid. One to three years of experience in school, pediatric, or public health nursing preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of medical disorders and treatment, child growth and development, public health problems, and procedures for treatment in coordination with other health and social service agencies. Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations affecting the delivery of school health services; knowledge of the school organization and the community served.

Skill in Interacting with Others

Skill in interacting tactfully with others and exercising good judgment; making independent and timely nursing decisions; securing cooperation and respect of students and staff; maintaining effective working relationships; accurately recording services rendered; interpreting and explaining records, reports, activities, health care plan, accommodations, or medical intervention.

Ability to Identify Abnormal Growth and Symptoms

Ability to identify abnormal growth, development and symptoms of disease; coordinate and facilitate services between the school, local health agency, and other community resources; develop and maintain health records on students.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position for extended periods; move and traverse swiftly throughout the building; position oneself to effectively assist students; close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus; mental acuity to collect and interpret data, evaluate, reason, define problems, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, make valid judgments and decisions.

Important Notes

The essential duties and responsibilities listed are intended only as an illustration of the type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.