PCNJ - District School Nurse

District School Nurse

Position Purpose:

To provide assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management and/or referrals concerning the health and medical care needs of students for the purpose of minimizing absences due to illness, maximizing educational opportunities, and creating a healthy school climate.

Essential Functions:

• Works collaboratively with health care providers, students’ parents, school district staff and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• Assists in the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive school health program.
• Collects information about the health development status of students for compliance with state immunization regulations and Board of Education policies.
• Conducts school programs of immunization, physical examinations, and sight and hearing testing.
• Performs nursing assessment for students who are ill or injured; applies appropriate theory as basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention and referrals for those students.
• Evaluates nursing care provided and changes plan of care as necessary.
• Implements Board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases (e.g., Tuberculosis).
• Maintains accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law, and Board of Education policies.
• Develops individual health care plan (ICHP) when needed with specific goals, nursing diagnosis, and interventions delineating school-nursing actions unique to students’ needs and for incorporation into the student’s individualized educational plan (IEP).
• Intervenes as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
• Serves as a member of school teams as designated health care professional
• Provides guidance, counseling and health education to students, parents and employees as necessary.
• Reports to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs.
• Provides instruction and training regarding the Heimlich Maneuver, Blood Borne Pathogen training, the school district’s Emergency plan, and with regard to providing care for students, including students with disabilities.
• Contributes to nursing and school health through innovations in theory; practice and participation in research, including narrative and statistical reports.
• Provides medical assessment to school district employees as requested.
• Provides health education to students as requested.
• Notifies the appropriate person or agency of student’s injury/illness in accordance with Board policy as necessary.
• Confers with parents, students and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.