Nurse

Dept/Div: Teaching and Learning                                                                                                     FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

General Definition of Work

The school nurse is the licensed professional practitioner in the school community to oversee health services, policies and programs. The school nurse practices to provide students with healthcare to minimize absenteeism and promote equal access to education. Nursing services assist parents or legal guardians to reasonably meet compulsory regulations of attendance for their child with mental or physical health needs pursuant to Iowa Code 299. Using professional nursing judgment and clinical knowledge, the registered nurse provides health care to students and staff, performs health screenings, develops individualized plans of care, provides health education, provides case management, coordinates referrals for students to the medical home or private healthcare provider, and assists the education team in early identification of learners needing accommodations or specialized instruction.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Performs health care services to students. 
• Administers medications and first aid.
• Assists with screening and testing students for hearing and vision problems, height, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure.
• Creates and maintains records, visit and care logs; informs parents of visits and services performed. 
• Refers students for medical care needed and not otherwise available.
• Develops student health plans and coordinates with appropriate staff.
• Maintains clean and orderly nursing area.
• Effectively communicates with students, staff, and parents on health and health-related issues, needs, and concerns.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of common medical practices, procedures and techniques associated with the standard physical examination; general knowledge of the preliminary diagnosis of medical problems and the administration of medications related to treatment and first aid; general skill using standard office equipment, hardware and software; general skill giving standard basic first aid; some skill in creating and maintaining health records; ability to administer medications and apply therapeutic treatments as required; ability to follow technical oral and written instructions in exact detail; ability to maintain accurate records; ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, parents, staff, police, fire, EMT, County personnel and the general public.

Education and Experience

Minimum of a registered nurse and moderate experience working in first aid, medical administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires using hands to finger, handle or feel, frequently requires standing, sitting and speaking or hearing and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting and repetitive motions; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using of measuring devices, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities; work frequently requires exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a quiet location (e.g. library, private offices).

Special Requirements

• CPR & First Aid certification.
• Medication Administration certification.
• Ability to maintain certifications through continuing education.