GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the school principal and central office pupil personnel staff, the primary function is to establish and maintain a comprehensive school health program that meets the existing needs and identifies future needs of the students, the schools, and the community. This person will ensure that Franklin City Public Schools sanitization and health protocols are implemented, maintained, and monitored in collaboration with the building administration.

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Functions as a contributing member of the school staff in all aspects of the school program.
• Adequately orders and maintains the supplies in the school clinic area.
• Gets and maintains standards of emergency care to minimize the effects of accidents and illness in the school setting.
• Serves as liaison between home and school regarding health concerns, making home visits when necessary.
• Assesses and evaluates the total health and developmental status of students through observation, interview, physical assessment, screening procedures, and review of records upon entrance to school.
• Assists with Head Start, Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten registration, and interprets health requirements as required by the School Board.
• Makes referrals to appropriate health care providers when defects or health problems are found, such as family doctor, optometrist, health department, or specialist.
• Routinely screens students of grades PreK through grade 5 for visual and hearing with follow-up. 
• Systematically records data on the cumulative health record.   When a physical defect is found, the information will be shared with other involved school personnel and make sure rules are enforced.
• Keeps current and accurate medical records on each student, and continually monitors compliance with state immunization laws, birth certificate number, social security number, and physical exam.
• Monitors exclusion of students with contagious diseases and infested conditions.
• Acts as a resource person in health and dental education. Orders and distributes free materials.  
• Assists with family life education as needed.  (Teaching sensitive areas, personal hygiene, and diseases.)
• Assists students, parents, and teachers to adapt to chronic health problems. 
• Provides individual health instruction and emotional guidance for the individual student and acts as a child advocate when appropriate.
•  Provides health counseling regarding teen pregnancy, nutrition, hygiene, disease prevention, and positive lifestyles.
• Observe and report conditions in the school environment that create health and safety hazards.
• Monitors administration of medication according to division regulations (provides instruction and establishes record keeping for daily administration).
• Functions as a member of the special education team. (Transports children for physical exams when necessary.)
•  Obtains and interprets medical information, identifies impact on education, and helps with developing the IEP where medical problems are present.
• In situations where a paraprofessional is carrying out a health-related treatment, the school nurse will determine the extent of orientation, teach the proper procedure to be carried out, and the type of supervision that will be needed to comply with the State Nurse Practice Act and other legal considerations.
• Arrange in-service programs regarding current issues for school personnel, such as OSHA regulations, AIDS, HBV, seizures, etc.
• Collects data and prepares monthly and yearly reports which include totals of vision, scoliosis, and hearing screenings, referrals, and follow-up.
• Is involved in professional growth by continuing education, membership, and participation in appropriate professional organizations and attending conferences to achieve that requirement.
• Serves as a liaison for reporting child abuse to social services.
• Serves on the School Health Advisory Committee

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES

• Possess qualities of character and personality which merit the confidence and respect of students, staff, and parents.
• Possess good physical and mental health.
• Practice good health habits.
• Basic knowledge of human growth and development from birth to 20 years.
• Knowledge of basic School District work policies and guidelines; knowledge of departmental practices and procedures.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION / EXPERIENCE

Graduate of an accredited registered nursing program.  Must hold a current license to practice as a registered/licensed nurse in Virginia.  Hold a valid Virginia driver's license with no points.  Two years of successful working experience with references giving evidence of competency in nursing care practices.  Experience with child and adolescent health care.  Current knowledge in emergency care, including first aid, with current certification in CPR.