The School Nurse is responsible for a comprehensive school health services program. Required skills include clinical expertise, management skills, and an ability to work with students, families, and a range of disciplines within the school and community. Responsibilities include both mandatory and non-mandated school health services, as outlined below:

• Deliver care to students, staff and visitors
• Communicate health information to parents in a timely manner
• Communicate health information to staff who have a “need-to-know”
• Conduct vision, hearing, postural and BMI screening according to school policy and state regulations
• Manage a Medication Administration Program according to school policy and state regulations
• Provide ongoing health counseling to students, parents and school personnel
• Develop and implement individualized health care plans
• Participate in IEP and 504 plan development, as needed
• Provide case management services, as needed
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff, community and other providers in providing student care
• Collaborate with students, families, school staff and providers to manage students with concussions
• Be alert to warning signs and symptoms of behavioral health issues including depression and suicidality, make referrals, and participate in screenings and other established procedures
• Confirm student eligibility for sports participation
• Assist students and families to obtain health care insurance
• Promote and assist in the control of communicable diseases
• Review immunization status for all students to ensure compliance with MA DPH regulations
• Plan and implement school health management protocols
• Maintain a Substitute School Nurse Reference binder
• Develop procedures for emergency management of injuries/illnesses
• Conduct annual medical emergency response drills
• Conduct annual staff training for allergy recognition, auto-injector epinephrine administration, standard precautions and infection control measures
• Provide health education and serve as a resource to school staff for health instruction
• Engage in research and evaluation of school health services to continuously improve school health programs and school nursing practice
• Manage health supplies inventory and annual ordering
• Maintain a professional and safe health room
• Serve on the school-based crisis team
• Act as site leader for Public Access Automated Emergency Defibrillation (AED) Program.
• Serve on the school-based Wellness Committee.
• Collaborate with school staff to develop safety and/or evacuation plans for students with special health care and/or mobility needs
• Maintain a daily record of all health room visits
• Maintain cumulative health records for all students
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the building principal or nurse leader

Qualifications

• Certification as a Registered Nurse
• Bachelor's Degree
• Nursing experience in a school, community or pediatric setting
• MA DESE licensure as a school nurse, or license eligible