District Resource Nurse (Part-Time) 0.6 FTE SY 2526

Wellesley Public Schools

Position: School Nurse

Reports to:

The school nurse reports to the Department Head of Nursing Services and the school principal.

Required Qualifications:

Be licensed as a school nurse by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Scope of Responsibilities:

The school nurse is responsible for developing implementing and managing a school health program for a school population as defined by the school district. Responsibilities include program management nursing services collaboration health education community health and emergency planning and professional practice.

As a nurse registered through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) the school nurse must adhere to the Nurse Practice Act pertinent regulations governing nursing practice and the standards of care established by the professional organizations such as the National Association of School Nurses (NASN).

Responsibilities:

The school nurse will establish and manage a comprehensive school health program consistent with the Massachusetts guidelines regulations and statutes governing nursing and school health and all local school district policy.

• Consults with the Department Head of Nursing Services school physician school administrators and others to establish review and revise policies protocols and specific programs for comprehensive school health education and services;
• Works with others to develop a needs assessment and data collection protocols;
• Organizes and implements state-mandated programs such as immunization surveillance and screening programs;
• Promotes positive safety practices in conjunction with school administration both within and outside school buildings and ensures that the school has an emergency plan that is communicated to personnel and students;
• Participates in the school community emergency planning;
• Maintains comprehensive school health records;
• Collaborates with school administrators and personnel in assessing and improving the social and emotional climate of students and faculty; involves them in maintaining a healthful school environment;
• Uses population-based data to plan and evaluate the school health program; completes continuous quality improvement programs as needed to improve practice and outcomes;
• Prepares regular written reports for school officials the school committee and DPH and other agencies describing the services provided by the program numbers of students served and so forth; interprets school health services needs and the role of the school nurse to the school and community;
• Implements communicable disease prevention and infection control based on current guidelines for universal precautions prevention of blood borne pathogens exposure and hazardous medical waste disposal; coordinates activities with the Wellesley Board of Health.

Nursing Services

Using the nursing process the school nurse will collaborate with parent/guardian and student where appropriate to develop and implement an individualized health care plan for the student.

• Collects information about the health and developmental status of the student in a systematic manner including health and social histories screening results physical assessment emotional status performance level and health goals;
• Develops a care plan with specific goals and interventions delineating school nursing actions specific to student needs and coordinated with the efforts of other providers and school personnel; implements plans in a manner aimed at improving health and educational status;
• Provides medically prescribed interventions including medication administration and provides care to ill children on a daily basis;
• Responds to frequently encountered health issues providing counseling and crisis intervention when required;
• Responds to child neglect or abuse issues as required by Massachusetts statute
• Assesses student response to nursing actions in order to revise the database nursing diagnoses and nursing care plan and to determine the progress made toward goal achievement; documents pertinent information in the students school health record;
• Provides first aid to injured children and staff; provides everyday care of acutely ill children; manages children with communicable diseases;
• Responds promptly to emergencies and performs CPR when indicated

Collaboration

The school nurse will collaborate with other professionals team members and community providers in order to assess plan implement and evaluate programs and other school health activities.

• Establishes a process to identify students at risk for physical and psychosocial problems communicates health needs to other school personnel as appropriate;
• Participates as team member; with parental consent when indicated shares information with other team members about children with special health care problems which affect their safety learning and growth; acts as an advocate for the student and family when appropriate; attends Special Education meetings
• Identifies health-related needs for inclusion in the individual education plan;
• Serves as a member of pertinent committees and teams;

Health Education

The school nurse will assist students families and groups to achieve optimal levels of wellness through health education and promotion.

• Identifies need for health education; teaches the basic principles of health promotion and disease prevention to students and staff using principles of learning and appropriate teaching methods;
• Acts as a resource in health education to school personnel students and families

Community Health Planning

The school nurse will collaborate with other members of the community to assess plan implement and evaluate school health services and community services on the broad continuum of primary secondary and tertiary prevention.

• Uses population-based data
• Uses community resources for referral of students with unmet health needs including the need for a primary care provider;
• Establishes a working relationship with community providers and organizations
• Uses media to convey important health information

Professional Practice

The school nurse will apply appropriate nursing theory as the basis for decision making in the school setting while expanding knowledge and skills in response to student health

needs.

• Demonstrates current knowledge in the following areas:

1. a) Professional issues in nursing
2. b) School and community health
3. c) Communicable disease control
4. d) Growth and development
5. e) Health assessment
6. f) Special health conditions both chronic and acute
7. g) Injury prevention and emergency care
8. h) Health counseling health education and promotion
9. i) Current adolescent issues

• Assumes responsibility for own continuing education
• Obtains expert consultation supervision and peer review as needed Collaborates with local schools of nursing to provide student practice in community health