Registered Nurse - Special Education

Our outstanding teachers, support staff members and leaders are top-notch educators whom others seek to emulate, and quite simply - we would like for you to consider joining us.

General Description:
Responsible for providing health care services to designated students with special needs as well as the general student population. Under general supervision, performs work of moderate to high-level decision making with the majority of work completed in the school setting. Provides comprehensive health and nursing services in school clinics. Handles routine and complex medical situations within standard medical practices. Contacts are made within and outside the school. Requires handling of sensitive and confidential information, and dealing tactfully with others. Considerable professional judgment is required.

Job Description:

Essential Job Functions:

*All functions listed below are required to be done in accordance with the Code of Virginia; Regulations Governing the Practice of Nursing (2015) 18 VAC 90-20-420 et. seq. **Refers employees to the health center or his/her doctor for further evaluation and follow up.

• Provides direct nursing services to students and **staff in the school.
• Performs treatment procedures in accordance with physician and/or licensed health care provider's instructions. Trains appropriate personnel to perform treatment procedures.
• Administers and manages student health service plans; writes student plans of care. Documents all skilled nursing care, procedures, assessments, contacts made, medication administered, etc.
• Treats minor accidents and health emergencies. Contacts emergency services and parents when necessary; performs first aid and CPR until help arrives.
• Teaches and assists with hygiene; monitors and screens student health.
• Attends home, hospital, or school meetings to discuss the medical needs of students entering programs; acts as health resource person; assists teachers with health questions.
• Provides case management for students with chronic and newly diagnosed health care needs; participates in Individualized Educational Program teams (IEPs) and 504 meetings as necessary; obtains Individualized Care Plans and the Emergency Action Plans (EAPs); distributes EAPs to administrators and to all necessary school personnel in a timely manner in accordance with the Family Education and Privacy Act. (FERPA)
• Coordinates and/or performs health care, developmental, and other screenings per state mandates; evaluates findings, refers and follows-up as required by *Virginia school law and School Board policy.
• Provides interpretation on a variety of documentation, files, and records (e.g. health care plans, accident reports, immunization records, etc.) in compliance with local, state and federal requirements.
• Ensures adequate supplies are maintained in the school clinic; checks first aid supplies and equipment daily; secures and monitors medications including controlled substances as required by *law.
• Administers and/or trains appropriate personnel to administer medication to appropriate students, with parental permission and a Licensed Health Care Provider's order for prescription medication; keeps medication permission forms on file.
• Trains, regularly evaluates, and assesses competency of clinic assistants or school administrator delegated personnel in medication administration and procedures to support specific healthcare needs of students.
• Assists with public health emergency responses.
• Completes necessary trainings, forms, and procedures for Bloodborne Pathogen exposure incidents as outlined in School Board policy and Regulations.
• Ensures compliance with all school laws protecting the confidentiality of medical information, of school health *laws and regulations for school officials as needed and personnel, parents and the community; obtains written consent from the parent/guardian to share information.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of documentation files and records (e.g. clinic records, health care plans, immunization records, Bloodborne Pathogen exposure incident reports, etc.) in compliance with *local, state and federal requirements.
• Advises administrators, teachers, and cafeteria staff on all students with food allergies according to FERPA; obtains care plans for students with food allergies and advises school personnel in recognizing the signs of food allergies and the appropriate steps to take including the administration of epinephrine.
• Writes plans of care for Medicaid per Department of Medical Services (DMAS) guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Budgetary Responsibility:

N/A

Report Preparation:

Prepares a variety of reports related to providing health care services.

Equipment Operation:

Proficient in the use of basic medical equipment (e.g. feeding pumps, suction equipment, etc.), computers and office equipment and presentation technology.

Contacts:

Close daily and personal contact with students and regular contact with administrators, parents, private health care providers, school personnel, human service agencies, community resources, and other specialists is necessary. Collaborates with parents, teachers, staff, health care providers and/or public agencies for the purpose of promoting and/or securing student health services, providing information and complying with legal requirements.

Work Direction:

Provides work direction and clinical supervision to: Clinic Assistant(s); Clinic Assistant Back-ups; Licensed Practical Nurses; work direction to trained Instructional Assistants who provide specialized health care procedures.

Supervision:

N/A

Decision Making:

Performs majority of functions independently; Moderate to high decision making including assessment, planning, implementing and evaluation, of the nursing process for continual improvement and quality.

Formal Policy-Setting Responsibilities:

N/A

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, printed materials and/or controls; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, balance, stoop and kneel and drive and may be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a public school setting. The employee regularly works with medical substances, supplies, and equipment. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.Exposure to potentially infectious diseases and bloodborne pathogens is possible.

Qualifications:

Considerable knowledge of health conditions and treatments, and child growth and development. Comprehensive knowledge of first aid, CPR, and AED operation; of medications/side-effects and health care procedures. Demonstrated ability to screen and assess illnesses, injuries, and seizures to determine appropriate immediate treatment and to handle emergencies; to develop and maintain effective and sensitive relationships with students with special needs, parents, staff and the public; to prioritize work schedules, work independently, train school personnel, and assume responsibility without direct supervision. Working knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of school nursing; of health promotion and disease prevention; health problems and procedures for treatment in coordination with health and social service agencies; of *Federal, State and local laws and regulations governing school health and nursing practices. Ability to assess school community, individual and family and target the population's health care needs; to identify abnormal growth and development and symptoms of disease; to provide nursing services independently within a framework of guidelines and protocols in schools and school clinics; to communicate effectively orally and in writing; to operate a personal computer and related software and other standard office equipment; to interact with a variety of people from different cultures and backgrounds and of varying ages; to manage time efficiently and meet deadlines; to develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers.

Additional Job Requirements:

Nursing diploma from an approved nursing program, or an associate's degree in nursing; bachelor's degree in nursing preferred; two years of experience working as a Registered Nurse. Current, documented proficiency in the care of patients with chronic illnesses and the use of basic medical equipment. A valid license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the Commonwealth of Virginia. CPR/AED Certification (Healthcare Provider adult and child level); Some travel is required. Preferred: CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor Certification and National Certification as a School Nurse (NCSN).

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation
• Tuberculosis Screening/Test

Compensation
$50,626.69 - $86,045.49

Hours Per Day
8

Days Per Year
215

Benefits

Chesterfield County Public Schools offers a wide variety of benefits to employees. Benefit offerings may differ based upon full-time and part-time employee status.

Chesterfield County Public Schools assures Equal Employment Opportunities for employees as required by Federal and State Orders and Laws. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. This job description is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements. However, administration reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position and does not imply an employment contract.