Primary Purpose:

Assist the health services director with implementation of a comprehensive health service program; provide health services to students; promote health education and preventive health practices for students.

Minimum Qualifications

Education/Certification:             

• Graduate of an accredited vocational nursing program
• Valid Texas Vocational Nurse License
• AHA CPR – Certified Instructor within one year of employment
• Certified by Texas Department of State Health Services to conduct vision, hearing, and spinal screening or within 6 months of employment
• Certified through UTPA Border Health Office to conduct type II diabetes screenings

Required Experience:

One year of Pediatric health or community health experience preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required)

Professionalism

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Instructional Management

The campus nurse promotes improvement of instruction through activities such as the following: 

• Provides routine and emergency care for sick and injured students according to district policy and procedures. Serve as health advocate for students.
• Administers medications according to district policy and procedures.
• Provides prescribed medical treatments to students.
• Provides health counseling and instruction on an individual basis.
• Participates in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee (ARD) as needed or requested. 

Organization Improvement

The campus nurse promotes efforts to improve the school or organization through activities such as the following: 

• Maintains Health Services daily staffing for district campuses and acquire replacement substitutes as needed. 
• Assists RN with continuing evaluation of the campus health program and implement changes based on the findings.
• Maintains immunization compliance as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Education Agency and district policy.
• Assists RN with assessment of student health problems and make appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, and the medical and health care community as needed.
• Maintains and file all reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records, and accurate updated health records on all students.

Communication and Community Relations

The campus nurse promotes a positive tone for school or community relations through activities such as the following: 

• Notifies parents of accident or illness and secure medical care for students in emergency cases (if parents or emergency contact cannot be reached).
• Reports potential health and safety hazards to principal.
• Communicates regularly with principal and health services coordinator regarding health services issues. 

Personnel Relations/Management

The campus nurse manages personnel effectively through activities such as the following: 

• Assists in training unlicensed assistant personnel in the delivery of certain medical procedures under the direction of the RN in accordance with Nursing Practice Act. 

Organization Management

The campus nurse manages administrative, fiscal, and facilities functions responsibly through activities such as the following: 

• Maintains district-wide CPR and First Aid instruction to include the purchasing, inventory and repair of training equipment. 
• Maintains annual district-wide student health screening calendar and associated screener training/screening facilitation. 
• Maintains district AED’s to include management of current supplies, purchase of new supplies, and programming updates. 
• Performs screening procedures as directed by the health services director and make referrals as necessary.
• Participates in assessment and reporting of suspected child abuse.
• Reviews and evaluate immunization records.
• Demonstrates behavior that is ethical and responsible.
• Requisitions supplies and equipment needed to maintain clinic inventory.
• Keeps nurse’s office clean and sanitary. 

Professional Growth and Development

The campus nurse participates in professional growth and development through activities such as the following: 

• Maintains district-wide CPR and First Aid instruction to include training delivery and associated documentation/reports.
• Maintains certification in CPR, vision, hearing, and spinal screening.
• Participates in staff development training programs, faculty meetings, and special events as assigned to improve job performance.
• Assists Health Services with planning and facilitating professional development for health services staff and district staff as needed. 

Qualities of Effective Campus Nurse

The campus nurse exhibits qualities such as the following: 

• Daily attendance and punctuality at work are essential functions of the job.
• Follows established safety procedures and techniques to perform job duties, including lifting, climbing, etc.
• Corrects unsafe conditions in work area and report any conditions that are not correctable to supervisor immediately.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Complies with District policies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations.
• Complies with the standards of conduct as set out in Board Policy DH (Legal) and (Local) and with any other policies, regulations, and guidelines that impose duties, requirements, or standards.
• Complies with policies established by federal and state law, Texas Department of State Health Services rules, State Board of Education rules, and board policy in the area of health services. 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Assist in the supervision of health screeners operating in the district. 

Equipment:

• Thermometer, blood pressure cuff, audiometer, otoscope, sphygmomanometer, health screening equipment, basic clinic equipment, student medical equipment, personal computer, fax machine, scanner, copier, and telephone.

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors: 

• Work irregular and extended work hours to include holidays and weekends
• Work with frequent interruptions and maintain emotional control under stress
• Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, walking, pushing and pulling, regular lifting of loads up to and including 50 pounds
• Exposure to biological hazards, bacteria, and communicable diseases
• May require feeding, diapering, and caring for severely handicapped students.