Policies Middletown Public Schools School Nurse-Teacher

SCHOOL NURSE-TEACHER MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 1. Current license to practice professional nursing in RI.

2. Appropriate Rhode Island Certificate in Health Education.

3. A minimum of 3 years experience in the practice of nursing, preferably within a school setting or with children or adolescents.

4. A course in Physical Assessment (preferred). 5. Demonstrated ability to work with administrators,

colleagues, parents and students in a high stress situation. 6. Knowledge of curriculum standards, performance

assessment and standards-based units. 7. Commitment to Certificate of Initial Mastery initiatives. 8. Demonstrate good oral and written communication skills. 9. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills.

10. Positive attitude. 11. Successful interview (priority). 12. Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the

Screening Committee may find appropriate. REPORTS TO: School Principal

EVALUATION BY: Director of Health and Physical Education JOB GOALS: The primary responsibility of the school nurse/teacher is to focus on student and school health issues that effect student’s safety and ability to learn during the school day. She/he is responsible for health promotion, prevention of illness and promotion of a healthy environment for students through health assessment for early detection of health problems, referral to primary health care providers, health education and assessment of the school environment. She/he collaborates with school administration, students, parents, teachers, other school nurse/teachers, the school physician and community health providers. COMPENSATION: As Per Contract PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: The school nurse/teacher’s responsibilities include the following in the areas of health services, health education and school health environment.

A. HEALTH SERVICES: 1. Participate in development of school district health standards, policies and procedures. 2. Nursing assessment of student immunization and tuberculosis status. 3. Screen for deviant health findings (e.g., vision, hearing, dental and scoliosis as outlined

in School Health Regulations, State of Rhode Island). 4. Reinforce student positive self-health management measures. 5. Individual nursing assessment and intervention for stabilization /resolution of student

urgent health concerns as related to illness/injury or altered health status. 6. Nursing management of students with chronic or on-going health problems in

cooperation with students, parents and community health care providers, including administration of medications in school.

7. Nursing management for students with medically fragile conditions i.e., special education students, diabetics, etc.

8. Provide direct clinical nursing services, treatment and support necessary for technology-dependent students to attend school.

9. Crisis intervention and referral for students with psycho-social problems. 10. Referral to community providers for diagnosis and resolution of any deviant health

finding. 11. Referral to community health care providers for diagnosis and resolution of students

with, mental health, alcohol or drug crisis. 12. Nursing management of school personnel emergencies, mental health issues and alcohol

or drug crisis. 13. Interpret the health status of students to parents and school personnel. 14. Individual health education of students and school personnel for enhancing self-health

management. 15. Education of school personnel and students in appropriate health management

measures including administration of emergency medications (i.e. Epi-pens or glucose for diabetics).

16. Health counseling and follow-up for non-acute health problems of students. 17. Participate as health consultant member of student assessment and evaluation teams as

needed for special education students or other student experiencing learning difficulty, i.e., MDT, CAST, 504.

18. Make recommendations within the school team regarding student health needs at school.

19. Participate as health consultant for school personnel regarding personal health issues affecting their ability to perform in the school setting.

20. Develop and implement health plans and procedures. 21. Maintain a confidential cumulative health record for each student. 22. Develop and implement the nursing component of an IEP or 504 for students

determined eligible by the multidisciplinary team or 504 team.

B. HEALTH EDUCATION:

1. Participate in health curriculum planning and evaluation. 2. Provide individual and class health instruction for students. 3. Serve as a health information resource/consultant for teachers by suggesting materials

and activities which support and enhance the health education curriculum. 4. Provide health information for school personnel through in-service training programs. 5. Serve as a health information resource for students, school personnel and parents.

6. Promote self-care and wellness among students and school personnel. 7. Interprets health information for students, school personnel and parents. C. SCHOOL HEALTH ENVIRONMENT: 1. Assess the school physical facilities and activities for safety features or hazards. 2. Keep data on school related injuries. 3. Promote control of communicable diseases. 4. Maintain first aid kits for school field trips. 5. Collaborate with school administrators and school physician/dentist regarding school,

home and community health issues affecting students and school personnel. 6. Make recommendations for improvement of the school health environment. 7. Serve as a member of crisis intervention team. D. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: 1. Provide professional liaison between the Middletown Public Schools and State, Regional

and National Professional nursing and health education organizations. 2. Participate in professional on-going, continuing education. 3. Maintain the ethics of the profession. First Reading, August 20, 1998 Second Reading, September 17, 1998