AZTEC MUNICIPAL SCHOOLS

Job Description

School Nurse

Job Summary 

The school nurse will work with the school to strengthen the educational development of the student through good health and safety.  The nurse will be an advocate for nutrition, physical education & activity, health education & life skills, staff wellness, family, school & community partnership, healthy & safe environment, social & emotional sell-being, and health services for students.  The Nurse will promote optimal student health in conjunction with the staff in order to help students and their families make responsible health decisions.

Reports to:     School Health Coordinator and Director of EPO

Qualifications

1. Valid certificate as a School Nurse as established by the Public Education Department.
2. Current professional registered Nurse’s license issued by the New Mexico Board for Nursing.
3. Interest in working with students
4. Stability, maturity, and ability to recognize limitations and to accept and utilize supervision and consultation
5. Knowledge of clerical work, including computer skills and office procedures
6. Confidentiality
7. Ability to establish and maintain sound working relationships with school personnel, students and community
8. Current CPR certificate and first-aid training as provided by the school
9. Must complete a finger-print background check

Desired Qualifications

1. Knowledge of computer based health records systems
2. Knowledge of Data Driven Instructional Practices and Professional Learning Communities

Essential Functions

1. Participates in the development and implementation of district school health policies and procedures.
2. Complies with all school board policies.
3. Demonstrates leadership by working cooperatively and communicating accurately and effectively with colleagues, supervisors and administrators.
4. Implements policies and procedures regarding control of communicable disease in accordance with regulations of the State of New Mexico Department of Health.
5. Keeps records and delegates record keeping duties to health assistant as necessary. (i.e. immunizations, student health records, daily student log, and daily medication log).
6. Maintains documentation and reports of activities as required by New Mexico PED Annual Report. Submits report annually.
7. Participate in and help develop educational plans (eg. IEP, IHP and 504)
8. Help with instruction and staff training on health related issues (eg. Hand hygiene, puberty etc.).
9. AED monitoring.
10. Authorizes and documents the justification for exclusion and readmission of students in connection with infectious, contagious and nuisance diseases.
11. Supervises and delegates the duties of the health assistant as per New Mexico Board of Nursing regulation.
12. Administers and/or delegates to the unlicensed personnel and or health assistant.
13. Arranges for emergency transportation of students and staff as needed.
14. Ensures daily health room coverage during the students’ lunchtime and recess.
15. Carries out routine student health screenings as required by New Mexico PED School Health Manual and Board Policy.
16. Utilizes the NM State PED School Nurse’s Health Manual as the standard of care.
17. Makes appropriate referrals based on data obtained from assessment and screening procedures.
18. Follows up on student health problems and makes home visits as the need arises.
19. Monitors students taking daily medication at school and ensures proper documentation as per district policy.
20. Coordinates school health functions with those of the city, county and state agencies.
21. Maintains professional licensure requirements by participating in in-service trainings, workshops, conferences and continuing education.
22. Plans for and monitors health office resources (i.e. finances, personnel, facilities, health program and time management) for which he/she is responsible.
23. Participates in student registration in order to ensure proper health records are obtained (i.e. current immunization records, medication authorizations and health histories).
24. Responsible for ensuring the continuing education/training of the health assistant.
25. Performs health related tasks as deemed appropriate by his/her administrator.
26. Medicaid Billing.
27. Immunization reports as required by NMDOT.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position clinically supervises the following positions:  Health Assistant Educational Assistant

Confidentiality

Due to the sensitive nature of this position and access to financial information, the highest degree of confidentiality is required.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to eligible individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Please see Qualifications.

Communication and Language Skills 

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical procedures and governmental regulations. 
• Ability to assist with preparation of reports and correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, peers and community.

Other Skills and Abilities 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, peers and community; ability to communicate clearly and concisely. 
• Ability to use computers and other technology to accomplish job responsibilities. 
• Ability to perform tasks quickly and efficiently and follow verbal directions. 
• Ability to work around congested areas.  Ability to work a flexible work schedule around job responsibilities.

Analytical and Reasoning Ability 

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. 
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions in written, verbal or diagram form, and deal with abstract variables.

Temperaments 

• Ability to teach others, work with people and influence people in their opinions, attitudes, and judgments. 
• Ability to perform a variety of duties. 
• Ability to work with people who express conflicting opinions. 
• Ability to solve problems, make sound judgments and reach conclusions. 
• Ability to express personal feelings professionally, and perform effectively under stress.

Physical Attributes

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, talk or hear and use hands to finger, handle, type or feel.  The employee may occasionally sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

Health and Safety

• Knowledge of universal hygiene precautions
• Knowledge of safety, food handling, communicable diseases and contagious diseases
• First Aid and CPR

Equipment and Materials Handled

• (Key stone) Titmus and audiometers are carried in and out of the building
• First aid materials
• Must know how to properly operate and learn all multimedia equipment, and other current technologies.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee must possess and maintain a current driver.  The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff.

Certificates Licenses

Must possess a New Mexico School Nurse’s License from New Mexico Public Education Department

Must posses a New Mexico Registered Nurse’s License

Terms of Employment

Appropriate placement on the Salary Schedule and the Aztec School District Calendar.

Evaluation

Performance of duties will be evaluated at least annually in accordance with Aztec School Board Policy.

Physical Rating Level

This position will require the employee to function at a “Medium” physical capacity as defined by Worker’s Compensation Statutes.  “Medium” physical capacity indicates the ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally or up to 25 pounds frequently.

Physical Requirement Details

Definitions:     R = Rarely = 1% to 9% of an 7.5 hour day

                        O = Occasionally = 10% to 33% of a 7.5 hour day

                        F = Frequently = 34% to 66% of a 7.5 hour day

                        C = Continuously = 67% to 100% of a 7.5 hour day

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work expected.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in this job classification.         

UPDATED 2/2020