Youth Health School Nurse Position - Energetic Workplace

HPSS SCHOOL NURSE POSITION DESCRIPTION 

Registered Nurse working in a Secondary School Based Health Centre 

Purpose of the position: 

To meet the needs of school students using contemporary nursing care which is safe, appropriate, and effective. The care is based on comprehensive assessment, ensures continuity, and is patient-centred, culturally sensitive, and evidence ­based.  

This will be achieved by the provision of onsite health services and will incorporate: co­ordinating appropriate follow-­up the provision of health services to all students within the nursing scope of practice, ­ referral to health and social agencies for appropriate health and social interventions, ­ supporting the delivery of health services to students by other health professionals, ­ supporting students to take responsibility for their own health care and promoting the appropriate use of health services. 

School-Based Registered Nurse Scope of Practice: 

Secondary school-based registered nurses utilise nursing knowledge and complex nursing judgment to assess health needs.  They provide care and advise and support people in managing their health. They practice independently and in collaboration with other health professionals, perform general nursing functions and delegate to and direct first aiders and others. They provide comprehensive nursing assessments to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated plan of health care, and provide nursing interventions that require substantial scientific and professional knowledge and skills. This occurs in a range of settings in partnership with individuals, families, whanau and the school community. Registered nurses may practise in a variety of clinical contexts depending on their educational preparation and practice experience. Registered Nurses may also use this expertise to manage, teach, evaluate and research nursing practice. There will be conditions placed on the scope of practice of some registered nurses according to their qualifications or experience limiting them to a specific area of practice. (Adapted from Nursing Council of New Zealand, 2004) 

Key accountabilities. 

Management of nursing care: 

• obtain consent for delivering health services within the nursing scope of practice 
• carry out holistic health assessments on students and opportunistic assessments of other high-need students as needed
• use advanced nursing knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate student health needs 
• provide direct nursing care for students, staff and visitors to achieve best health outcomes 
• educate and provide information to students/whanau to improve their knowledge of health services 
• refer students to appropriate health, school and social services and ensure they receive appropriate follow-up
• provide services and resources that are culturally sensitive and respectful of family values and diversity 
• address the unique needs of adolescents with complex health concerns and chronic illnesses and disabilities 
• facilitate the development of onsite health services to meet student health needs e.g. mental health, oral health, sexual health, drug and alcohol support, healthy living 
• contribute to the development of integrated service delivery across the continuum of care; linking young people to primary care and other relevant youth health and social services using referral systems 
• accurately document assessment of student’s health status, diagnosis and decisions made regarding interventions and referrals or follow­up 
• apply critical reasoning and professional judgment to nursing practice issues/ decisions 
• role model culturally safe nursing practice 

Interpersonal relationships: 

• work in collaboration with student support services, such as school counsellors and social workers, student health council, whanau and external health and social agencies to co­ordinate services to meet student health and social needs 
• work closely with education staff to identify and assist students with health concerns
• encourage active participation of students in relation to health care and prevention activities 
• provide ongoing communication with the school and wider local community to help raise student and parent awareness of services available and how to access them 
• work with school initiatives that promote youth development and youth-supportive philosophy e.g. Restorative Justice, Kick It, GoodSpace.
• establish effective relationships and ongoing liaison with appropriate health and social services 

Interprofessional healthcare and quality improvement: 

• evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and safety of clinical practice 
• participate in the implementation of nursing models of care appropriate to youth health needs 
• assist in the revision and development of best practice clinical standards/guidelines

policies that are research-based and facilitate clinical audit processes 

• demonstrate commitment to quality improvements, risk management and resource utilisation 
• collect statistical information and evaluation from students, whānau, communities and staff to help identify health needs and enable review and update of health care provided
• participate in case review and debriefing activities as required, identify situations of clinical risk and take appropriate actions to ensure a safe environment for students, whanau and staff 
• record-keeping is accurate and reports are provided as required 
• participate in health projects and national initiatives as appropriate

Professional responsibility: 

• practice in accordance with legal, ethical, culturally safe and professional standards, including the Privacy Act, Medicines Act and Regulations, Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 and the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1997, Care of Children Act 2004, Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights (1996) 
• develop specialist skills and knowledge in youth health including undertaking appropriate post­graduate study and/or professional development 
• pro­actively participates in own performance development and review 
• attend training and clinical supervision sessions to maintain competencies
• complete regular CPR and first aid updates 
• work toward endorsement with the NCNZ to give Emergency Contraceptive Pill 
• attend educational opportunities/conferences relevant to secondary school nursing role and working with young people 
• foster inquiry and critical thinking amongst colleagues to advance nursing practice and patient/client care 
• participate in peer review/feedback 

Person specifications: 

• Essential Desired Education and Qualifications 
• Registration with Nursing Council of New Zealand and evidence that they are competent to practice within the Registered Nurse scope of practice 
• Current First Aid certificate 
• Able to provide ECP 
• CPR training 
• Computer skills with a familiarity of Kamar as bonus
• Postgraduate certificate/diploma in youth health or willing to work toward an appropriate postgraduate qualification Experience/ Knowledge 
• Experience working with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds and an understanding of Maori and Pacific cultures and beliefs 
• Evidence of advanced level of clinical skills, competency and leadership able to be demonstrated in a professional portfolio 
• Knowledge of quality improvement processes and principles 
• Knowledge and understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and implications in nursing practice 
• Knowledge of health service provision/services 
• Knowledge of Nursing Code of Conduct, and legislative requirements
• Knowledge of nursing professional development issues 
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and advocacy 
• Experience working with young people in a school setting 
• Research skills including data analysis and critical appraisal skills and clinical audit
• Previous experience as a senior-level nurse in a clinical or nursing management role
• Strategic planning and policy development skills
• Understanding of Government health policy 
• Experience in Health Promotion Personal Attributes 
• An interest and respect for working with young people 
• Strong organisational skills, able to manage conflicting priorities 
• Self­-confidence and the ability to work with internal and external clients and organisations 
• Is proactive and displays initiative 
• Reliable 
• Non­ judgemental, empathetic 
• Able to work as an autonomous practitioner in a multidisciplinary team 
• Is able to work with others, to draw together a range of perspectives 
• Sets high personal standards and strives to achieve stretching goals 
• Displays drive and energy and persists in overcoming obstacles 
• Expresses information effectively, both orally and in writing, adjusts language and style to the recipients and considers their frame of reference 
• Actively listens, drawing out information and checking understanding
• Empathises with others and considers their needs and feelings
• Able to utilize computerized healthcare systems to efficiently manage patient records and medical information.