School Nurse

Job Summary 

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Head of School, Operations & Admissions, the School Nurse will oversee the day-to-day operations of the school clinic, including administration of basic first aid, assessment of student physical complaints, student medication administration, and daily documentation of student visits to maintain accurate electronic student health records. The School Nurse will demonstrate a respectful, professional approach modeling Cornerstone Christian Academy values in all interactions with students, staff, teachers, administrators, parents, and community partners.

He/she will implement and abide by all CCA student health protocols, CCA policies and procedures, and HIPAA protocols; consistently follow established communication protocols; and, demonstrate professional communication skills and calm demeanor when caring for students and interfacing with administration, security, and health professionals. The School Nurse will adhere to high ethical standards and exemplify Christian behavior with an obvious positive approach apparent in attitude, speech, student care, and actions toward others.

As a Christian role model, the School Nurse must exhibit patience, grace, humility, and integrity when working with administration, faculty, students, and parents. He/she must have a strong, active, and committed relationship with Jesus Christ, a willingness to lead and serve with a humble heart, a passion for Christian education, and a calling to serve at Cornerstone Christian Academy. 

Minimum Qualifications

Education

·      Bachelor of Science Degree, Nursing (CCNE accredited university program). 

Experience 

·      Four years of full-time inpatient clinical experience in a relevant field of practice.

·      Two or more years in a school setting preferred.

Certifications / Licenses

·      Current licensure as a Registered Nurse in good standing, Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Nursing. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

·      Excellent written and oral communication skills.

·      Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively and tactfully communicate with leadership, peers, faculty, students, parents, and volunteers.

·      Demonstrates a willingness to learn and implement the operation of a school clinic.

·      Able to assess the needs of students and staff and plan and implement an effective program including appropriate interventions.

·      Conduct professional development for staff on CPR, First Aid, AED, etc. as needed.

·      Able to successfully manage everyday stress with objectivity and optimism. 

Technologies

·      Must be skilled at current technology and its applications within the school and be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Physical Capabilities

·      Able to stand and walk for a portion of the day; speak and hear clearly; operate a computer and other office equipment; reach with hands and arms; bend, stoop, and twist; and lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

·      Able to assist students both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

·      Able to walk up and down stairs. 

Personal Characteristics

·      Affirms CCA’s Articles of Faith.

·      Faithfully attends a local, Bible-believing church that has a statement of faith in agreement with CCA’s Articles of Faith.

·      Is deeply committed to a consistent daily walk with Jesus Christ.

·      Able to recognize the role of parents as primarily responsible before God for their children’s education and prepared to assist them in that task.

·      Able to manage everyday stress with objectivity and optimism.

·      Adheres to high ethical standards and exemplifies Christian behavior in attitude, speech, and actions toward others.

·      Demonstrates understanding of how to work with students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds.

·      Maintains a modest, professional, and clean personal appearance consistent with school policy. 

Work Hours / Travel

·      Work week is consistent with standard school schedule of Monday through Friday with occasional work in the evenings or on weekends for special school events and activities.

·      School-related travel as necessary. 

Job Functions and Tasks 

Essential Functions

·      Ensure all students visiting the clinic are registered through appropriate health database with a clinic referral from their teacher to be excused from class.

·      Assess student physical complaint(s) and accurately record all clinic visits, including entry and exit data, student complaint(s), vital signs, assessments, disposition of the student, and all communications with parents, medical providers, administration, security, and ancillary personnel.

·      Record student symptoms and complaints in health database refer student to parents for further assessment and diagnosis by the student’s personal physician or health care provider.

·      Administer basic first aid for minor injuries (i.e., cuts, scrapes, bruises), consistent with proper stewardship principles, and expedite the student’s return to class. 

·      Provide accurate communication of presenting student complaints or symptoms to parents (and/or student’s personal health care provider if requested by parent), refraining from opinions, advice, recommendations, or attempting to formulate a diagnosis.

·      In an abundance of caution, to prevent any unknown adverse effects or interference with diagnostic studies that may be needed following a clinic visit, bottled water is the only drink, snack, or food item to be dispensed through the clinic, or by clinic personnel.

·      Provide immediate communication of student health concerns to respective Principal for any follow up communication or meetings with parents.

·      Apprise Principals of student medical needs, injuries, and/or significant medical events requiring care outside the scope of basic first aid or scheduled student medication administration.

·      Follow established communication protocols for urgent student medical events.

·      Contact parents when students are ill or injured and require parent intervention for further care.

·      Initiate basic CPR according to American Heart Association/American Academy of Pediatrics protocols, as required prior to arrival of professional emergency personnel.

·      Administer appropriate medications for suspected allergic reactions consistent with American Academy of Pediatrics, and Virginia Department of Health standards of care.

·      Register all student medications received from the parent/student in health database and maintain accurate inventory/safe storage of all medications.

·      Maintain accurate and timely parental consents for student medication administration in health database, including both over the counter and prescription medications.

·      Dispense prescription medications to students in accordance with written instructions from the prescribing physician and applicable standards of practice for medication administration.

·      Maintain accurate medication administration records through health database.

·      Conduct student hearing and vision screenings as directed by Assistant Head of School, Operations and Admissions.

·      Maintain vaccination and student health records in health database electronic health records.

·      Maintain emergency preparedness and safety procedures consistent with established protocols under the direction of the Assistant Head of School, Operations and Admissions.

·      Adhere to emergency response communication protocols in the event of an immediate, life-threatening safety event.

·      Provide professional development for staff on CPR, First Aid, AED, and MAT as requested by Assistant Head of School, Operations and Admissions.

·      Demonstrate appropriate developmental age-related approach to care of students K- grade 12, integrating a Biblical worldview perspective in all interactions, refraining from material rewards for clinic visits.

·      Maintain a clean, attractive, well-organized workstation and clinic environment.

·      Provide written request for new, and/or replenishment of clinic supplies directly to Assistant Head of School, Operations and Admissions.

·      Observe standard precaution and infection prevention measures to minimize incidental transfer of infection/disease.

·      Demonstrate a willingness to learn and implement proper operation of a school clinic, including risk management and safety protocols.

·      Participate in additional assigned duties as requested by the Assistant Head of School, Operations and Admissions.

·      Participate in appropriate in-service and All-Staff meetings as requested.

·      Submit all written communication and printed materials for posting or distribution to administration for approval, prior to dissemination to students, parents, teachers, and staff.