GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The School Nurse Specialist provides intermediate level professional nursing services in primary, preventive and rehabilitative care to individuals and staff in a public school or community setting. Work is performed independently but in collaboration with Nurse Services Supervisor or Nurse Services Manager.
Who is the School Nurse?
- A registered nurse from the Guilford County Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health with skills in public health, mental health, and pediatric nursing
- An advocate for your child’s health and safety
- A public health nurse who understands the health laws impacting children
- A nurse educator skilled in teaching students, their parents and school staff about health
What is the role of the School Nurse?
The school nurse is part of a team of nurses within the Guilford County Department of Public Health that provides students with primary and preventive nursing care. As the health services expert in your child’s school, the school nurse takes a lead role in detecting and addressing health concerns, educating students and staff on health issues, and helping to manage the care of students with chronic illness and other special health care needs. The nurse supports student learning by working with the school, the parents, and the community.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The School Nurse Specialist II has acquired all competencies for the position. The position is performing in a lead role on a regular basis in school and community setting. The School Nurse Specialist II works closely with the Nurse Manager or Nurse Services Supervisor in the review of services and needs. Nurse provides input to school administrators pertaining to infectious/communicable diseases affecting the community. Work is distinguished at this level from the School Nurse Specialist I by regular lead roles and coordination/accountability of services provided during operations.
TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
A copy of your transcript MUST be submitted with online application. Official college transcripts required at time of hire. Please send transcripts to: Guilford County Public Health/HR, c/o Robin Reynolds, 201 South Greene Street, Greensboro, NC 27401 or attach a copy to your online application.
NURSE LICENSURE REQUIRED
A copy of nursing licensure MUST be submitted with online application. Please make sure to attach a copy to your online application.
National Certification in School Nursing is REQUIRED within three years of employment.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
What services does the School Nurse Provide?
- Chronic Disease Management and Education – Develops individual care plans and assists students with care needed during the school day for conditions such as diabetes, asthma, seizures, sickle cell, and severe allergies and provides case management for students with chronic conditions
- Pediatric Health Care Procedures – Instructs school staff in a variety of procedures such as blood glucose monitoring, the use of inhalers, Epi-Pens, catheterizations, and tube feedings
- Health Screening and Referrals – Conducts screenings such as vision, skin, scalp, orthopedic, nutrition and follows up on dental, and other screenings at the request of other professionals within the school system
- Medication Management – Monitors and manages student medications according to the Guilford County Schools medication procedure
- Immunization Monitoring and Follow-up – Prevents the spread of communicable disease by implementing immunization laws and assists public health immunization clinics to administer certain state recommended vaccines
- Infectious Disease Control and Surveillance – Screen students and refers them for medical care, investigates diagnoses reported to the school and controls outbreaks of disease
- Health Education – Promotes healthy lifestyles through the education of groups and individual students, parents, and staff
- Counseling – Advises students referred for behaviors that are a threat to health such as substance abuse and mental health concerns and makes appropriate referrals
- School Health Resource – Shares the latest information and knowledge on school health issues with school staff
- Parent/Community Involvement – Promotes parental and community involvement in assuring a healthy school, serves as a liaison between students and other community agencies
RECRUITMENT STANDARDS
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public health nursing, of measures and techniques used in the prevention of communicable diseases, and of the scope and general purpose of the program of school health.
• Considerable knowledge of the sociological aspects of community life.
• Considerable knowledge of epidemiology and preventive measures for disease.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and with other professional personnel and ancillary staff.
• Ability to interpret and explain the value of public health nursing services and to obtain individual and collective public cooperation.
• Ability to make independent nursing assessments and judgments.
• Ability to perform in physical assessment skills.
• Ability to plan, coordinate the work of others, and display strong interpersonal skills.
• Highly motivated and independent in decision making.
Compensation
Anticipated Hiring Range
(10-Month Schedule) (12-Month Schedule)
$54,403 - $67,684 (10-Month/Annualized)
(Full Range: Up to $93,065)
$67,684 - $81,221 (12-Month/Annualized)
(Full Range: Up to $111,679)
$2,603.23 - $3,123.88 (Bi-weekly)
$2,603.23 - $3,123.88 (Bi-weekly)
Equivalent of $32.54 - $39.05 / Hour
Equivalent of $32.54 - $39.05 / Hour
Minimum Qualifications:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a BS Degree in Nursing, which includes a Public Health nursing rotation;
- AND 6-12 months of professional nursing experience in a public health setting or related environment, preferably with 12 months demonstrated experience in specialty area;
- OR, an Associate's Degree (ADN);
- AND, 3 years experience in a public health setting or related environment. Experience can include education in the form of workshops, certification, and/or graduate programs related to the clinical area of specialty.
Preferred Qualifications:
National Certification in School Nursing; required within three years of employment. Pediatric Experience preferred.
NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATION:
Possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse issued by the North Carolina Board of Nursing and such other qualifications which may be prescribed by the State Department of Health.
National Certification in School Nursing; required within three years of employment.
Physical Demands and Work Conditions
- Sits, walks and stands during a workday.
- Practices good body mechanics.
- Must be able to physically perform the basic life support functions of walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.
- Must be able to lift clients (children) and objects up to 30 pounds as required for some positions.
- Must have the visual acuity to record observations and physical assessments of clients, to read and interpret test results, administer immunizations/prescription dosages, and record medical findings.
- Nurse may occasionally be in contact with difficult clients, may be exposed to infection from disease-bearing clients, and specimens, and will have periodic exposure to hazards in the field (driving, rural or inner-city settings, inclement weather, clients). Work conditions may be mildly disagreeable if working in poor home environments or with difficult clients.
May Require Driving
This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.
Special Note
This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. These documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.
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