Description
The READS Collaborative Nurse is responsible for daily assessment, nursing and supportive care of all DHH Program students throughout their school day, specifically those housed at the DHH Building located at 399 Old Colony Rd. Norton, MA. They will also travel between the Norton Public Schools as needed. The READS Collaborative nurse is expected to provide nursing care to the students as directed by physician’s order, nursing scope of practice and policy and procedures of READS Health Service Manual, in order to maintain the student’s health, well-being and safety while supporting the student’s participation in their educational experiences.
It is expected that the READS Collaborative Nurse will care for the students assigned to them in a manner that supports the function of the classroom or activity in which the student is participating. In order to support the classroom environment, professional conduct is expected. This includes following all READS policies, maintaining a focus on the medical health care and participatory support of the assigned students and keeping non-essential adult conversation to a minimum.
Reports to: Program Director/Assistant Program Director, Executive Director
Terms of Employment
Non-Bargaining Unit Position
Work Year: 183 days / Full time
Sick Days: As per employment agreement
Personal Days: As per employment agreement
Bereavement Days: As per employment agreement
Rate of Pay: As voted by the READS Board of Directors - $61,951 - $89,671 (Bachelor's) or $65,318 - $98,182 Master's (based upon experience)
Requirements
Qualifications
Valid and current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts.
Bachelor’s Degree required
Minimum of two years of nursing experience in community health or child health
Experience with children with complex medical needs
Maintain certification in CPR/FA from a recognized provider, i.e. American Heart Association or American Red Cross
Willing to work as a member of a team that includes educators, assistants, school adjustment counselors, administrators and support personnel
Proficient in the use of technology as it relates to job responsibilities
Functional ASL (American Sign Language) skills would be preferred, but not required as there are ASL interpreters on staff.
Performance Responsibilities:
I. Currency in School Health
The school nurse demonstrates competency in the area of school health.
1. Has an appropriate in-depth knowledge of school nursing practice
2. Acts as a health resource person for students, colleagues, and parents
3. Contributes to the ongoing evaluation of the health services program
4. Keeps current in the field and applies knowledge to the health care of students and staff
5. Demonstrates an interest in and concern for the prevention of disease and promotion of health
Assessment of illness and injury of students and staff throughout the school day
Treatment of illness and injury
Monitoring illness in medical waiting room
Diabetic care to students, monitoring blood sugar, calculating carbohydrates at meal time, monitoring and treating for hypo and hyperglycemia
Assisting Emergency Medical personnel when called to school for assistance
Notifying parent
Notifying provider
Documentation in electronic health record
Communication with parents
For medication or treatment orders,
Illness +/or injury notification and recommendations for continued monitoring or referral to provider for further assessment as needed
Followup on health and injury issues
Medication changes
Medication refills or new orders (both continue and discontinue orders)
Updated physicals and immunizations records
Documentation of communication in electronic health record
Communication with providers
Immunization records requests
Medication orders
Behavioral Health Report Cards: compile data and fax to both parent and provider with each academic term
Documentation of communication in electronic health record
Updates provided to provider, requested by provider on medication effectiveness separately from Behavioral Health Report Cards
Securing Emergency Action Plans
Communication/Meetings with Department of Public Health
Communicates with Host School Nurse according to READS Collaborative Nurses’ Job Responsibilities and Protocols.
Medications
Assisting with arrivals for students and dispensing meds to students
Keep accurate medication records, ie orders, order changes and discontinuations
Document medications in electronic health record
Create Medication Administration Plans (MAPs) for each medication of each student and amend changes as needed
Communicate with parents
regarding protocol of starting medications at school
requests for delivery of refills of medications
changes in medications, ie dosage change, medication list updates, discontinuation of medication
Schedules AED Maintenance
Schedules Biohazard pick up
Assists in revision and updates to Health Service Manual
Participates in Emergency Response Team and Wellness Committee
II. Effective Planning and Assessment of Student Health Status
A. The school nurse plans for and maintains health care needs effectively.
Uses resources, including technologies, that are appropriately matched to nursing intervention and to individual student health needs
Seeks out and collaborates with other school based nurses, specialists, and administrators to better design modifications to meet the special health needs of students
Plans for students to increase responsibility for their own health needs
B. The school nurse provides effective assessment of student health status.
1. Compares intended and actual health outcomes
2. Schedules time for interaction with the student regarding health issues
3. Regularly provides feedback to students on their progress
4. Implements innovative approaches to health assessment
a. Compose and maintain health plans, distribute to parents/guardians and providers:
Individual Health Care Plans (IHCP)
Medication Action Plans (MAP),
Behavioral Health Report Cards (BHRC),
Medical Emergency Action Plans,
Diabetes Medical Management Plans,
Health and Safety Plans
Health Management Plans
5. Keeps parents/guardians, providers, and staff informed of the student's health status.
Provides health education to the staff for the student’s health care plan while working with them collaboratively to meet the total health needs of the student.
III. Effective Instruction
A. The school nurse communicates effectively with students.
1. Implements clear health care objectives and communicates these to students through interpreter as needed
2. Promotes students’ independence as learners with regard to health issues
3. Identifies confusions and misconceptions as indicated by student responses and regular assessment strategies to health care. Remediates, re-teaches, or extend teaching to meet individual and/or group health needs
4. Has enthusiasm for school nursing and preventive health care and makes significant efforts to communicate that enthusiasm to students and colleagues
5. Communicates clearly in writing and speaking, using precise language
6. Understands and demonstrates to students the relevance of their health status to their life
B. 1. The school nurse uses appropriate instructional techniques.
Uses a variety of strategies for individualized health teaching
Uses appropriate materials to reinforce health care needs to accommodate learning styles
Encourages students to summarize important health knowledge and to integrate it with prior knowledge
Demonstrates a working knowledge of current school nursing research
C. The school nurse establishes a positive health room environment
D. The school nurse maintains and models appropriate standards of behavior, mutual respect and safety.
E. The school nurse strives to incur equitable treatment and care of all students.
Demonstrates sensitivity to differences in gender, social and cultural backgrounds
Develops and implements health programs that are effective in meeting the needs of a diverse student body.
F. The school nurse demonstrates continuing concern for professionalism.
Seeks out information and is receptive to suggestions for growth and improvement
Works collaboratively with other staff members to implement appropriate nursing programs and non-classroom activities/programs/committees
Shares expertise and new ideas with colleagues
Works constructively with others to identify school health problems and suggest possible solutions.
Meets deadlines and fulfills routine responsibilities
Observes established school system policies and procedures
Participates in appropriate self-development activities such as conferences, in-service training and professional development.
Maintains appropriate professional behaviors in all interactions with students, parents, and colleagues.
READS Collaborative Protocols
Report all emergencies immediately to the Program Director.
Report all non-emergent concerns to the classroom teacher or Program Director.
Monitor students’ health as needed or as directed by physician’s order.
Support the students in all activities of the school day as directed by the teacher.
Collaborate with academy staff, providers, agencies, colleagues, parents and/guardians to provide an equitable learning experience for the students.
Collaborate with classroom staff to provide a safe, healthy and confidential learning environment for the students.
Maintain health records specific to the students in accordance with the Department of Public Health in the State of Massachusetts.
Acts as the MA Department of Public Health contact on all matters relating to the administration of medication and health in a school setting.
Any additional responsibilities as determined by the Executive Director
Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
Must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with staff and students, as well as providers and interagencies, parents/guardians to perform all duties as assigned, and be physically fit to provide appropriate care for students.
