Registered School Nurse

CAPS Collaborative seeks a Registered School Nurse to manage comprehensive school health programs in partnership with school districts. This role provides direct health services to students in an educational setting, managing screenings, health records, emergency care, and coordination with community health resources.

Responsibilities

• Assess and evaluate student health through screenings including vision, hearing, scoliosis, height and weight, and vital signs as appropriate. Review and update immunization status.
• Collect and maintain health records according to state law and school policy using computer and paper files. Obtain records of physical and dental examinations as recommended.
• Provide follow-up care for all students who fail screenings or have health problems.
• Visit program classrooms several times daily as needed.
• Coordinate health services with community health programs, including contacting physicians, dentists, and agencies serving students. Utilize available community resources.
• Promote disease prevention and control programs through parent and teacher meetings, trainings, and guest speakers for staff.
• Observe school facilities and recommend modifications to maintain health and safety for students and personnel in accordance with CDC guidelines.
• Provide emergency care for injuries or sudden illness. Teach CPR and First Aid courses to staff.
• Implement seizure protocols and act as a resource to staff, parents, and students regarding health, safety, and nutrition.
• Attend IEP meetings for students and write health reports for IEP meetings.
• Make home visits when necessary.
• Conduct in-service programs for staff and students upon request.
• Respond to frequently encountered health problems.
• Write health care plans for all students as needed.
• Attend area workshops and conferences to promote professional goals.
• Report medical information to program coordinators regarding student dismissals, seizures, bruises, illness, and classroom staff issues.
• Follow up on student absences.
• Maintain professional boundaries and ensure student and staff confidentiality within the educational team.
• Contribute to professional growth by staying informed on current literature and resources and actively participating in staff meetings and professional development.
• Assume other responsibilities as deemed important by the Executive Director.

Required Qualifications

• Current Massachusetts Nursing license
• Demonstrate professional conduct
• Ability to cope with the mental, emotional, and physical stresses of the position
• Ability to relate to and work with ill, disabled, emotionally upset, or injured students or staff
• Good general health and emotional stability
• Ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend the English language
• Ability to effectively work with staff, students, family members, visitors, governmental representatives, and the general public with flexibility, tact, patience, and enthusiasm
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant
• Willingness to seek out new methods and principles and incorporate them into existing practices

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent knowledge of nursing assessment and nursing diagnosis
• Knowledge of pediatric health issues including care of technology-dependent students
• Understanding of nursing principles, interventions, and techniques and their relation to medical practices
• Knowledge of child development and current health issues
• Understanding of developmentally age-appropriate health risk factors, mental health issues, and chronic and acute health conditions
• Knowledge of infection control, universal health precautions, and personal hygiene
• Knowledge of current laws associated with student educational placement
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, direct, and supervise licensed personnel and non-professional health personnel