School Nurse - Carson Junior High

Mesa Public Schools is seeking a School Nurse for Carson Junior High to enhance the educational process through promotion and maintenance of student health. The school nurse will carry out functions requiring nursing judgment, use initiative based on nursing experience, and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues in health, education, and related professional fields.

Clinical Setting

The majority of work is conducted in a designated nurse's office or health clinic within a school environment. You will have daily interaction with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and occasionally healthcare providers. The school environment can be noisy, especially during recess or transitions between classes. You will have frequent exposure to contagious diseases, requiring strict hygiene practices. You must be able to move around the school campus quickly during emergencies and occasionally lift or assist students with mobility challenges (up to 50 lbs).

Responsibilities

• Plan health programs in coordination with the administrator, including health curriculum, disease prevention, and promotion/maintenance of student health
• Conduct student health screening programs to assess physical, mental, and emotional health
• Administer appropriate medications to students according to district policies and procedures, with knowledge of medication use, action, contraindications, and side effects
• Coordinate health services information among home, school, private physicians, clinics, and other community agencies
• Assist teachers in planning health curriculum by providing valid resource materials and presenting classroom demonstrations relevant to healthful living
• Interpret and alert staff to school health laws, health trends, and school health problems
• Utilize assessment skills to plan and provide care for ill and injured students and staff; develop nursing care plans for special needs students
• Assist parents/guardians with health-related referral resources
• Collect social and developmental history information for student evaluations and participate in Medicaid billing when appropriate
• Provide health counseling for students to encourage and maintain optimum health practices
• Function as a member of the school child abuse team and other district intervention teams as directed by the site administrator
• Function as a member of the school safety committee and serve as a resource to maintenance, cafeteria, and other services involved in maintaining a healthful physical environment
• Maintain accurate health documentation and continuous required health records
• Compile accurate yearly reports documenting student encounters and nursing activities; provide results to district health services
• Maintain professional growth through continuing education and support of professional organizations
• Supervise health assistants while on site
• Implement state and district guidelines for control of communicable disease, including state rules for immunization compliance
• Adhere to all Professional Standards set forth by Mesa Public Schools and the Arizona State Board of Nursing
• Assist with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in nursing including public health nursing, theory and practice
• Valid Arizona Registered Nurse License
• Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Experience in school nursing or public health nursing

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in caring for children and adolescents, often in clinical or hospital settings
• Experience in public health or community settings to address broader health concerns and educational outreach

Skills and Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with students, parents, and staff
• Proficiency in identifying, assessing, and managing acute and chronic health conditions
• Organizational skills to handle medical records and compliance with state health regulations
• Knowledge of mental health support, immunization protocols, and emergency response
• Ability to respond promptly to medical emergencies, including first aid and CPR
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, school staff, and healthcare providers
• Ability to provide clear and compassionate guidance on sensitive health issues
• Ability to work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including teachers, counselors, and parents
• Ability to lead initiatives to improve school health policies and practices
• Ability to train staff in basic first aid, allergy awareness, and emergency preparedness
• Proficiency with electronic health records (EHR) systems and school management software

Schedule and Employment

• Full-time position
• Certified Exempt, 187 workdays

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary: $55,886.00
• Performance pay available annually
• New Hire Experience: $500 for each full-time year of certified teaching or verified like experience
• New Hire Education: $65 per hour of graduate level credits (BA +45 hours max, MA +60 hours max); $1,000 for advanced degrees
• Sick leave
• Holidays
• Matched retirement through the Arizona State Retirement System
• Health and life insurance

Application Requirements

Candidates must complete an online application which requires appropriate Arizona certification, valid IVP Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card, evidence of highly qualified status, three letters of recommendation, and transcript of credits.