Registered Nurse (RN) - School RN
Rockford Public Schools
Rockford, IL

Certified School Nurse (2024-25 School Year)

ROCKFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT #205 Job Description Job Title: Registered Nurse - 4 _____________________________________________________________________ Job Code: 9685 Department: Special Education Department - Health Services Supervisor: Health Services Supervisor Date: FLSA Status: Exempt ______________________________________________________________________ PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: The primary function of the school nurse is to service the health needs of the school site, relative to both personal attention and in-service trainings. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. In addition to the requirements listed below, regular attendance is an essential function of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. * Ensures that all actions are in concert with the Board policies as well as the mission statement, beliefs, objectives and parameters found in the Board's strategic plan. * Carries out such additional duties as required or as conditions necessitate. * Participates in job training and professional growth opportunities in order to enhance ability to perform the essential functions of the job. * Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring an efficient and effective work environment. * Administration of the School Health Program * Responsible for student health assessments and delivery of first aid in accordance with established policy and procedures. * Participates in the formulation of policies, standards, and objectives of the school Health program. * Assists in planning the school health budget. * Compiles monthly and annual records, reports, and statistical information for appraisal and planning of the school health program. * Informs school personnel informed about concerns, and acquaints them with resources of the community. * Plans with school administrator and medical authority regarding policies and procedures for excluding and readmitting pupils and staff members for reasons of health. * Works with advisory groups such as parent/teacher organizations, pupil and staff groups on school health program. * Responsible for the prevention, promotion, and education of health needs/concerns of students. * Administers medication in compliance with state and board policies. * Performs special procedures to students as ordered by physician in accordance with standard medical practice. * Nurse's role as a faculty member * Participates in faculty meetings, PPS team, health service staff meetings, and in parents' meetings as requested. * Participates in curriculum planning and evaluation in the school and serves as a resource person in the area of health to teachers and other personnel. * Serves as a member on committees concerned with safety and emotional, mental, physical and social health. * Nurses role as it relates to the community * Interprets health and social needs and resources to school and community groups. * Interprets school program, facilities, and policies to families and community. * Promotes and fosters intercommunication with professionals and the community for the well-being of pupils. * Communicates with parents, staff, and makes appropriate referrals to outside health care agencies regarding individual health needs of students. * Conducts or participates in planning and carrying out epidemiological investigations. * Nurses role relating to health appraisal * Maintains a daily log of student visits to health office and makes appropriate documentation on individual health card. * Assumes responsibility for screening procedures: hearing, vision, ADD/ADHD (if appropriate). * Observes, evaluates, and reports to physician the pupil's health status, reaction at school to drugs or treatments being ordered by the physician; interprets to the physician those factors in the school environment that might affect the pupil's condition. * Responsible to ensure accurate computerized data entry in regards to immunization dates, health examination, and medical condition codes. * Nurses role relating to counseling and guidance * Consults with parents in their homes or at school regarding the health of their children. Helps the family accept responsibility for providing care, evaluating the urgency and complexity of the needs as a basis for action or referral. * Encourages attitudes and action that will promote optimum growth and development for each individual. * Helps pupils to accept and adjust positively to their physical, mental and social limitations; helps parents and school personnel understand and accept children with these limitations. * Maintains and uses cumulative health records of all pupils. * Maintains lines of communication with teachers and other school personnel in order that cooperative action will meet the needs of pupils. * Nurses role relating to health education * Utilizes health services as a means of direct and indirect teaching to students in regards to first aid, health concerns, and health awareness. * Whenever necessary plans with school personnel and parent teacher organizations for educational programs designed to inform pupils and others about community health projects being initiated * Responsible for growth and development instruction to the 5th and 6th grade elementary population, to include AIDS education to 6th grade, Eye Spy, Dental Care, etc. * Cooperate with local colleges and universities to provide internships and community health experiences for interested students. * Collaborate with building administrator to provide mandatory staff education programs. * Nurses role relating to health protection and safety * Participates in formulating policies for the care of pupils who become ill or who are injured at school. * Observes the school environment for safety hazards and sanitary conditions and reports to responsible persons. * Participates in the formulation of policies and procedures for the control of communicable disease within the school taking into consideration local health department regulations; interprets these policies and procedures to school personnel, parents, and pupils. * Interprets the scope and significance of immunizations to school personnel, parents, and pupils. * Ensure completion of accident reports for students/staff, in compliance with board policy, and submit monthly reports for statistical purposes. * School nurses role relating to the special education process * Identifies students eligible for Special Education Services within each building to ensure compliance with state vision/hearing mandates, and other services as required. * Obtains pertinent medical information and completes health histories for students involved in the special education process. * Communicates effectively with parents, staff, and students to convey identified health needs for each special education student. * Completes necessary paperwork involved in the Special education process, including: MDC's, IEP's, OHI referrals, PH referrals, OT/PT referrals, Vision Impaired referrals, or Hearing-Impaired referrals, health care plans, 504 plans, etc. * Assumes other duties as delegated by Health Services Supervisor, who may make adjustments in the above-outlined scope of responsibilities. QUALIFICATIONS: * Must be a professional registered nurse within the State of Illinois * Meet the requirements for school nurse as defined by the Illinois Board of Education (Type 73 Certificate with School Nurse Endorsement) and the Rockford Board of Education. * Current Illinois Department of Public Health Vision and Hearing Screening Certification * Willingness to become CPR Instructor for AHA. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Nurses should demonstrate an excellent knowledge of nursing assessment, leadership, communication, and mediation skills. Knowledge of current Special Education law and issues is important. Ability and knowledge to work with local and state community agencies and resources in regards to medical care for children. WORKING CONDITIONS: Moderate in-district travel as well as intermittent in-state and out-of-state travel. Intermittent prolonged and irregular hours of work. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: A registered nurse shall be considered to be competent when he/she consistently demonstrates the ability to transfer scientific knowledge from social, biological and physical sciences in applying the nursing process, as per Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Administrative Code, Title 23, and Section 23.120 Standards for the School Nurse. The standards for the Certified School Nurse are as follows: * Standard 1 - Content Knowledge: The Certified School Nurse understands and practices within a framework of professional nursing and education to provide a coordinated school health program that encourages all students to achieve their optimal potential. * Standard 2 - Human Development and Learning: The Certified School Nurse understands human growth and development and provides a continuum of care and learning experiences for the general and special education populations that support the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical well-being of all students. * Standard 3 - Diversity: The Certified School Nurse understands how students, families, and communities differ in their perspectives and approaches to health care and learning and creates opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners. * Standard 4 - Assessment and Evaluation: The Certified School Nurse understands various formal and informal assessment and evaluation components of the nursing process to support the continual development, optimal health, and learning potential of all students. * Standard 5 - Planning and Intervention: The Certified School Nurse uses the planning and intervention components of the nursing process to develop and plan for a coordinated school health program that meets the needs of students, families, staff, and community. * Standard 6 - Service Delivery: The Certified School Nurse understands and uses various intervention strategies in the development of a coordinated school health program that assists students, families, staff, and community to achieve optimal levels of wellness and learning. * Standard 7 - Learning Environment: The certified School Nurse understands and uses principles of health promotion and disease prevention to promote a safe and healthy learning environment. * Standard 8 - Communication: The Certified School Nurse understands and uses effective communication and technology to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and partnerships that address the health, safety, and learning needs of all students. * Standard 9 - Collaborative Relationships: The Certified School Nurse understands and develops collaborative relationships with colleagues, families and the community to support students' learning and well-being. * Standard 10 - Professional Conduct and Ethics: The Certified School Nurse understands school nursing as a professional specialty and maintains standards of professional conduct and ethics. * Standard 11 - Reflection and Professional Growth: The Certified School Nurse is a reflective practitioner who actively seeks opportunities to grow professionally. * Standard 12 - Leadership and Advocacy: The Certified School Nurse is a member of the educational team, a leader and facilitator of change, and an advocate for student, the school, and the community. OTHER: This job description describes duties and responsibilities which are representative of the nature and level of work assigned to the position. The identified duties and responsibilities are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the school district and employee and is subject to change by the school district as the needs of the school district and requirements of the job change.