Job Title: Nurse

Reports to: Director of Health Services

Work Schedule/FLSA Status: Classified

Tenure Track: No

Social Security Contribution: Required

Salary: Section 4 Substitute Staff Rate

Purpose Statement

The Springfield, Missouri Public School District is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Substitute School Nurse.

The Springfield School District is Missouri’s largest public school district and has built a reputation of academic excellence based on the outstanding performance of our students and schools. About 25,000 students attend 36 elementary schools, an intermediate school, 9 middle schools, 5 high schools and a variety of alternative education and choice programs.

The job of Substitute School Nurse was established for the purpose/s of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibilities for overseeing the individual health needs of students; developing and implementing individualized health care plans; ensuring district health care practices comply with the laws relating to student health issues; providing appropriate immediate care for ill, medically fragile and/or injured students; and serving as a health care resource to teachers, staff, and administrators; conducting health screenings; identifying health problems for referral to appropriate community resources for proper treatment; and promoting an optimal level of wellness for students and staff.

Essential Functions

• Administers screenings (e.g. vision, dental, hearing, and/or scoliosis screenings, ) for the purpose of early intervention and remediation of potential health barriers to learning.
• Administers first aid, medication and specialized healthcare procedures (e.g. oral suctioning, catheterization, tube feedings, blood glucose monitoring, ) for the purpose of providing appropriate care for ill, medically fragile and/or injured children.
• Assesses situations involving students’ safety, abuse (physical, sexual, drug, ) and other health related issues for the purpose of identifying problems, referring for proper treatment and complying with legal requirements.
• Collaborates with parents, students, health care providers, and/or community agencies for the purpose of promoting and/or securing student health services; providing information and complying with legal requirments. 
• Develops individualized student healthcare plans for the purpose of addressing students’ health needs.
• Inputs student health care records into student information system for the purpose of maintaining accurate up to date information.
• Maintains students’ confidential files and records (e.g. health care plans, agency referrals, accident reports, health care records, ) for the purpose of providing information required by legal requirements and professional standards.
• Maintains communication with parents/guardians for the purpose of advising them of changes in student health and/or recommending further medical and/or emotional intervention.
• Monitors students with chronic health conditions for the purpose of attending to their health care concerns, developing and implementing individualized healthcare plans, providing on-going care and assisting the child in achieving the highest functional level.
• Orders health care equipment and supplies for the purpose of maintaining inventory and ensuring availability of required items.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and seminars (e.g. staff meetings, interdisciplinary teams, Professional Development, ) for the purpose of gathering, conveying and/or sharing information on students’ health needs, service delivery and educational programs; and/or improving skills and knowledge.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials (e.g. workman compensation assessments, emergency action plans, ) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Provides training on a variety of health related subjects (e.g. CPR, disaster preparedness, child abuse, health education, medication management, policies and procedures, substance abuse, growth and development, food allergies, hygiene, ) for the purpose of promoting a healthy lifestyle and/or acting as a resource to students, teachers and other school personnel.
• Reports health and safety issues to assigned administrator and appropriate agencies (e.g. fights, suspected child or substance abuse, contagious diseases, restraints, ) for the purpose of maintaining students’ personal safety, a positive learning environment and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
• Responds to emergency medical situations (e.g. severe falls, prescription reactions, bleeding, ) for the purpose of ensuring appropriate immediate medical attention and related follow-up action.
• Serves as a liaison for medical providers, parents, community agencies and/or staff for the purpose of providing and/or gathering information and assuring access and continuity of health care students.

Other Functions

Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements (Minimum Qualifications)

Knowledge is required to perform algebra and/or geometry; read technical information, compose a variety of documents, and/or facilitate group discussions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: health standards and hazards; codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; knowledge of community resources; and treatment modalities.

Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: planning and managing projects; and using pertinent software applications; adhering to safety practices and procedures; administer first aid and/or prescribed medications.

Ability is required to schedule a number of activities, meetings, and/or events; gather, collate, and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is moderate. Specific Ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: developing and maintaining positive relationships; setting high expectations for self and others; setting and monitoring progress toward goals; utilizing and offering effective feedback to continuously improve; collaborating and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders; applying critical thinking/problem solving to improve work processes; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; and working with frequent interruptions.

Employee Punctuality and Appearance

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave.
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee’s supervisor or building administrator.
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of Springfield School District and is appropriate for their position.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods and utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job's functions. There is some opportunity to significantly impact the organization’s services.

Terms of Employment

The terms of employment will be governed by applicable state laws regulating employment in a Missouri public school and Board of Education policy, as those laws and policies may change from time to time.  If your position is represented by Collective Bargaining representative, then your employment will also be governed by a negotiated agreement between SPS and that Collective Bargaining representative.

Experience

Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility, required

Education

Bachelor’s degree in job-related area, preferred

Must have graduated from an appropriately accredited school of nursing or college of nursing

Miscellaneous Requirements

Background clearance, the results of which must be satisfactory to the District, required

Certificates and Licenses

Licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse in the state of Missouri, required CPR Certificate, required

First Aid Certificate, required

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling, some climbing and balancing, frequent stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 34% sitting, 33% walking and 33% standing. This job is performed with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness and in a clean atmosphere.