Distinguishing Features of the Class and Registered Professional Nurse

This is a professional nursing position involving responsibility for giving care to students and for performing related nursing services such as pupil health screening and notification of defects and communicable disease control requiring judgment and skills.  This position differs from the certificated position of School Nurse-Teacher in that there is no responsibility for either classroom instruction or guidance involved.  The work is performed under the general direction of a School Physician or School Nurse-Teacher.  Supervision may be exercised over the work of clerical assistants. The professional nurse performs professional nursing services at one or more schools in the maintenance of acceptable health standards, school health records and the emergency treatment of student and employee health problems; does related work as required. This position requires a high degree of patience, compassion and responsiveness to student experiences

Typical Work Activities and Registered Professional Nurse Expectations

• Assists the School Physician in physical, visual and auditory screening examinations of students and employees;
• Administers first aid and emergency treatment to students and employees;
• Prepares and maintains health records for school authorities;
• Assists at school immunization clinics;
• Arranges to transport sick or injured students or employees to hospital, home, doctor’s, and dentist’s office in cases of emergency;
• Inspects the school plant, playground and cafeteria and reports on general safety and sanitary conditions;
• Orders, inventories and oversees the storage of first aid and related health supplies and equipment;
• Consults with attendance teachers, staff members and school nurse-teachers concerning a variety of health factors related to non-attendance and communicable disease;
• Prepares records and reports as required.

Full Performance Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Personal Characteristics and Key Qualities of Registered Professional Nurse

• Open to learning;
• Goes above and beyond to connect with students and families;
• Connects families to community resources;
• Good knowledge of nursing principles and techniques and their relation to medical practices and skill in their application;
• Working knowledge of material-medical, dietetics, sanitation and personal hygiene;
• Skill in the application of technical, oral and written instructions;
• Ability to keep records and make reports;
• Ability to get along well with students, teachers, parents and others;
• Ability to carry out successfully the measures prescribed;
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of sub-professional and non-technical personnel;
• Good observation, mental alertness, firmness, initiative;
• Cheerfulness, patience, emotional stability, sympathetic attitude toward the sick;
• Good moral character.