School Nurse

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

The school nurse, under the direction and supervision of School Nurse Corps Administrator, develops, implements, manages, and delivers school health services in NWESD’s cooperative programs located in Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties. The school nurse scope of practice is defined by law and regulation and professional school nursing standards.

Essential Functions:       

Duties listed are intended to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Employee(s) may not perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties not listed, but within the general scope of the position.

• Collaborates with the cooperative site Program Administrators and NWESD School Nurse Corps Administrator in the development, implementation and evaluation of NWESD Cooperative School Health Services. This includes the development of a health services plan that is culturally appropriate and responds to student and cooperative sites’ needs.
• Assesses and provides for the critical health needs of the students in each school; including writing and disseminating student emergency care plans and individual health plans and providing nursing treatments and medication administration.
• Delegates unlicensed school personnel tasks in regard to student care that can by law be delegated and provide training and supervision of non-nurse school staff in providing those services. (i.e. medication and nursing treatments)
• Provides nursing consultation; development and/or revision of school health policies and procedures, records and forms, health room procedures, communicable disease control, and student immunization compliance.
• Assesses the physical and emotional health of students as related to the educational process and within the scope of school nurse practice; initiates referrals for further diagnosis and treatment of identified health needs and provides follow-up; communicates health concerns that may impact learning to appropriate staff, as appropriate.
• Coordinates and implements health screenings mandated by law, including referral and follow-up.
• Performs professional nursing tasks as indicated or assigned including on-site emergency services.
• Serves as a resource for health education to classroom teacher as time allows.
• Attends NWESD School Nurse Corps trainings.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of professional nursing principles, concepts, and legal obligations.
• Knowledge of principles of pediatric health, growth and development.
• Knowledge of current health issues affecting both rural and urban communities and public schools.
• Knowledge of Individualized Education Plan processes, or ability to learn.
• Knowledge of NWESD school health program goals and objectives, or ability to learn.
• Knowledge of effective leadership and decision-making techniques.
• Ability to travel to school districts within the NWESD region and to meetings and workshops.
• Ability to work and relate effectively with students, families, school staff, and the public.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with ESD, district staff, community agencies, students and families.
• Ability to exhibit professional judgment, responsibility, and dependability.
• Ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive student health situations with tact and objectivity.
• Ability to utilize computerized health information software programs.
• Ability to interpret and apply complex regulations.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently to perform demanding tasks while maintaining a professional environment.
• Knowledge of and ability to maintain confidentiality in student educational and health records.
• Ability to work with computers and operate standard office equipment as necessary to carry out the essential functions of this position.

Qualifications:

Current unencumbered Washington Registered Nurse (RN) license. Associates degree in nursing or higher, Bachelor or Master’s of Science in Nursing preferred. Current CPR/first aid certification. Current Washington State Educational Staff Associate Certificate (ESA), or willingness to obtain. School nurse experience preferred. Washington State Patrol and FBI criminal background clearance required.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, employee will regularly sit, stand, and walk. Specific vision requirements for this position include close vision. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public, school staff, students and their families. Occasionally requires the ability to lift and carry a maximum of 30 pounds.

Hazards: Work is typically performed in an office/classroom environment which may include high noise levels, and a wide range of student behaviors; may need to deal with distraught or difficult individuals; potential exposure to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.  Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

It is the policy of the Northwest Educational Service District No. 189 to not discriminate against any person with regard to age, sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, neurodivergence, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.