School Nurse

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITY:

The primary purpose of this position is to provide nursing services to students attending Buncombe County, Asheville City and assigned Charter Schools.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

 90% NURSING SERVICES

• Provide comprehensive nursing services to students in a school setting with a focus on early detection, intervention, referral, anticipatory guidance and close follow up in order to decrease absenteeism and improve school performance in students served.
• Assess student health needs, prepare plans of care, train school staff on the needed care, coordinate and monitor the health services delivered and evaluate the care being provided to assure the students receive care that meets best practice standards.
• Serve as Liaison for student’s health services with school staff, parents and community providers.  

• Utilize the Nursing Process to provide assessment, nursing diagnosis, outcome identification, planning, intervention (coordination of care, health teaching and health promotion, consultation, referral and follow-up) and evaluation for students with health concerns and chronic special health care needs.
• Develop individual health care plans for students, train school personnel to provide/assist with health procedures and monitor student progress according to plan.
• Initiate pertinent educational curriculum for students; offer in-service training programs, enhanced curriculum and other initiatives as they relate to health issues in the community.
• Offer/assist with mandated trainings to include: Allergy/Epinephrine and Diabetic Care Management training and Blood-borne Pathogen training.
• Ensure requirements of students with chronic health care needs are anticipated, an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is in place and school personnel have competency in performing needed health procedures.
• Participate in the development and implementation of the school's emergency/disaster preparedness and response plans.
• Review injury reports as they are received and discuss themes, concerns and needed follow-up with principal.
• Identify staff needs for medication administration or medical procedure training and provide training annually and as needed.
• Formally audit the school’s medication process, provide plan for improvement, guide training needs and monitor for follow through.
• Assess students who self-carry medication to ensure they have the knowledge and ability to use medication.
• Be available as a resource when staff have questions or concerns with medical procedures, medications or other health concerns of student.
• Assist in assuring immunization compliance.
• Provide health education information and educational activities that promote the prevention and control of communicable diseases for students, parents and staff.
• Screen assigned students via Health Fairs and refer students for vision concerns.
• Track/assist students who are referred for vision and dental care to ensure secured care and necessary follow-up.
• Promote and participate in wellness activities as available.
• Participate in Public Health disasters or outbreak duties/assignments as directed by the Buncombe County Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Director.
• Confer with School Health Supervisor when presented with unusual client situations or issues to determine the most appropriate course of action.

10%, ADMINISTRATIVE

• Responsible for monthly, mid -year and end of year reports
• Serve on school and district committees as needed
• Participates in various school related meetings, continuing education, and participation in relevant events.

This job description is a general description of the essential job functions. It is not intended to describe all the duties the School Health Nurse may perform.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of, and skill in, the application of nursing theory, practice, principles and techniques employed in the field of school nursing and public health.
• Knowledge of available resources and the ability to coordinate these as needed.
• Skilled in clear communication, problem solving and decision making as well as observation, listening, and coaching.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

None

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Minimum Qualifications.

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
• Strong desire to work with students in school setting.
• Requires time management, priority setting and project management proficiency with strong problem-solving and decision making skills.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in North Carolina
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license
• Current BLS Certification
• National School Nurse Certification within three years of hire

COMPUTER SKILLS:

Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point.

Ambulatory Electronic Health Record (EHR) system experience.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Ability to understand, interpret and relate oral and written instructions.

Skilled in clear communication, listening and providing direct feedback.

Excellent verbal and written interpersonal communication and relationship building skills required.

Frequent and intense communication with individuals inside and outside the department to include conflict resolution, staff development, and promoting activities within the program.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Spanish speaking skills preferred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Strong decision making and organizational skills as well as the ability to multi-task in a busy environment is required.

Ability to prioritize workload and multiple tasks within the program

SCHEDULE:

Regular attendance on-site is an essential function of this position for 11 months of the year, with 1 month off during the summer. Typical business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (or flexed to best meet the needs of the clients and/or the Division); 40 hours per workweek; weekend, holiday, or evening coverage is occasionally required. Work hours will need to be flexible in order to respond to special work assignments, or evening activities, as requested by the team leader.

POSITION COMPENSATION:

Full time position + full benefits available

At MAHEC, we strive to equip all team members with Total Rewards (pay + benefits) to honor their service, support their health, manage their financial security, build their career, and thrive.

All MAHEC employees and learners will be required to receive the Flu vaccine or have an approved exemption.

MAHEC Talent Management is located at 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Equal Opportunity Employer.

MAHEC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Employees who meet federal requirements may be eligible to have remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments while working full-time at MAHEC.

If you are interested in this role, and you have related experience and qualifications, we encourage you to apply or reach out to AskTalent@mahec.net for support in your job search process. You could be the talent we are seeking for this or other opportunities.