Suzanne Villaruz RN PHN
School Nurse
Ph:  661.667.1251

Duties and Responsibilities

Marissa Antonio, LVN
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN)
Ph:  661.667.1251

Duties and Responsibilities

SCHOOL NURSE

School nurses, who are the primary health care providers within the educational environment, promote each student's attainment of optimum health status, physical and mental, to achieve their fullest potential as a learner and a person.

What do school nurses provide that no one else in the school district can?

· Assess health needs

· Teach and promote health practices

· Provide counseling, primary health care, emergency care, crisis management, and referrals

· Provide communicable disease control

· Access community resources

· Perform mandated health screenings

· Perform special health care procedures, i.e., IV therapy, catheterization, tube feedings

A School Nurse:

· Is a Registered Nurse (R.N.)

· Has a baccalaureate degree

· Has an additional year of post graduate education related to school health issues

· Is credentialed by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing 

Definition of School Nurse, California Education Code Section 49426

49426.  A school nurse is a registered nurse currently licensed under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, and who has completed the additional educational requirements for, and possesses a current credential in, school nursing pursuant to Section 44877.

   School nurses strengthen and facilitate the educational process by improving and protecting the health status of children and by identification and assistance in the removal or modification of health-related barriers to learning in individual children. The major focus of school health services is the prevention of illness and disability, and the early detection and correction of health problems. The school nurse is especially prepared and uniquely qualified in preventive health, health assessment, and referral procedures.

(a) Conduct immunization programs pursuant to Section 49403 and assure that every pupil's immunization status is in compliance with the law, including parental or guardian consent, and good health practice.

(b) Assess and evaluate the health and developmental status of pupils to identify specific physical disorders and other factors relating to the learning process, communicate with the primary care provider, and contribute significant information in order to modify the pupils' educational plans.

(c) Interpret the health and developmental assessment to parents, teachers, administrators, and other professionals directly concerned with the pupil.

(d) Design and implement a health maintenance plan to meet the individual health needs of the students, incorporating plans directed by a physician.

(e) Refer the pupil and his or her parent or guardian to appropriate community resources for necessary services.

(f) Maintain communication with parents and all involved community practitioners and agencies to promote needed treatment and secure reports of findings pertinent to educational planning.

(g) Interpret medical and nursing findings appropriate to the student's individual educational plan and make recommendations to professional personnel directly involved.

(h) Consult with, conduct in-service training to, and serve as a resource person to teachers and administrators, and act as a participant in implementing any section or sections of a comprehensive health instruction curriculum for students by providing current scientific information regarding nutrition, preventive dentistry, mental health, genetics, prevention of communicable diseases, self-health care, consumer education, and other areas of health.

(i) Counsel pupils and parents by:

(1) Assisting children and youth, parents, and school personnel in identifying and utilizing appropriate and mutually acceptable private and community health delivery services for professional care and remediation of defects.

(2) Counseling with parents, pupils and school staff regarding health-related attendance problems.

(3) Helping parents, school personnel and pupils understand and adjust to physical, mental and social limitations.

(4) Exploring with families and pupils, attitudes, information and values which affect their health behavior.

(j) Assist parents and pupils to solve financial, transportation and other barriers to needed health services.

    The holder of a services credential with a specialization in health for a school nurse who also completes the requirements for a special class authorization in health in a program that is approved by the commission is authorized to teach classes on health in a preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes organized primarily for adults.

LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE

 JOB SUMMARY:

Under the professional supervision of a licensed credentialed district school  nurse, a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) performs specialized physical health care services and procedures for medically fragile students within the LVN scope of practice as defined by the California LVN licensing agency.

 JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Implements specialized health care procedures, including but not limited to diabetic monitoring to regularly check that the student learning needs, as specified in either their IEP or 504 plan are being met, catheterization, blood pressure monitoring, oral suctioning, tracheotomy care, gastrostomy tube feeding and reinsertion, oxygen therapy, chest percussion, postural drainage, ventilator care, manual manipulation of respirator bag, ileostomy and colostomy care, and seizure precaution and response.  Assures that all procedures are provided under specified protocols approved by an authorized healthcare provider and school district nurse with parent/guardian consent, and within the LVN scope of practice.

· Responds to medical emergencies and emergency care plans as designated by the district school  nurse, parent/guardian and authorized healthcare provider, within the LVN scope of practice.

· Reports adverse student responses to treatment to district school  nurse and implements emergency actions per the student’s IEP/IFSP care plans and within the LVN scope of practice.

· Administers prescribed medications according to policies and procedures

· Records healthcare procedures on daily log. 

· Maintains confidentiality.

· Performs related duties as assigned. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

· Possession of a valid State of California License of Vocational Nursing

· Possession and maintenance of a valid health care provider Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification

· Possession and maintenance of a valid First Aid certificate

· Knowledge of skilled vocational nursing practices and procedures, including but not limited to: first aid, CPR, administration of medications, specialized healthcare procedures and techniques, infection control procedures, hazardous waste management, and record keeping and reporting requirements within the LVN scope of practice.

· Knowledge of IEP/IFSP/504 requirements, of special programs goals and objectives, general concepts of child development, and characteristics of children with special needs.

· Communicate effectively with individual students and small groups.

· Establish and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff and others

· English speaking, reading, and writing proficiency

· Computer literacy