Health Services Specialist

Primary Purpose:

Supports the management and coordination of all health services policies, activities, and resources including implementation and evaluating these programs for the district.

Education / Certification/Experience / Other requirements

• Graduate of an accredited professional nursing education program
• Valid registered nurse license to practice professional nursing in Texas from the State Board of Nurse Examiners
• Five years of nursing experience, preferably in public schools.
• Certified by Texas Department of Health to conduct vision and hearing screening
• CPR/First Aid Instructor Certification preferred
• NCSN (National Certified School Nurse) certification preferred
• Personal cell phone is required to handle district related business, including after hours, or when away from the office on district business.

Special Knowledge / Skills:

• Knowledge of health appraisal to identify student health defects.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Ability to support health professionals and coordinate programs district wide.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

Nursing Services

• Provides direct care utilizing professional assessment skills, the nursing process, and established school health protocols.
• Serves as health advocate for students.
• Communicates with parents and community in areas concerning student health and safety.
• Supports development of management system to administer medications to students at school. Administers medications according to district policy and procedures.
• Implements effective procedures for mandatory screening programs. Makes referrals as necessary.
• Supports continuing evaluation of campus health programs and makes changes based on findings in collaboration with Health Services Coordinator.
• Oversees and provides needed nursing services during summer programs including Extended School Year Services to students with disabilities.
• Provides health services to students as necessary

Instruction

• Participates in development of campus health education curriculum and provides health education to individuals and groups.
• Educates faculty and staff as needed on health-related topics.
• Provides health counseling and instruction to individual students.
• Supports District American Heart Site Coordinator with instructor training/monitoring of instructors and implements training updates in accordance with best practices of American Heart Association or Red Cross guidelines.

Consultation

• Is available for consultation on a campus where a student's specific health needs escalate to demand a case management approach.
• Serves as health liaison between school, physicians, parents, and community.
• Assesses student problems and makes appropriate referrals working with students, teachers, parents, and medical and health care professionals as needed.
• Participates in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee, crisis team, and school committees and develops Individual Health Plan.
• Collaborates with other professionals regarding implementation of health-related Individual Education Plan (IEP) items.
• Participates in assessments and reporting of suspected child abuse.
• Communicates regularly with Health Services Coordinator, principal, school counselor, teachers, parents, food services, and other district employees regarding health services issues.
• Consults on student health needs for SACC program as requested.
• Serves as District SHAC member

Administration

• Assists administration in establishing, evaluating and directing the program for health services, including health appraisal, health education and maintenance of a healthy school environment.
• Participates in nursing policy formulation, decision-making and interpretation of school health policies.
• Reviews and evaluates immunization records for foreign exchange students, Pegasus enrollees and other students, as necessary.
• Compiles, maintains, and files all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required, including clinic records and accurate, updated health records on all students.
• Supports submission of all required reports of the school health program to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Implements policies and regulations established by federal and state laws, Texas Department of Health rule, State Board of Education rule, board policy, and district administrative procedures.
• Reports potential health and safety hazards to campus principal, Health Services Coordinator and other district members as needed.

Professional Development

• Conducts orientation programs for new and substitute nurses, and other personnel that require any health services training.
• Organizes and/or in-service programs for nurses and clinic assistants.
• Remains current on new medical developments in health-related fields and in technology.
• Maintains certification in vision and hearing screening, as a health screener and with any other certifications earned.
• Models behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
• Performs other duties and accepts other responsibilities as assigned.
• Responsible for properly maintaining district records, adhering to all policies set forth by the district for records maintenance and learning the records retention schedule for department records.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supports, trains, and conducts performance appraisals for registered and licensed vocational nurses.