Job Description

Position: Full-Time Personal Care Nurse

Schedule: Full-time with benefits, Monday�Friday, 8 hours per day, August�May

Reports to: Director of Student Services

Position Objective

To provide direct, skilled nursing care to (a) medically fragile student(s) during the school day and during school-sponsored activities as assigned. The nurse will support the students' access to educational programming by implementing physician orders, individualized health plans, emergency care plans, and district procedures in a manner that promotes student safety, minimizes health-related barriers to attendance and participation, and supports continuity of care between the school, family, and medical providers.

Essential Functions

• Provide direct professional nursing services to (a) assigned medically fragile student(s) during the school day, including monitoring, assessment, intervention, documentation, and emergency response as needed.
• Implement the students' Individualized Health Care Plan, Emergency Action Plan, physician orders, medication orders, and relevant portions of the student's IEP or Section 504 Plan, as applicable.
• Provide skilled nursing care that may include, but is not limited to, tracheostomy care, suctioning, gastrostomy tube care and feedings, urinary catheterization, seizure monitoring and response, medication administration, respiratory support, oxygen monitoring, diabetes care, mobility-related support, and other medically necessary procedures as ordered.
• Monitor the student's health status throughout the school day and use professional nursing judgment to determine when intervention, parent/guardian notification, provider consultation, emergency medical services, or administrative notification is needed.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential health documentation in accordance with state and federal law, physician orders, Board of Education policies, and district procedures.
• Communicate regularly with parents/guardians, building administration, teachers, related service providers, transportation staff, and the Director of Student Services regarding the student's health needs, care plan implementation, and any changes in condition or care requirements.
• Collaborate with the student's healthcare providers, parents/guardians, school staff, and district personnel to support continuity of care and safe access to the educational environment.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor necessary medical supplies and equipment for the assigned student, ensuring materials are available, properly stored, and ready for use.
• Support safe student participation in classroom activities, transitions, therapy services, meals, recess, field trips, transportation, and other school-based activities as determined by the student's plan of care.
• Ensure required nursing coverage and care procedures are addressed for school-sponsored activities, field trips, or transportation needs involving the assigned student.
• Follow infection control procedures, universal precautions, and district health protocols when providing care.
• Maintain current knowledge of the student's medical needs, equipment, physician orders, emergency procedures, and relevant health-related legal requirements.
• Participate in IEP, Section 504, health plan, re-entry, or student support meetings when requested as the designated healthcare professional.
• Provide health-related training, guidance, or information to school staff who work with the student, as appropriate and within the scope of nursing practice.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student health information and educational records in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA as applicable, ISSRA, district policy, and professional standards.
• Notify the appropriate individual or agency of student injury, illness, medical emergency, suspected abuse or neglect, or other concerns in accordance with law, Board policy, and district procedures.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to medical emergencies involving the assigned student and assist with emergency procedures involving other students or staff as directed and available.
• Maintain professional communication with the building nurse, Director of Student Services, and other district nursing staff to ensure coordination of care and consistency of health-related procedures.
• Assist in reviewing and updating the assigned student's health care plan as needed based on changes in medical status, physician orders, parent/guardian input, or school-based needs.
• Support a safe, inclusive, and respectful school environment that allows the medically fragile student to participate in educational programming to the fullest extent appropriate.

Additional Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Services or designee.
• Assist with general school health needs only when doing so does not interfere with the safety, monitoring, or required care of the assigned medically fragile student.

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Illinois.
• Current certification in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
• Experience with medically fragile children, pediatric nursing, school nursing, private duty nursing, or hospital-based nursing preferred.
• Experience with specialized medical procedures such as tracheostomy care, suctioning, gastrostomy tube care, seizure response, catheterization, oxygen monitoring, or other complex medical supports preferred.
• Ability to follow physician orders, individualized health plans, emergency care plans, and district procedures.

Competencies

• Knowledge of pediatric nursing, medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses, injuries, nutrition, medication administration, and medically fragile student care.
• Ability to provide skilled nursing care safely, accurately, and consistently in a school setting.
• Ability to use professional judgment when assessing changes in student health status and determining appropriate next steps.
• Ability to communicate appropriate medical information to parents/guardians, school staff, administrators, and healthcare professionals.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation of nursing care, interventions, medication administration, health observations, and parent/provider communication.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and other healthcare professionals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with students, families, teachers, paraprofessionals, related service providers, administrators, transportation staff, and outside medical providers.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion regarding sensitive student health and educational information.
• Ability to support students with disabilities and diverse medical, developmental, academic, and communication needs.
• Ability to problem-solve job-related issues and respond calmly and effectively during medical emergencies.
• Ability to use district technology systems, electronic health records, email, and basic software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff, families, and others contacted in the course of work.

Working Conditions

Mental Demands:

Assessing, calculating, monitoring, interpreting, documenting, organizing, consulting, analyzing, planning, coordinating, implementing, communicating, problem-solving, and responding to urgent or emergency medical situations.

Physical Demands:

Bending, stooping, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting for prolonged periods of time, standing, walking, lifting, transferring or assisting with student mobility as appropriate, finger dexterity, grasping, repetitive motions, talking, hearing, and visual acuity. The position may require assisting with medical equipment, positioning, mobility supports, and emergency response procedures.

Environmental Conditions:

Work is performed primarily indoors in a school setting; however, the nurse may accompany the assigned student to other school environments, buses, outdoor areas, field trips, or school-sponsored activities as needed. Exposure to bodily fluids, medical equipment, communicable illnesses, and emergency situations may occur. Travel between buildings or to school-sponsored activities may be required depending on the student's assigned program and needs.

Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse license in the State of Illinois, required.
• License must remain active and in good standing throughout employment.