Employment Begins: 2022/2023 School Year

Varied 7.0 to 8.0 hrs/day, 5 days/week, 189 days/year

SCHOOL LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE
STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification:  Paraeducator                                            Location:  Assigned School(s)

Reports to: School Nurse, Principal or Principal Designee                        

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt                                              Bargaining Unit:  NTPA   

This is a standard position description to be used for positions with similar duties, responsibilities, classification and compensation.  Employees assigned to the position description may or may not be assigned all of the essential functions indicated in this position description. 

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I:  Position Summary: 

Provides nursing care as delegated by school nurse and as outlined in individual health care plans. Participates as a member of the school health team to assist in addressing physical, social and emotional needs, health and safety concerns, crisis intervention and disaster planning.  

Assist in coordinating and delivering a school health program including the delivery of services to students and staff members in order to enhance health and wellness in the school community. Duties are performed in accordance with standards of professional school nurse practice, district/state board of education policies and procedures and state law regarding nurse practice.

Responsibilities include maintaining a close liaison with assigned schools, staff, parents, community health agencies, and the private medical sector.

Primary responsibility shall include student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student’s readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare.  Employee may work in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational, individual or team settings.  Employee may rotate among several schools.

The District represents a diverse community with a population of approximately 40% students with diverse backgrounds.  We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities.  The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District’s diverse populations.

Part II:  Supervision and Controls over the Work: 

Works under the general guidance of the school principal and professional guidance of the designated school nurse supervisor.  

The employee works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator.  Work is, controlled and/or governed by OSHA guidelines, state statute and state administrative code,  professional practice, school and district policies and procedures, collective bargaining agreements, and directions and expectations established by the administrator and nurse.  

Part III:  Major Duties and Responsibilities (depending on specific assignment, duties and responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following): 

As a School Licensed Practical Nurse may assist in and/or provide any or all of the following:

1. Perform, administer, and provide nursing care appropriate for an LPN but not limited to the following: Triage, assess illnesses and injuries. Nursing care may include non-oral medications (i.e., injections, eye/ear medications), mixing medications, blood glucose monitoring, nasogastric and J-tube feedings, suctioning and tracheotomy care, feeding and medication by G-tube, performing clean intermittent catheterization, providing nebulizer treatments, ventilator care and other nursing care.  Administer medication and treatments according to state law.
2. Maintains confidentiality regarding all school and health-related issues.
3. Knowledge of all health care related policies and procedures, i.e. OSHA, Blood borne Pathogen Control Plans, state mandates, district policies, and maintain compliance with current health practices.
4. May ride school bus - with student - from home to school, school to home.
5. Work as a member of a team with health services staff to coordinate and carry out services. May participate in crisis intervention.
6. Maintain communication with administrators, teachers, other school personnel, and    parents/guardians.
7. Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and charges.
8. Performs other duties as assigned by administrator and/or designee.

Part IV:  Minimum Qualifications:

1. Successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.
2. Current Washington State License as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (Licensed Practical Nurse RCW: 18.79.270 and WAC 246-840-705).
3. Associate degree or higher in nursing from an accredited school of nursing.
4. Prior experience in public school nursing or pediatric nursing is desirable.
5. Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents, district staff and community members who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse.
6. Ability to effectively communicate tactfully and effectively with parents, students, staff and the public both verbally and in writing.
7. Ability to remain flexible to changing situations, prioritize duties, organize activities and work independently.
8. Must have training in ventilator treatment and care.
9. Ability to administer First Aid and CPR to students and staff.
10. Ability to recognize situations that exceed LPN training and expertise, thus necessitating the need to notify and consult with a district Registered Nurse (RN).
11. Ability to work with student IEP’s and 504 plans.
12. Ability to administer medications and treatments to students, and knowledge of attendant laws and policies for dispensing and control of medications and treatments.
13. Knowledge of communicable diseases and ability to report such diseases to appropriate agencies and school personnel.
14. Skills in assessing the physical and emotional needs of students, and the ability to respond consistently and appropriately to all students in a calm, reassuring and nurturing manner.
15. Ability to handle matters and information confidentially.
16. Ability to operate computers and software, keyboarding, data entry and word processing.
17. Familiar with record keeping, answering phones and operating office machines.
18. Valid Washington State Drivers License.
19. Must pass a Washington State Patrol/FBI background investigation.

Part V:  Desired Qualifications:

1. Bilingual skills.
2. Professional experience in a student educational environment.

Part VI:   Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stoop, bend, sit, move about, hear and speak.  Employee is required to wear protective equipment/clothing.

The employee must regularly lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds or more and occasionally lift, position, restrain, or assist in the movement of students of greater weight.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Potentially exposed to ordinary infectious diseases carried by students; exposed to student high noise levels; required to lift and position students and their special equipment such as wheelchairs; required to work in non-routine positions for extended periods; may sit or stand for longer than two hours at a time; may be required to attend to students' personal hygiene; may be exposed to biting behavior; may need to take precautions to avoid exposure to student bodily fluids; playground supervision requires working outdoors in inclement weather.

May experience frequent interruptions; required to deal with a wide range of student behaviors and academic abilities; required to deal with a wide range of physical or emotional disabilities; may occasionally deal with distraught or difficult students, parents or community members.

The employee may be required to travel in school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours  during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees  are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. .  For eligibility  information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/  for information on 457 plan (DCP)  with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: executivedirectorHR@nthurston.k12.wa.us, 360-412-4453; Section 504 Coordinator at 360-412-4465, 504@nthurston.k12.wa.us. Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.