School Nurse

Position Summary

The School Nurse promotes the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff by providing professional nursing services that support student learning and academic success. The nurse delivers direct healthcare, manages chronic and acute illnesses, responds to emergencies, collaborates with families and healthcare providers, and ensures compliance with Arkansas Department of Education and Arkansas Department of Health regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide direct nursing care to students and staff for illness, injury, and medical emergencies. Assess student health concerns and determine appropriate interventions, referrals, or emergency care. Administer medications and treatments according to physician orders and district policy.

Develop, implement, and monitor Individual Healthcare Plans (IHPs), Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), and Section 504 accommodations related to health needs. Monitor and manage students with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, allergies, and other medical conditions. Respond appropriately to medical emergencies and activate EMS when necessary.

Maintain accurate and confidential health records in accordance with FERPA, HIPAA (when applicable), and district policies. Review student immunization records and ensure compliance with Arkansas immunization requirements. Conduct or coordinate required state health screenings, including vision, hearing, and scoliosis screenings as required by Arkansas law.

Participate in communicable disease prevention, surveillance, and outbreak management following Arkansas Department of Health guidelines. Educate students, staff, and families on health promotion, disease prevention, nutrition, hygiene, and safety. Collaborate with physicians, parents, school staff, counselors, and community agencies to meet student health needs.

Train school personnel on emergency medications and health procedures, including epinephrine auto-injectors, glucagon, seizure response, CPR/AED awareness, and other delegated nursing tasks as appropriate. Assist with developing and implementing school emergency response plans related to medical emergencies. Monitor and maintain health office supplies, medications, emergency equipment, and first aid inventory.

Prepare required reports for the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Department of Health, and the school district. Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, including 504, IEP, RTI, and other student support teams as appropriate. Promote a safe and healthy school environment through health assessments, policy implementation, and wellness initiatives.

Perform other duties as assigned by the administration.

Minimum Qualifications

Current Arkansas RN or LPN license in good standing. Current CPR/BLS certification School nursing experience preferred. Strong assessment, communication, and organizational skills. Two years experience in the nursing field. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with administrators, teachers, families, and healthcare providers. Knowledge of Arkansas school health regulations and best practices.