School Nurse

Our Mission is excellence in healthcare services and the promotion of wellness in our community. Our Guiding Values are Integrity, Dignity, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Quality.

Job Description

School Nurse -- (Contracted School Health Services) Petersburg School District elementary, middle and high school. PMC employee assigned under PMC's contract with the Petersburg School District.

Department - Nursing

Reports to - Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

Job Summary

The School Nurse is a Petersburg Medical Center (PMC) employee assigned under PMC's contractual agreement with Petersburg School District to provide school nursing services for students in elementary, middle and high school during the school year. The nurse provides professional assessments, interventions, care coordination, health education, and emergency response to reduce health-related barriers to learning and school attendance and success. The School Nurse remains clinically and administratively accountable to PMC while coordinating daily with District administrators, staff, families, and community healthcare professionals within terms of the contract.

Essentials Responsibilities

• Use the nursing process to assess student health needs, provide appropriate interventions, evaluate outcomes, and arrange follow-up or referral.
• Provide first aid, triage, and emergency nursing response; activate emergency services and notify parents / guardians and school leadership as indicated.
• Administer medications and ordered treatments in accordance with provider orders, recognized nursing standards, PMC policies, District procedures, and the service contract.
• Develop, implement, and update individualized healthcare plans and emergency action plans for students with acute, chronic, or special healthcare needs, coordinate with families, providers, school teams, and support staff.
• Implement required school health screenings, including vision and hearing; document results, communicate concerns, and facilitate follow-up.
• Monitor student immunization status and support communicable-disease prevention, surveillance, and response in coordination with PMC, District leadership, and public health authorities.
• Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential records of student encounters, assessments, medication administration, treatments, referrals, communications, and required program data.
• Educate students, families, and staff on health promotion, disease prevention, and management of student-specific conditions. Train designated school staff on approved health procedures, emergency plans, and specialized equipment, and validate competency as appropriate.
• Collaborate with school administration on attendance-related health concerns, school health procedures, emergency preparedness, and a safe learning environment. Provide services across assigned school sites, prioritize needs based on clinical urgency and attend health care related meetings.
• Collaborate with school health professional(s) itinerants as part of the IEP Team.
• Perform other school health duties within the Registered Nurse scope of practice and the PMC-District service contract.

Qualifications

Education / License. Graduation from an accredited school of nursing and a current Alaska Registered Nurse license. Current CPR / BLS certification required.

Experience / Knowledge. Pediatric, rural healthcare, adolescent, public health, or school nursing experience preferred. Working knowledge of general nursing practice, emergency care, medication administration, chronic disease management, immunizations, communicable-disease control, health screening, care planning, documentation, and confidentiality requirements.

Skills / Abilities. Ability to work independently, exercise sound clinical judgement, manage competing priorities, and communicate effectively with students across all grade levels, parents / guardians, school personnel, healthcare providers, and community partners. Ability to provide education and competency-based training and to use electronic and paper record systems.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Works is primarily in elementary, middle, and high school settings and may require travel between school buildings. The position may involve frequent interruptions, exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids, and response to urgent or unpredictable situations. Requires sufficient mobility, strength, dexterity, visual acuity, and hearing to assess students, operate equipment, carry supplies, and assist students safely. Must maintain composure, confidentiality, and professional boundaries.

Schedule

This position provides contracted school nursing services during the district school year. Workdays and hours generally align with the academic calendar and school schedule. Summer, holidays or other non-school year work is not included unless separately authorized by PMC under the service contract.

Requirements for Employment Include --

• Background Check. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation conducted through the State of Alaska in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Drug Screening. All employees must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening, which includes testing for marijuana.
• Immunization Compliance. Employees are required to meet all immunization requirements as mandated by the State of Alaska and Federal regulations governing healthcare facilities.

** Position Open Until Filled.