Job Title: School Nurse
Reporting to: Head Sister
Other key relationships: Headmaster, School Doctors, Head of Boarding, Lodgeparents, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Parents.
Purpose of the role
- To provide a clinically effective, high quality service of nursing care and first aid to all members of the school community during term time.
- To work in partnership with pupils, parents, school personnel, GPs and other appropriate agencies to carry out health surveillance, health promotion and other public health initiatives
- addressing any identified needs.
Main duties
Professional
- Adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors and be conversant with the Scope of Professional Practice and other NMC advisory papers.
- Exercise awareness of professional responsibilities by organising her/his own work to include time to become familiar with current relevant literature and taking opportunities for personal and professional development in line with NMC revalidation processes.
- Use evidence based practice to develop and maintain a high quality standard of nursing.
Managerial
To be familiar with current school policies and procedures.
Keep accurate comprehensive, updated records and written reports, as required by the school and other statutory agencies.
Clinical
With other members of Hobson’s help develop the nursing services for pupils at the school in line with recommended best practice and BSA guidelines.
To assess, plan and evaluate care programmes in relation to pupils with special educational and health needs.
To administer medications prescribed for pupils and record accordingly.
To care for pupils who are ill and admitted to the Medical Centre.
Support, advise counsel and refer children experiencing mental health problems.
Assist in the training for school staff to support children with healthcare needs, e.g. asthma, diabetes epilepsy or allergies including EpiPens.
Provide support and advice for parents, carers and school staff on childhood illnesses and the management and control of infection and communicable diseases.
Carry out health assessments at school entry for boarders, e.g. height, weight and vision.
Educational
To promote health education throughout the school community on relevant health issues such as :
- nutrition and physical activity
- mental health and wellbeing
- healthy eating and dental health.
General
Liaise with parents as required and ensure they are kept informed of medical matters.
Liaise with the Lodge Parents – informing them of incidents regarding boys during the day.
Monitor the general stock levels in the surgery and inform the Head Sister when new stock is required.
Responsible for the general upkeep of the surgery requesting repairs etc. through the Maintenance Department as necessary.
Supervise the cleaning of the Medical Centre and promote effective infection control measures at all times.
Arrange medicals for new pupils and regular height and weight charts.
Maintain medical records and ensure complete confidentiality of such records.
Maintain a good working relationship with the local health authority and other medical personnel, e.g. surgery, dentists, physiotherapists.
Try to get to know all pupils personally and give them confidence to visit the surgery if they have a problem whether physical or otherwise.
Support Lodge staff in their caring role – giving advice/instruction as needed.
Liaise with teaching staff regarding pupils’ health and well-being needs.
Maintain and update the daily Off Games list.
Inform Headmaster/school office of any incident regarding pupils.
Arrange hospital appointments, transfer and escorts to hospital in emergency.
Record a pupil’s hospital/out-patient/dental appointments on the school’s management information system.
Be accountable for own nursing practices and keep up-dated with changes in practice.
Carry out all treatments and instructions given by the School Doctor, ensuring safe storage and ready access of emergency medications.
At all times to promote the good reputation of Summer Fields.
Exercise due consideration in the way confidential information relating to the general business of the school and information regarding individuals is used and not acting in any way which might be prejudicial to the interests of the school.
Comply with the requirements of the school’s Data Protection Policy, you must not at any time use the personal data held by the school for a purpose not described in the Register entry, or disclose such data to a third party.
Understand the typical health, hygiene, safety and security risks that exist, or may exist, in your area of work.
Know how to assess the risks associated with these hazards and how to minimise risks.
Share the responsibility with all staff for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adhere to, and comply with, the school’s Safeguarding Policy.
This job description is indicative of the nature and level of responsibilities associated with the post. It is not intended as an exhaustive list. Other tasks may be allocated as necessary to meet the changing needs of the school and new duties introduced after consultation with the post holder.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
Qualifications/Attainments
- RN/RN(Child)
- NMC registration and current PIN
- Evidence of Professional Updating
- Willing to undertake further formal training as required
- Certificate/Diploma/Specialist
- Practitioner Qualification or
- equivalent experience in the
- school nursing field
- First Aid experience
- First Aid at Work Certificate
- Health Education Certificate
- RMN/RSCN
Relevant Experience
- Minimum 2 years post registration experience.
- Previous experience of school nursing/community nursing/minor injuries.
- Previous experience of working with children.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of Safeguarding issues
- Knowledge of the recent reforms/changes in the NHS and Education
- Knowledge of NMC Code of conduct
Skills and Abilities
- Positive attitude to change.
- Ability to work independently and use own initiative.
- Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in an effective way with people from a variety of backgrounds and different ages.
- Empathy and understanding of the emotional needs of children.
- Approachable and a good listener.
- Awareness of healthy lifestyle issues relating to children and childhood development.
- Counselling Skills.
Special
Requirements
Willingness and confidence to work alone and to seek help and advice from NHS 111 / duty doctors / emergency services when required.
Motivation
A committed interest in working with school aged children and developing a career in school nursing and public health.
Physical
Stamina and a good level of health and fitness.
Personal
Circumstances
Ability to work day shifts. Flexibility and a willingness to cover extra shifts if available.
If you would like further details or assistance with the application form please call the HR Manager on 01865 459238. Application forms should be emailed to recruitment@summerfields.com or posted to the HR Manager, Summer Fields, Mayfield Road, Oxford, OX2 7EN.
