2025-26 School Nurse

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The School Nurse is responsible for supporting student health and well-being by providing direct nursing care, promoting a healthy school environment, and collaborating with staff, students, and families to ensure access to healthcare services. The School Nurse plays a critical role in managing student health needs, developing care plans, and addressing medical emergencies while adhering to district policies and state health regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide first aid, emergency care, and illness assessment for students and staff.
• Administer prescribed medications and treatments in accordance with healthcare provider orders and district policies.
• Develop and implement Individualized Healthcare Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) for students with chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, allergies, seizures).
• Monitor and respond to communicable diseases, including reporting to public health authorities as required.
• Conduct vision, hearing, scoliosis, and other mandated health screenings.
• Assess student health concerns and provide appropriate referrals to healthcare providers or community resources.
• Maintain accurate health records, including immunization compliance and health assessments.
• Educate students, staff, and families on health topics such as nutrition, hygiene, disease prevention, and mental wellness.
• Train school personnel on first aid, CPR, medication administration, and chronic disease management.
• Support school-wide wellness initiatives and programs.
• Work closely with teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents to support student health needs.
• Participate in IEP, 504, and Student Support Team (SST) meetings to provide input on health-related accommodations.
• Serve as a liaison between the school, healthcare providers, and community agencies.
• Assist in medical emergencies, including performing CPR and using AEDs as needed.
• Support mental health crises by providing immediate intervention and referrals.
• Contribute to school emergency preparedness plans, including drills and training for staff.
• Maintain confidential health records in compliance with HIPAA, FERPA, and district policies.
• Ensure compliance with state-mandated immunization and health requirements.
• Report suspected child abuse and neglect per legal and district guidelines.
• Advocate for student health needs and equitable access to healthcare services.
• Stay updated on best practices in school nursing by participating in professional development and training.
• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as assigned. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Principles and practices of professional nursing, especially in a school or pediatric setting.
• Federal, state, and local health regulations, including HIPAA, FERPA, and OSHA requirements.
• Common childhood illnesses, chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, seizures, allergies), and communicable diseases.
• Immunization requirements and health screening protocols for school-aged children.
• Emergency care, first aid, and CPR/AED procedures.
• Mental health awareness, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care.
• Special education laws related to health services, including IEPs and 504 plans.
• Community health resources and referral processes.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills in a school environment.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work with students, parents, staff, and healthcare providers.
• Organization and time management to balance multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to train and educate staff on health-related topics, including first aid and medication administration.
• Proficiency in electronic health record (EHR) systems and maintaining accurate documentation.
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills in medical and behavioral situations.
• Provide compassionate, culturally responsive care to a diverse student population.
• Work independently while collaborating effectively with school teams and healthcare professionals.
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive health information.
• Adapt quickly to emergency situations and provide appropriate medical interventions.
• Advocate for student health and wellness, ensuring equitable access to medical services.
• Stay current on best practices in school nursing and participate in professional development.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and reaching to assess and care for students.
• Ability to move quickly in response to medical emergencies across various school settings (classrooms, playgrounds, gymnasiums, etc.).
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or repositioning of students with medical needs (up to 50 lbs.).
• Precise hand-eye coordination for performing medical procedures such as injections, wound care, and medication administration.
• Strong visual and auditory acuity to assess student symptoms, read medical records, and communicate effectively.
• Clear speech and hearing ability to provide instructions and communicate with students, staff, and healthcare providers.
• Mental alertness and quick decision-making skills, especially in high-pressure emergencies.
• Ability to focus and multitask in a busy school setting with frequent interruptions.
• Exposure to illnesses and infectious diseases; adherence to proper infection control practices required.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids and biohazards requires personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Indoor and outdoor work environments, including exposure to varying temperatures and school-related activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Primarily works in a school health office but may need to move between classrooms, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other areas of the school.
• May serve multiple school sites, requiring occasional travel between locations.
• Frequent interactions with students, staff, parents, and healthcare providers.
• Requires managing multiple health concerns simultaneously, including routine care and emergencies.
• Regular exposure to illnesses, infectious diseases, and bodily fluids, as well as adherence to proper hygiene and infection control measures, are required.
• May encounter students with behavioral or emotional challenges requiring de-escalation or crisis intervention.
• Generally follows the school calendar and hours but may require occasional after-school responsibilities, such as attending meetings, training sessions, or health-related events.
• May must respond to medical emergencies at any time during the school day.
• Requires long periods of standing, walking, and responding quickly in emergencies.
• Emotional resilience is needed to handle medical crises, student health concerns, and interactions with distressed individuals.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program (preferred).
• Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience in pediatric, public health, or school nursing settings.
• Familiarity with chronic disease management (e.g., asthma, diabetes, allergies, epilepsy) in children.
• Knowledge of special education health services and participation in IEP/504 planning.
• Experience in health education, emergency response, or community health coordination.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• A valid Minnesota School Nurse License through PELSB required.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the state of employment required.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED Certification required.
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) Certification (preferred for districts with behavioral intervention needs).

BENEFIT INFORMATION
St. Louis Park Schools provides a comprehensive benefits package for employees working 20 or more hours per week. Key benefits include:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for medical and dependent care expenses
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

The cost of benefits varies based on the employee group and full-time equivalent (FTE) status. For detailed information, including specific benefits and associated costs, please refer to the applicable group or bargaining unit contract Employment Contracts.

Salary : $48,670 - $92,890