Full time health assistant

Position Purpose:

Under the general supervision of the building principal, to provide assessment, screening, planning, intervention, evaluation, counseling, management and/or referrals concerning the health and medical care needs of students.  Health assistants strive to minimize absences due to illness and maximize educational opportunities by creating a healthy school climate.

Essential Functions:  The following description is illustrative of the tasks and responsibilities associated with this position.  It is not meant to be an inclusive list of every task or responsibility.

• Works collaboratively with health care providers, students’ parents, school district staff and community agencies to ensure access and continuity of care for students.
• Assists in the establishment and maintenance of a comprehensive school health program.
• Collects information about the health development status of students for compliance with state immunization regulations and Board of Education policies.
• Conducts school programs involving physical examinations as well as sight and hearing testing.
• Performs nursing assessment for students who are ill or injured; applies appropriate theory as basis for providing first aid, nursing care, intervention and referrals for those students.
• Implements Board policy with respect to the exclusion and readmission of students in connection with certain infectious and contagious diseases.
• Maintains accurate records and documentation in accordance with state and federal law, and Board of Education policies.
• Intervenes as guided by the nursing care plan to implement nursing actions that promote, maintain or restore health, prevent illness and effect rehabilitation.
• Provides guidance, counseling and health education to students, parents and employees as requested.
• Reports to parents, school district personnel, physicians, clinics, and others as needed to meet student health needs.
• Assists with instruction and training regarding the Heimlich Maneuver, Blood Borne Pathogen training, the school district’s Emergency plan, and with regard to providing care for students as requested.
• Provides medical assessment to school district employees as requested.
• Provides health education to students as requested.
• Provides emergency medical services including, but not limited to, diabetic emergencies, the Heimlich Maneuver, CPR, mouth to mouth resuscitation, burn treatment, and emergency bleeding control, as needed.
• Notifies the appropriate person or agency of student’s injury/illness in accordance with Board policy as necessary.
• Confers with parents, students and school district staff and professionals to interpret health and developmental assessments.
• Maintains a regular and predictable attendance history while employed by the district.
• Performs other related tasks as assigned by the principal and other central office staff members as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment:

• Uses medical equipment to provide health care to students/staff, including, but not limited to, blood glucose monitor, stethoscopes, thermometers, and sphygmomanometers.
• Uses standard office equipment such as personal computers, printers, copy and fax machines, and telephones.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional travel between schools may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, symptoms, diagnoses, treatments, first aid, illnesses and injuries, nutrition, and related areas.
• Ability to diagnose and provide care for ill or injured students.
• Ability to quickly diagnose and provide emergency medical services.
• Ability to convey appropriate medical information to school district staff or medical professionals to ensure a proper maintenance in the school setting.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide, and perform arithmetic operations as needed for position.
• Ability to understand, apply and use personal computers and software applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, the Internet, Outlook, g-mail).
• Ability to problem solve job-related issues.
• Ability to work with a diverse group of individuals and students with special needs.
• Ability to follow oral and written orders from supervisors, administrators, physicians, and to coordinate work with principal, teachers and others.
• Ability to describe orally and in writing school health services provided, issues and concerns regarding school health.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and others contacted in the course of work.

Physical and Mental Demands, Work Hazards:

• Work in standard school building environment.
• Exposure to body secretions, blood borne pathogens, medicine and medicinal supplies, illnesses and diseases.
• For a complete list of the physical and mental demands needed to perform the essential functions for this position, please see the Summary of Physical, Sensory, and Environmental Requirements.

Qualifications Profile:

• Certification:  Must possess, or be eligible to obtain either a CMA, CNA, LPN or RN license
• Education:
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Associate's or bachelor's degree in a medical related field preferred.
• Experience:  Successful nursing experience in a public or private school setting preferred.

FLSA Status:  Non-exempt