Tacoma Public Schools

Expected Start Date: November 2021; as soon as possible

FTE: .8125

Hours per day: 6.5

Salary Level: $32.11/hour DOE

Union/Days per year: Paraeducator, 192 work days, 10 month

Benefits: This job has the full range of benefits offered by Tacoma Public Schools.

Additional Information: Health Room Assistant Nurse staff are District Deployed and assigned locations may change from year to year.

Requires valid WA State LPN or RN license.

These positions are "Floaters" across the whole District with an emphasis on High School locations in support of the Health Services Department functions and tasks including filling in for absences or vacancies as needed.

Staff who begin work after October 19, 2021 may be eligible for a Hiring Bonus of $3500. Half will be paid after 90 days of employment and the other half will be paid at the end of the school year in June 2022.

In accordance with Governor Jay Inslee's announced Proclamation 21-14.1 on August 18, 2021, all K-12 school district employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021. Candidates who are extended a conditional offer of employment with Tacoma Public Schools will be required to submit proof of vaccination status in compliance with Governor Inslee's mandate, prior to official hire with the district. Individuals qualifying for a medical and/or religious exemption outlined under the Governor's directive will be required to provide proof of exemption prior to official hire with the district. Tacoma Public Schools Human Resources will work directly with candidates to finalize proof of compliance with the Governor's mandate prior to official hire.

Additional Resources and Information:

• Press Release from WA Governor's Office

• Proclamation by the Governor: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement

• OSPI Vaccination Requirement FAQ

• Vaccine Mandate FAQs

• DOH Vaccine fact sheet

Summary:
This position assists in meeting the health needs of students according to District policies and school procedures under the guidance and direction of the school nurse and the school/building based administrator; documents and maintains student health information required by the District and by federal and state regulations; and provides appropriate care for ill, medically fragile, and injured students.

Responsibilities:
1. Assists, promotes, and protects the optimal health status of students and staff; observes for student health, psychosocial and other needs, and refers appropriately.

2. Works as a team member with school nurse and school staff to help students obtain optimal physical, emotional, and social well-being necessary for learning.

3. Assists with and administers first aid care and specialized treatment in accordance with established guidelines for ill, medically fragile, and injured students.

4. Assists in the safe administration of medication as mandated by state law and District policy.

5. Prepares and/or maintains documentation and reports necessary to carry out the activities of the school health room.

6. Assists in maintaining all students' immunization information in accordance with legal and District requirements.

7. Follows established procedures to ensure confidentiality.

8. Reports students with contagious diseases to the school nurse or principal in accordance with established guidelines; uncovers health problems through screening, observation and interviews, and notifies the school nurse of findings; screens and evaluates findings of deficit in vision, hearing, and scoliosis, or other; assists in identifying students having evidence of abuse and/or neglect and reports to the school nurse and proper law enforcement agencies as required by District policy and state law.

9. Maintains clear and open communication with the school nurse via daily communication in an agreed upon manner.

10. Participates in, contributes to, and assists with the implementation of health care planning guidelines and procedures for emergency care of acute illnesses and injuries occurring during the time students are under the jurisdiction of the school.

11. Assists in encouraging families to provide for health examinations of their children by utilizing services of family physicians, dentists, and community clinics; supports health promotion for students, staff, parents and community.

12. Assists with maintenance of order and discipline and a sanitary and safe environment in the health room; maintains adequate supplies.

OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Maintains and updates knowledge and skills necessary for success in the position and improving professional competence by participating in professional development activities, training, and staff development training as required, as needed or as assigned.

2. Models healthful practices.

3. Performs related duties as assigned.

CONDITIONS

Required to visually concentrate on detail and be precise; experiences frequent interruptions; may be required to work outdoors in inclement weather; required to deal with and diffuse, if appropriate, difficult and sensitive situations; may be exposed to infectious diseases; travels to District sites; walks, runs, bends, and squats to attend to ill or injured children; lifts, carries, and positions ill and injured children.

Minimum Qualifications

Other information:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience
LPN license is required; successful completion of a two-year accredited program for LPN, required; associates degree in nursing from an accredited college/university or registered nurse license is preferred; one year pediatric, community health nursing, health education, required or school based nursing experience, preferred; or any combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and ability required to perform the work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of basic first aid and health care practices and procedures, basic symptoms of communicable and other childhood diseases.
Knowledge of basic principles of human growth and development.
Skill in identifying student health problems and communicating with school staff.
Skill in obtaining, clarifying and exchanging information.
Skills that are well developed in human relations required for communicating and dealing with diverse students.
Skill in exercising patience when conveying information to students having difficulty with verbal and written communications.
Skill in demonstrating sensitivity to the special needs of students.
Skill in oral and written communication.
Ability to communicate competently with tact and to listen effectively.
Ability to stay calm under adverse circumstances and to calm others under stress.
Ability to perform the specific medical processes following developed protocols and procedures.
Ability to interact with staff, teachers, parents and specialist in order to carry out assigned duties.
Ability to work with students who have varying and diverse medical and behavioral challenges.
Ability to monitor and control student behavior.
Ability to fulfill the needs of the job having physical strength and dexterity.
Ability to demonstrate reasonable, reliable and regular attendance.
Ability to model healthful practices.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to perform duties in accordance with established guidelines, local, state, and federal laws.
Ability to understand and carry out verbal and written instructions.
Ability to plan and organize work.
Ability to lift and transfer students according to proper procedures.
Ability to work without direct supervision within the guidelines of policy and procedure using discretion and good judgment.
Ability to work with student(s) of all ages with varied and diverse needs.
Ability to participate as part of a team.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in a multi-cultural, diverse socio-economic setting.

Licenses/Special Requirements
Must possess a current Washington State Practical Nurse License (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) license to be renewed every year.
Pass Washington State jurisprudence examination.
Must possess first aid and CPR certificates prior to starting employment.
Must obtain 45 continuing education credits and 531 practice hours every three years.
Starting SY 2016-17, must obtain WA DOH approved suicide prevention, assessment, treatment and management training.
Must have a valid Washington State driver's license and access to personal transportation.
Must maintain all licenses and certifications as a condition of continued employment.
Fingerprints and successful WSP and FBI background clearance/sexual misconduct clearance.

Job Locator Number: D14-18

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Tacoma School District administration has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the primary functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Lisa Nolan, 253-571-1252, lnolan@tacoma.k12.wa.us; Title IX Coordinator, Elementary: Christa Erolin, 253-571-1318, cerolin@tacoma.k12.wa.us; Title IX Coordinator, Secondary: Eric Hogan, 253-571-1191, ehogan1@tacoma.k12.wa.us; 504 Coordinator: Elementary, Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us, 253-571-1096; Secondary, Megan Nelson, mnelson@tacoma.k12.wa.us, 253-571-1003. Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.

HRInfo@tacoma.k12.wa.us, (253) 571-1250