School Nurse

Make a difference in a family's life!

Volunteers of America Upstate New York's Children's Center services provides educational programs focused on early childhood development and school readiness for children 6 weeks through 12 years old. The center serves more than 500 children and families on an annual basis and provides additional support services such as a full-time Registered Nurse, family development services, on-going parent training, full-day care, and disability supports for children with special needs.

School Nurse - Rochester, NY

JOB SUMMARY

The School Nurse (LPN) serves as a primary health resource for the Children's Center and School-Age Child Care programs, supporting up to 220 children ranging in age from 8 weeks through 12 years. The School Nurse assesses illnesses and injuries, provides first aid, completes required incident documentation, communicates with families, manages health and immunization records for new and continuing enrollments, oversees medication-related documentation, and supports compliance with Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) requirements and the center's Health Care Plan.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assess and respond to child illnesses, injuries, and health concerns that occur during scheduled hours, including routine childhood incidents such as scrapes, cuts, falls, bumps, and bruises.
• Provide first aid and appropriate nursing support within the scope of LPN practice and center procedures.
• Evaluate children exhibiting symptoms of illness, including fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or other signs of illness, and determine when a child should be sent home in accordance with center policy, the Health Care Plan, and applicable OCFS requirements.
• Use professional nursing judgment to determine when a parent or guardian should be advised that a child may need evaluation by a medical provider or, in an emergency, immediate medical attention.
• Contact parents or guardians promptly regarding injuries, illness, exclusion from care, or recommended medical follow-up, and document the communication.
• Complete accurate and timely OCFS-compliant in-house incident, injury, and illness reports using established center forms and procedures.
• Maintain organized records of injuries, illnesses, parent notifications, and related follow-up, and communicate significant concerns or recurring patterns to center leadership.
• Review health documentation for new enrollments, including physical examinations, immunization records, allergy information, individual health care plans, medication authorizations, and other required medical records.
• Monitor health and immunization records for enrolled children and follow up with families or medical providers regarding missing, incomplete, or expired documentation.
• Complete required vision, hearing, growth, and other health screenings within established timelines.
• Develop, maintain, and update individualized health care plans for children with medical needs, chronic conditions, allergies, or health-related accommodations, in collaboration with families and appropriate providers.
• Maintain current health alert information and communicate pertinent information to appropriate staff while protecting confidentiality.
• Provide guidance to staff regarding child health concerns, illness symptoms, injuries, allergies, health care plans, and appropriate documentation and response procedures.
• Administer medications as ordered and authorized when needed, including PRN medications such as rescue inhalers, in accordance with applicable requirements and the center's Health Care Plan.
• Maintain oversight of medication orders, parent permissions, storage, expiration dates, availability, and medication administration logs.
• Coordinate with Medication Administration Trained (MAT) staff who may administer medications or respond to health needs during hours when the School Nurse is not on-site. Review related documentation and follow up on discrepancies or concerns.
• Collaborate with the center's Health Care Consultant and program leadership to maintain and update the Health Care Plan and required health-related policies, procedures, records, surveys, and reports.
• Collaborate with classroom staff, program leadership, families, medical providers, food service staff, and other partners regarding children's health and safety needs.
• Participate in health-related meetings, training, initiatives, and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned and consistent with the position.

SCHEDULE AND CONTINUITY OF CARE

The Children's Center operates from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The School Nurse's typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Because the nurse is not scheduled for the full operating day, qualified staff, including currently designated MAT-certified staff, may provide first aid, administer authorized medications, and follow established health procedures when the nurse is not on-site. The School Nurse supports continuity of care by maintaining clear procedures and current health information, reviewing medication and incident documentation, and following up on concerns that arise outside scheduled hours.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Current New York State Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license in good standing, required.
• Experience in pediatrics, school health, early childhood health, child care, or community health, preferred.
• Knowledge of child health, first aid, immunization requirements, health records, communicable illness, and medication administration practices.
• Ability to exercise sound nursing judgment, communicate clearly with families and staff, and maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Ability to pass all required criminal history, child abuse, and other background checks.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification; instructor certification preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to communicate, sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, crouch, and reach. The position requires the ability to respond promptly throughout a childcare environment and to lift or move items or assist children consistent with program needs and safe work practices.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in an active childcare environment serving infants, toddlers, preschool children, and school-age children. The employee may be exposed to communicable illnesses, bodily fluids, cleaning products, noise, outdoor conditions, and other conditions typical of a child care setting. Appropriate infection-control and safety procedures must be followed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervisory responsibility for other employees but provides health-related guidance, consultation, and support to staff.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required. Employees may be assigned other job-related duties by their supervisor in compliance with applicable federal and state laws. Requirements represent the minimum knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualifications necessary to perform the position. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunity and will be considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age disability, protected veteran status, or marital status.