GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The School Nurse Specialist provides intermediate level professional nursing work in providing primary, preventive and rehabilitative care to individuals in a public school or community setting. Work is performed independently, but under the direction of a Nurse Services Supervisor.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
The School Nurse Specialist I independently assesses client needs for nursing care or medical intervention. Work is performed in schools, in community settings, and in a clinical setting. Employee assesses needs, develops individual health care plans and client goals, refers to physicians as needed, and ascertains that instructions are being followed. Employees must differentiate levels of clients' needs criticality to identify crisis situations requiring physician or agency intervention.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a BS Degree in Nursing, which includes a Public Health nursing rotation and 6-12 months of professional nursing experience in a public health setting or related environment, preferable with 12 months demonstrated experience in specialty area; OR, an Associate’s Degree (ADN) with 3 years experience in a public health setting or related environment; experience can include education in the form of workshops, certification, and/or graduate programs related to the clinical area of specialty.

Necessary Qualifications:
Documentation of immunity to: measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, per CDC recommendations. Screening/proof of Hepatitis B immunity, as recommended by the CDC.

All Public Health staff are required to have Flu immunization each Flu season.

School nurse certification must be obtained within three years of start of employment.

Individuals, employed in a local health department, without a BS Degree which includes a Public Health Nursing rotation will be required to complete a Public Health Nurse training program as a condition of continued employment in accordance with Health Services Commission Rule.

Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in nursing with completion of National School Nurse Certification OR Bachelor's degree in nursing and at least two years' experience working in school nursing or pediatric nursing.

Driving is Essential
Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria.
If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions
Sits, walks, and stands during a workday. Must be able to physically perform the basic life support functions of walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
Periodically, may be required to lift patients (children) and objects up to 30 pounds as required for some positions.
Must have the visual acuity to record observations and findings; to read and record documentation for medical records.

Special Note
This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.