The School Nurse works alongside the Lead School Nurse in supporting pupils’ health and wellbeing in order for them to fully participate in active school life. As well as pupil medical care, the school nurse will liaise with school staff, pupils and parents in identifying areas of improvement to the care of students.

Main Responsibilities

• Provision of medical care to pupils on a daily basis
• Ensuring the best possible medical care is available to both pupils on an immediate and an emergency care basis
• Treating pupils as appropriate with the aim of encouraging them to return to their normal timetable as soon as appropriate
• Where necessary, arranging to get the pupil / person home safely or to alternative care, e.g. the individual’s GP or to hospital
• Administering medication according to School policy
• Performing necessary health checks to assist with diagnosis
• Liaison with parents and staff in accordance with the School policies on medical and mental health
• The School Nurses are required to attend buildings other than the Medical Centres and it is vital that they can be contacted at all times so the School will provide mobile phones
• Ensuring safe storage, usage and disposal of medical supplies and drugs
• Provision of first aid kits around the school and replacement of supplies
• Timely maintenance of pupil files, medical records and medical centre attendance records
• Organisation of essential emergency medications in the Dining Hall and on sites (16) other than the Medical Centre
• Co-ordinating immunisation programmes
• Liaising with local health authorities in the organisation of immunisation programmes
• Arranging and managing communication with parents with regard to consent
• Maintaining records on electronic register where appropriate
• Liaison with appropriate teaching staff with regard to any medical problems concerning pupils
• Development of health care plans where appropriate; giving support to relevant teaching staff in their dealings with pupils in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities
• As part of the nursing team, drafting and updating of “essential care list” of pupils with “need to know” conditions to communicate risk and manage confidentiality
• Add appropriate information onto the pupil recording systems (CPOMS) to communicate about pupils medical/wellbeing information to staff as appropriate
• Providing general advice and training for staff for initial care of pupils with particular medical needs
• Liaising with the wellbeing, safeguarding and inclusion team regarding any concerns about individual pupils as needed
• The School Nurse works closely with the Designated Safeguarding Leads, the Pastoral Management Teams, Welfare Support Officers and School Counsellors, across senior school, junior school and pre-prep, but at all times exercises judgment regarding confidentiality in the context of the primacy of prioritising the safeguarding and welfare of children
• When requested, provision of first aid updates for members of staff, particularly Sport and Exercise staff or those regularly involved in residential trips
• When requested, contributing to topics within PSHE schemes of work and / or other assemblies
• As appropriate, raising awareness of medical and health issues to pupils and staff throughout the School – this may be by distributing appropriate material via pastoral staff, or updating health issues notice boards, and participating in assemblies.

Health and Safety

• Working with staff to ensure the timely completion of accident reports and following School policy in the submission of RIDDOR reports.
• Medical representation, as appropriate, on the School Health and Safety Committee.
• Support the School in a consulting capacity in their management of medical issues relating to a medical crisis, such as the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Administration

• Working with the Lead School Nurse to ensure medical questionnaires and all relevant parental consent forms to administer or carry medicine etc. on entry to school and at agreed stages of school career are obtained and retained.
• Assisting with the implementation and regular updating of pupil health care plans.
• Maintaining electronic records of daily visits to Medical Centres or accidents treated and reported, including the nature of problem, treatment or advice.  Updating as necessary to ensure accurate and rapid retrieval of information.
• Supporting the Lead Nurse in gathering information for the preparing of reports as needed by the school management teams.
• These duties and responsibilities are intended as a guide only. The School Nurse will be expected to undertake any other reasonable task or responsibility as may be requested by their Line Manager, the Bursar or their designated Deputies.

• Criteria
• How will these be tested or verified?
• Qualifications & Experience

• Essential

  • SCN, RN–child, or RGN with relevant experience (i.e. A&E, School nursing, Practice nursing) Band 6.
• Skills, Knowledge & Abilities

• Essential

  • Experience as a School Nurse, preferably in a school or independent school setting
  • In depth knowledge of laws governing nurses and their implementation
  • Licensed & qualified as a paediatric Nurse (Band 6)
  • Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
  • A clear interest in being part of a school community and working to establish a school based medical service.
  • A strong work ethic.
  • Ability to work independently and collaborate with a team.
  • Adaptability, initiative, and flexibility.
  • Approachable with interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent time management skills, punctual and ability to prioritise work.
  • Good communication skills (verbal and written); excellent grammar and punctuation.
  • Reliability and able to maintain confidentiality.
  • Skilled at information gathering and data management.
  • Able to use their own initiative. Assumes responsibility and ownership for work issues and problems of a primary operational nature.
  • Imparts a positive impact with student and staff.
  • Supports the aims, objectives, goals, ethos, and mission of the school.
  • Establishes team direction and responsibilities for school medical staff.
  • Has positive impact with students and staff.
  • Speaks clearly, sensitively, and persuasively when interacting with internal personnel.