JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: School Nurse

Reporting to: Health Centre Manager


SCHOOL OBJECTIVES:
To provide a high quality of nursing care/treatment in accordance and in collaboration with the Health Centre Manager and Pastoral Team (as appropriate) to the whole Ashford School community. This includes: Prep and Senior day pupils, boarding pupils, staff and authorised visitors whilst on the school premises.

JOB HOLDERS OBJECTIVES:
To delivery high quality nursing care with compassion and kindness within the school community and to provide a range of clinical skills as part of the school nursing team.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:
Inclusive but not restricted to the following:
• General nursing care of the pupils and staff
• Health Promotion and Immunisation
• Maintain health records of students (and staff where appropriate)
• Communication
• Health & Safety
• Emergency Management
• Stock Control
• Chronic Disease Management
• Safe Administration and storage of medications
• Professional Registration
• Out of Hours on-call duties

GENERAL NURSING CARE OF PUPILS:
Performance will be satisfactory when:
• Confidentiality is observed at all times, as laid down in your Contract of Employment
• General nursing care is delivered according to Clinical protocols and other evidence-based guidelines
• Appropriate care is administered in collaboration with the Nursing team and school Doctor or independently according to the individual patient’s need.
• Documentation of the process of health assessment, need for intervention and delivery of nursing care is both accurate and thorough (use of care plans/welfare plans as appropriate)
• The outcome of the nursing treatment given has been evaluated and practice modified as necessary according to the individual’s plan of care
• The minimum standards for nursing as detailed in the Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools are met
• First aid kits are provided and maintained for school trips, sports fixtures and within the boarding houses and school sites
• Nursing Care is delivered in collaboration and communication with the boarding staff


HEALTH PROMOTION:
Performance will be satisfactory when:
• Health questionnaires are completed on all new boarders as part of the team
• Advice and nursing support on diet, weight, exercise, smoking, alcohol, drugs and sexual health is given, as appropriate to all pupils. Referral to appropriate agencies as necessary.
• Vaccinations and immunisations are administered as required in collaboration with the NHS school Nursing team supporting them on immunisations days
• Travel advice is offered to boarders as requested and the need for vaccinations is determined and arranged as required
• The annual flu vaccination programme is supported and promoted alongside the NHS team
• Support is given to teaching staff in the health education module within the PSHE programme as appropriate
• Health care plans for boarding students and day students with significant medical/psychological problems are completed, maintained and updated

COMMUNICATION:
• Health questionnaires for all pupils are read, filed and relevant details discussed with key staff. Staff (including catering) may access a ‘live’ list of those pupils with an allergy or significant medical problems
• Documentation of health assessment, need for intervention and delivery of nursing care of individual patients is accurate
• Completion of daily computer records maintained on all student visits to the Health centre
• Attendance at school nurse/boarders meetings and nurse meetings to discuss issues relating to the school nursing team and pupils of the school
• All boarders are registered with the school Doctor. Communication with her regarding any issues, (or other GPs for day pupils,) can be via email/letter or telephone as appropriate
• Liaising with parents of pupils, as appropriate on health issues
• Liaising with relevant pastoral staff on health issues of pupils
• It is expected that you should be helpful and courteous at all times and should adhere to the confidentiality clauses in your contract
• Nurses seek appropriate advice/guidance from the senior nurse or school Doctor if there is a nursing issue which cannot be resolved independently
• Organisation of dental and orthodontic programmes
• Organisation of medical visits and collection of prescription medicines
• Medical confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Fraser guidelines applied in all cases when dealing with those pupils under 16 years old
• Clerical/Administrative work should be completed accurately and effectively
• Computer Literacy an advantage.

HEALTH & SAFETY
• Adherence to Health & Safety regulations including COSHH e.g. safe disposal of sharps and clinical waste
• As part of the nursing team, treatment areas are supplied with appropriate equipment and maintained to statutory levels of hygiene
• Infection control measures are applied at all times within the Health Centre and designated areas of the school
• Patients and colleagues are supported in adopting sound infection control measures
• Regular assessment and advice on Health and Safety and Hygiene in the boarding houses/school.


EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
Performance will be satisfactory when:
• Anaphylaxis and resuscitation skills are up to date - annual training
• Emergency drugs/resuscitation equipment is maintained to a high standard at all times
• Training programme for all necessary staff is arranged (eg training for school staff on anaphylaxis).

STOCK CONTROL:
Performance will be satisfactory when:
• The Health Centre is supplied with appropriate equipment and maintained to statutory levels of safety
• The boarding house drug cabinets are appropriately stocked and accurate recordings of administration of medicines are maintained.

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT:
Performance will be satisfactory when:-
• Specific training needs have been met according to that required by the school
• Patients with chronic disease are managed according to their Nursing Care plans and any medical protocols
• Audit is undertaken as requested relating to the nursing team and also clinical audit as agreed within the school
• The annual flu vaccination programme is completed and supported alongside the NHS nursing team

PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION:
• Individual professional registration is maintained by each nurse with NMC
• Appropriate post registration training requirements are met
• Nursing care is delivered at all times in a safe and effective manner in line with the Nursing Code of Conduct
• Individual continuous professional development plans are maintained and kept up to date as required for professional registration
• Each nurse has a Clinical Supervisor who they meet with on a regular basis
• Annual appraisals will be performed, identifying areas of expertise and any training needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
• Clinically based in Health Centre, either at Ashford or Great Chart visiting pupils on site if they become injured or ill.
• Smart professional appearance suitable for the Nursing role you are undertaking
• PPE will be worn and provided when clinical tasks are being undertaken