Registered Nurses (School Nurses) are employed by the Sarasota County Health Department or the Sarasota County School Board. The nurse acts as a resource person and consultant to the principal and other school personnel. Nurses will visit assigned schools to assist personnel to identify the physical, social, and emotional needs of students. Conferences to discuss issues relating to children’s health will be initiated by teachers, parents, or by the nurse. The ultimate goal of school nursing practice is to support students’ optimal state of health to promote student’s capacity for successful learning. School health services may include, but are not limited to, interpretation of medical records, assessment of students’ symptoms, trouble shooting technical medical devices, health appraisals, health education, active listening, case management, direct care, counseling, advocacy, and health screenings.
Providing health appraisals for the identification and management of actual or potential health problems, which include, but are not limited to: nursing assessments, nutrition assessments, vision, hearing, scoliosis, and growth and developmental screenings.
Providing health consultations for students, parents, staff, and physicians regarding referral and follow-up of suspected or confirmed health problems.
Assisting with an operational plan for the management of emergency health needs in each school.
Assisting through consultation to implement health education and curriculum.
Ensuring the establishment of a Cumulative School Health Record on each student and documentation of identified health problems and corrective measures taken. A separate professional treatment record shall be used to document confidential health services.
Conducting ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
Providing health-related information on students seeking placement or reevaluation of placement in exceptional student programs.
Ensuring that medical services (invasive procedures) are provided by appropriately trained individuals.
Developing a procedure for assisting students in the administration of medications during school hours.
Monitoring staff designated by the principal to administer medications.
Ensuring that no student will be admitted or attend any public or non-public school without proper documentation of Florida Certification of Immunization or Florida Certification of Immunization Exemption (DH Form 680) as required.
Ensuring that all students entering Florida schools for the first time, including Pre-K, have a health examination within the past twelve months.
Working with families for referrals, linkage to services, and advocacy.