Walpole Public Schools Health Services

The School Nurse

• Develops policies, programs, and procedures for the provision of school health services

• Advocates for individual students.

• Promotes student independence and self-management.

• Advocates for safety and develops medical emergency response plans.

• Provides health education, health screenings, nursing assessment, and care, including medication administration in school.

• Manages infectious disease, including promotion of vaccine, school-wide infection control measures, disease surveillance and reporting and collaboration with the Local Board of Health and the State Department of Public health to promote a healthy school environment.

• Promotes health equity, assisting students and families in connecting with healthcare services, financial resources, shelter, food, and health promotion.

• Coordinates care between medical providers, family, and school.

• Participates in interdisciplinary teams, bringing health expertise necessary to develop student plans (504, Individual Health Care Plans, IEP as needed).

• Engages in continuous quality improvement, using data collection and research.

Reference: National Association of School Nurses (2016), the Role of the 21st Century School Nurse (Position Statement). Silver Spring, MD: Author.