CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALBANY
BUREAU OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
School Physician
Role and Responsibilities
02/2012
Role
The School Physician works with the school administration, School Health Services personnel, health educators, and the community in planning, developing, and implementing a sound, comprehensive school health program that provides education, facilities, and services to promote health and wellness.
Legislative Background
New York State Education Law, Section 902, mandates school districts to employ a competent physician, licensed to practice medicine in New York State, as a medical director.
Qualifications:
A license to practice medicine in New York State
Knowledge of the principles and practices of pediatrics, public health, and school health
Willingness to establish and maintain cooperative relations with administration, health services personnel, teachers, students, parents, and community agencies that interact with the school population
Supervision
The School Physician is a member of school health services team that is within the Bureau of Health and Physical Education. The School Physician reports directly to the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Community Relations.
Employment Period
The School Physician performs his/her duties for the District throughout the 12-month calendar year.
Responsibilities
Deliverer of Health Services:
1. Provides physical appraisals in accordance with Education Law and District policy:
- For children who do not present a certificate from their family physician upon entering school and at intervals required by the New York State Education Department
- For children as may be indicated after referrals by school personnel
- For all students participating in interscholastic activities
- For special class placement or other instruction of the physically handicapped, mentally retarded, and the emotionally disturbed, or prior to their return to a regular class program
- For applicants for employment certificates
- For all staff in accordance with District policy
Manager of Health Care:
- Collaborates with administration and school health services personnel to establish policies governing procedures to be followed in the event of injury or emergency illness of a child or employee
- Annually reviews written protocols governing first aid.
3. Collaborates with administration and school health services personnel in interpreting Public Health Laws governing control of communicable diseases and establishing policies and procedures governing the exclusion and readmission of students and staff in connection with infectious diseases
4. Collaborates with school health services personnel in reviewing and developing cumulative health records for each child
5. Collaborates with school health services personnel to establish policies and procedures governing the exclusion and readmission of students with physical limitations from a regular physical education program and/or from interscholastic sports; and recommends an adjustment of the program to meet the needs of individual students
Consultant for Health Concerns:
1. Serves as a member of the Committee on Special Education and participates with the psychologist, special education teacher, school health services personnel, other school personnel and parents in case conferences when such are indicated
2. Collaborates with school health services personnel to recommend adjustments of the educational program in accordance with individual pupil’s health needs and consults with parents, teachers, and pupils concerning the same
3. Assists school health services personnel in follow-through efforts to secure increased services for children that have physical or psychological difficulties
4. Acts as a consultant to school administrators and school health services personnel on medical problems or practices that are in conflict with the health and safety needs of the total student population
5. Acts as a liaison agent between the school and local physicians and/or health service agencies and interprets school health policies and practices for the medical community and the community at large
6. Provides in-service training on health and wellness issues for administration and staff
7. Provides health information to students, parents, teachers, health services personnel, and administrators
8. Reviews the health literature, instructional materials and health education curriculum for accuracy and relevance and recommends changes to the school administration
Promoter of Sound Health Care Practices:
1. Interprets data from periodic building and grounds surveys and accident report summaries to detect potential health or safety hazards, and reports findings and recommendations to the Director, Bureau of Health and Physical Education
2. Works with school administrators, school health services personnel, and health educators to develop a public information program promoting school health and wellness
3. Serves in an advisory capacity to the District on all matters pertaining to medical, health, nutrition, and physical fitness services provided in the schools
CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALBANY
BUREAU OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
School Nurse Role and Responsibilities
02/2012
Role
The School Nurse works with the school administration, school staff, school physicians, parents and the community in planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining a sound comprehensive school health program that advocates for the health rights of children and families; and provides services, health education and counseling that promotes an optimal level of wellness for students, families and staff. The School Nurse is both a nurse and an educator whose primary focus is health education, health counseling, health consultation and case finding.
Legislative Background
New York State Education Law (Article 19, Section 901-913) and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education define the medical and health services that must be provided by schools and mandate the employment of registered professional nurses to provide said services. New York State Education Law (Article 139, Section 6902) defines the practice of registered professional nursing. Section 118 (which appears as Section 80.3 of Title 8) of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York lists the requirements for certification for a school nurse. These requirements include additional professional preparation that emphasizes an understanding of the educational system, the educational process and methods of instruction.
Qualifications:
A current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning approved by the State Education Department including six semester hours of study in professional education appropriate to the function of the school nurse
Knowledge of theories related to pediatric nursing, public health, health education, educational philosophy, school organization, growth and development, family dynamics, psychology and sociology
A willingness to establish and maintain cooperative relations with administrators, health services personnel, teachers, students, parents, and community agencies that interact with the school population
Supervision
The School Nurse is a member of the school health services team that is within the Bureau of Health and Physical Education. The School Nurse reports directly to the Principal in the building/s to which s/he is assigned and to the Director, Bureau of Health and Physical Education. Supervision is provided by the Health Coordinator.
Employment Period
The School Nurse works under a ten-month contract consistent with the school calendar.
Responsibilities
Provider of Health Services:
1. Uses the nursing process to assess and evaluate the health needs of students in order to plan and implement programs and activities that respond to identified needs
2. Administers medications and treatments per medical orders and parental written authorization based on established guidelines and District policy
3. Follows communicable disease control procedures and informs and advises administration and/or parents regarding school exclusion and readmission
4. Provides care for sick or injured students, according to District policies and protocols
5. Consults with attendance personnel, the building principal, students, and parents regarding chronic absenteeism
6. Develops individualized health care plans with specific goals, objectives, and interventions for the student with special health needs and/or chronic health problems
7. Assists the school physician during school, sports and working paper physical appraisals; interprets significant findings from such exams for students and/or parents and guardians; and conducts follow-up on all students who are referred for additional intervention by the school physician
8. Coordinates and conducts mandated school screening programs and advises parents/guardians of any significant health findings that require professional attention
9. Conducts screening programs for District employees as required by District policy
10. Serves as a liaison between the medical community, the school and the staff regarding student health concerns
11. Plans with administrators, teachers, and other school personnel to modify the school environment for children with special health care needs
Manager of Health Care:
1. Manages all operations of the health office including: updating cumulative health and immunization records; supervising the completion of accident and incident reports; implementing mandated programs; providing statistical summary reports on an annual basis or when otherwise required by the District
2. Schedules and coordinates all school physicals
3. Reviews and evaluates the school health services program regularly and makes recommendations regarding identified needs, necessary program adjustments and beneficial staff development
Consultant for Health Concerns:
1. Serves as a resource person to the school and community regarding physical, emotional, personal, social, and consumer health and safety
2. Makes recommendations to students and parents for seeking diagnosis and treatment for health concerns
3. Interprets findings from medical exams and diagnostic testing and assists in modification of health practices and educational programs to accommodate an individual student's needs
4. Provides in-service training to staff on health and wellness related issues
5. May serve as a member of building level and District wide teams to interpret health related data pertinent to the needs of individual students or the school community
6. Consults and collaborates with health service personnel to develop and disseminate information related to health and wellness issues to the school population
Promoter of Sound Health Care Practices:
1. Implements and reviews the school health service program, practices, services, and activities to determine if they are effective and responsive to the student health needs and consistent with District policy
2. Consults with District advisory groups on matters affecting health and safety
3. Consults with community agencies to assure appropriate utilization of resources
4. Provides individual and group health counseling and guidance to students, parents, and staff
5. Based on identified needs and interest, implements a variety of programs that serve to enhance the health and wellbeing of the school community, including but not limited to: wellness events, Banana Splits, Ombudsman Programs, and conflict management programs
6. Fosters an environment within the school and health office that utilizes opportunities for informal health education and the promotion of wellness
Advocate for the Health Rights of Children:
1. Provides valuable information regarding health, social and psychological issues to various educational committees in order to enhance student achievement
2. Formulates a plan of care with the family and school that will minimize or eliminate the impact of health problems identified through school physicals, screening programs, or other means
3. Assists in the formation of health policies, goals, and objectives for the District
4. Reports suspected child abuse and maltreatment according to District policy
5. Monitors the school environment as well as accident reports and reports to the principal and the Director, Bureau of Health and Physical Education any recommendations for changes to reduce health and safety hazards
6. Conducts home visits in order to: assess factors that affect a student's health or academic performance, provide health counseling to parents/guardians relative to student needs, interpret findings from student health appraisals, and/or provide guidance to families in utilizing appropriate community resources for professional health care
7. Works within the school and community to stimulate the development of services, resources, and programs that respond to the health needs of the school population
CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF ALBANY
BUREAU OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
School Nurse
Role and Responsibilities
02/2012
Role
The School Nurse works with the school administration, school staff, the school physicians, and the community as an advocate for the health rights of children and provides services that promote an optimal level of wellness for students, families, and staff. The primary focus of the School Nurse is the identification and modification or removal of health related barriers to the learning process.
Legislative Background
New York State Education Law (Section 901-913, Article 19) and the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education define the medical and health services which must be provided by schools, as well as the employment of registered professional nurses to provide said services. New York State Education Law (Section 6902, Article 139) defines the practice of registered professional nursing.
Qualifications:
A current license to practice as a Registered Professional Nurse in New York State
A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning approved by the State Education Department is preferred
Knowledge of theories related to pediatric nursing, public health, growth and development, and school organization
A willingness to establish and maintain cooperative relations with administrators, health services personnel, teachers, students, parents, and community agencies that interact with the school population
Supervision
The School Nurse is a member of the school health services team that is within the Bureau of Health and Physical Education. The School Nurse reports directly to the principal in the building/s to which s/he is assigned and to the Director, Bureau of Health and Physical Education. Supervision is provided by the Health Coordinator.
Employment Period
The School Nurse works under a ten-month contract consistent with the school calendar.
Responsibilities
Provider of Health Services:
1. Uses the nursing process to assess and evaluate the health needs of students in order to plan and implement activities that respond to identified needs
2. Administers medications and treatments per medical orders and parental written authorization based on established guidelines and District policy
3. Follows communicable disease control procedures and informs and advises administrators and/or parents regarding school exclusion and readmission
4. Provides care for students with or accidents according to District policies and protocols
5. Consults with attendance personnel, the building principal, students and parents regarding chronic absenteeism
6. Develops individualized health care plans with specific goals, objectives, and interventions for the student with special health needs and/or chronic health problems
7. Assists the school physician during school, sports and working paper physicals; interprets significant findings from such exams for students and/or parents and guardians; and conducts follow-up on all students who are referred for additional intervention by the school physician
8. Coordinates and conducts mandated school screening programs and advises the parent/guardian of any significant health findings that require professional attention
9. Conducts screening programs for District employees as required by District policy
10. Serves as a liaison between the medical community, the school and the staff regarding student health concerns
11. Advises administrators, teachers, and other school personnel of the need to modify the school environment for children with special health care needs
Manager of Health Care:
1. Manages all operations of the health office including: updating of cumulative health and immunization records; supervising the completion of accident and incident reports; implementing mandated programs; providing statistical summary reports on an annual basis or when otherwise required by the District
2. Schedules and coordinates all school physicals
3. Reviews and evaluates the school health services program regularly and makes recommendations regarding identified needs, necessary program adjustments and beneficial staff development
Consultant for Health Concerns:
1. Serves as a resource person for the school in matters related to health and safety
2. Makes recommendations to students and parents for seeking diagnoses and treatments for health concerns
3. Interprets findings from medical exams and diagnostic testing
4. Disseminates information provided by the Bureau of Health and Physical Education relating to health and wellness to students, parents, and staff
5. May serve as a member of building level and District wide teams to interpret health related data pertinent to the needs of the school community
Promoter of Sound Health Care Practices:
1. Implements and reviews the school health service program, practices, services, and activities to determine if they are effective and responsive to the student health needs and consistent with the District policy
2. Consults with District advisory groups on matters affecting health and safety
3. Consults with community agencies to assure appropriate utilization of resources
4. Provides individual health guidance for students and parents/guardians of students with acute or chronic illness
5. Assesses the need for individual counseling and guidance and refers students in need to the appropriate school staff or community agency
Advocate for the Health Rights of Children:
1. Formulates a plan of care with the family and school that will eliminate or minimize the impact of health problems identified through school physicals, screening programs, or other means
2. Assists in the formation of health policies, goals, and objectives for the District
3. Reports suspected child abuse and maltreatment according to District policy
4. Monitors the school environment and accident reports, and reports recommendations for changes to reduce health and safety hazards to the principal and the Director, Bureau of Health and Physical Education
5. Works within the school and community to stimulate the development of services and/or resources that respond to the health needs of the school population
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