School Nurse

The position of Registered Nurse supports students with primary nursing care (physical and mental health needs) with its associated administrative responsibilities and is essential to ensure the well-being and safety of students facing medical and or mental health challenges within our school community.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide expert first aid care when required, supporting students with complex medical conditions and with low level mental health conditions.

The nurse will play a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining a first aid room service at the College, working with the Director of Student Welfare in developing and implementing policies and procedures in accordance with relevant legislation, ensuring that the school remains compliant with all healthcare regulations. 

Hours:  9 am till 3 pm.

Monday to Friday.

Part time, Term-time only.

Reporting Responsibilities:

The Registered School Nurse will be responsible to the Principal and report directly to the Director of Student Welfare.

Darling Downs Adventist College (formerly known as Darling Downs Christian School) is located within the garden city of Toowoomba. The K-12 school has an enrolment of approximately 330 and provides a family atmosphere where students have close and supportive contact with their teachers and peers. Students are provided with an education that is personal, nurturing and targeted towards developing their individual abilities. For more information about the school please visit the school website.

LOCATION:

Darling Downs Adventist College (Glenvale, Toowoomba, South Queensland, Australia)

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Qualification and Experience:

The successful applicant will hold the following qualification and experience:

- tertiary qualification as a Registered Nurse

• registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Division 1. (APRAH )
• hold or be eligible to or hold a Blue Card or equivalent
• hold or obtain a current Level 2 First Aid Certificate within the first 3 months of employment
• hold or obtain Anaphylaxis and Asthma training either before or soon after commencing employment.
• hold or obtain training in management of head injuries, before or soon after commencing employment
• desirable but not essential: experience in Emergency and or paediatric nursing or child health.

The applicant must also be willing and able to adhere to the Nursing Code of Ethics and the Nursing Code of Practice. 

Only those with a legal right to work in Australia may apply, and the appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and to close applications early.

Examples of tasks:

• Clinical assessment of ill or injured students, staff or volunteers, including calling an Ambulance.
• Providing health and nursing support to students with chronic health issues.
• Demonstrate a genuine care for the health and wellbeing needs of the students.
• Possess a thorough knowledge of the health and wellbeing issues that are present in a school context.
• Organize and assist with vaccination clinics.
• Dispense prescribed medication with parental consent.
• Order and restock First Aid kits around the College.
• Review and monitor Asthma management plans in conjunction with medical professionals and parents.
• Review and monitor Anaphylaxis management plans in conjunction with medical professionals and parents.
• Acting as a resource person for College activities including off-campus excursions and camps in the context of health delivery.
• Actively pursuing best practice in the areas of responsibilities through ongoing professional development.
• Contact and liaise with Queensland Ambulance if required.
• Assist with Health Education within the School, fostering preventative health practices.
• Ensure communication with parents regarding their child’s health or promotion of health issues is consistent and efficient.  Contact and liaise with parents to report an incident or coordinate the collection of their child.
• Respond to accidents during sporting carnivals, sports days, playground incidents.
• Support students accessing the Student Support Lounge and refer to Director of Student Welfare if required.
• Support and review students with a Health Support Plan.
• Refer to Director of Student Welfare for students with complex mental health presentations.
• Attend school camps as negotiated.
• Be able to effectively manage the confidentiality and privacy aspects of the role.
• Commitment to accurate documentation. 
• Following any mandatory reporting and child protection policies within government legislation and DDAC guidelines.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Hold current qualifications as a Registered Nurse and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
• Hold a current first aid certificate and be willing to obtain a Level 2 First Aid certificate.
• Experience as a School Nurse, emergency nursing or peadiatric nursing is desirable.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of responsibility and confidentiality in a school environment.
• Experience in an acute care setting with the ability to triage patients is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to cope in stressful and demanding situations.
• Experience in Child, Adolescent and Family health and possess a high level of interpersonal skills to understand and communicate effectively with students P to 12.
• Ability to work co-operatively with a variety of stake holders, including medical practitioners, parents, visitors, teaching and ancillary staff.
• Ability to show initiative and to work independently when required.
• Presentation and appearance appropriate to the position.
• Experience in the use of computer programs, and ability to readily learn new systems.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Applications can be emailed to the College Director of Student Welfare at ***************@ddac.qld.edu.au. Applications should include a letter of application addressing the selection criteria and a current résumé with a minimum of three referees including contact details.

SALARY RANGE:                            

Classification: Level 7 under the Education Services (Schools) General Staff Award.

CLOSING DATE:

15 April 2024