Job Purpose

The School Nurse will be responsible for assessing and managing the health needs of students, providing first aid and medical care, and promoting health education and prevention programs within the school community. Assessing pupils health needs to develop appropriate patient care plans, including determining when sick or injured pupils should be sent home, seek follow-up medical care, and, if warranted, be referred for emergency transport to a hospital setting. Treat pupils’ minor injuries, illnesses, and chronic conditions by providing appropriate standards of care and conduct screening.

Summary of Key Responsibilities:

• Identify patient service requirements by establishing a personal rapport with student patients, teachers and school staff, families, outside medical service providers, and other people in a position to understand individual student health needs and service requirements.
• Maintain a fully stocked medical centre in rotation with other Nurses
• Notify and advise school management on any significant health issues inside the school or in the wider community
• Advise on school health policies and maintain all relevant medical records
• Assist with routine annual medical and stress checks of staff and students
• Collect medication and prepare relevant information for staff prior to day/residential
• Attend school sports fixtures as an onsite nurse to treat any sports related injuries
• Provide relevant medical related advice to parents when requested
• Liaise with Head of Boarding and/or Housemasters/mistresses on all medical issues pertaining to Boarding House students
• Maintain full and up-to-date medical records on all students and staff
• Maintain quality of care by adhering to staff policies and procedures, state board of nursing requirements, and other governing agency regulations, and measuring health outcomes against standards.
• Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to students, families, and staff.
• Promote patients’ independence by establishing patient care goals and teaching and counseling students, family, and staff to reinforce their understanding of disease and self-care.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment and maintains and promotes hygiene practices in the nurse’s office, classrooms, and throughout the school.
• Foster a cooperative relationship among nursing team members, faculty and staff, and parents and guardians by communicating information, responding to requests, and participating in team problem-solving.
• Collaborate with parents, family physicians, teachers, school social workers, and multidisciplinary professional staff to implement individualized student care, particularly for students with chronic conditions.
• Take ill/injured students or staff to hospital when necessary
• Communicating to relevant staff ‘High Risk’ medical problems of specific students
• Inform relevant Teachers, Heads or the School Counsellor if any student exhibits psychosociological problems or confides in the nurse.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication skills – ability to clearly communicate with people at all levels especially pupils of all ages and all nationalities
• Attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to remain calm whilst under pressure
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to take control of an emergency situation, to work quickly and direct others
• Ability to work under time pressures whilst continuing to prioritise and perform effectively
• High standards of dress and professional behaviour
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and commitment in a work environment

Primary Areas of Accountability:

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma in Nursing or related
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree preferred.
• Must have at least a minimum of 3+ years nursing work experience preferably as a School Nurse
• Must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia
• Knowledge of pediatric healthcare practices, assessment, and treatment protocols.
• Certified in First Aid, CPR and AED for adults and children
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Compassion, empathy, and sensitivity to the needs of students and families.
• Adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing healthcare needs and emergencies.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and Microsoft Office suite.

QUALIFIED FEMALES & THE DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

• Identify patient service requirements by establishing a personal rapport with student patients, teachers and school staff, families, outside medical service providers, and other people in a position to understand individual student health needs and service requirements.
• Maintain a fully stocked medical centre in rotation with other Nurses
• Notify and advise school management on any significant health issues inside the school or in the wider community
• Advise on school health policies and maintain all relevant medical records
• Assist with routine annual medical and stress checks of staff and students
• Collect medication and prepare relevant information for staff prior to day/residential
• Attend school sports fixtures as an onsite nurse to treat any sports related injuries
• Provide relevant medical related advice to parents when requested
• Liaise with Head of Boarding and/or Housemasters/mistresses on all medical issues pertaining to Boarding House students
• Maintain full and up-to-date medical records on all students and staff
• Maintain quality of care by adhering to staff policies and procedures, state board of nursing requirements, and other governing agency regulations, and measuring health outcomes against standards.
• Establishes a compassionate environment by providing emotional and psychological support to students, families, and staff.
• Promote patients’ independence by establishing patient care goals and teaching and counseling students, family, and staff to reinforce their understanding of disease and self-care.
• Maintain a safe and clean working environment and maintains and promotes hygiene practices in the nurse’s office, classrooms, and throughout the school.
• Foster a cooperative relationship among nursing team members, faculty and staff, and parents and guardians by communicating information, responding to requests, and participating in team problem-solving.
• Collaborate with parents, family physicians, teachers, school social workers, and multidisciplinary professional staff to implement individualized student care, particularly for students with chronic conditions.
• Take ill/injured students or staff to hospital when necessary
• Communicating to relevant staff ‘High Risk’ medical problems of specific students
• Inform relevant Teachers, Heads or the School Counsellor if any student exhibits psychosociological problems or confides in the nurse.

• Excellent communication skills – ability to clearly communicate with people at all levels especially pupils of all ages and all nationalities
• Attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to remain calm whilst under pressure
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to take control of an emergency situation, to work quickly and direct others
• Ability to work under time pressures whilst continuing to prioritise and perform effectively
• High standards of dress and professional behaviour
• Flexibility, enthusiasm and commitment in a work environment

• Diploma in Nursing or related
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree preferred.
• Must have at least a minimum of 3+ years nursing work experience preferably as a School Nurse
• Must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Zambia
• Knowledge of pediatric healthcare practices, assessment, and treatment protocols.
• Certified in First Aid, CPR and AED for adults and children
• Strong assessment, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Compassion, empathy, and sensitivity to the needs of students and families.
• Adaptability and flexibility to respond to changing healthcare needs and emergencies.
• Proficiency in electronic health records (EHR) systems and Microsoft Office suite.