This position is located in the Department of Health (DOH). DOH promotes health, wellness, and equity across the district, and protects the safety of residents, visitors, and those doing business in the nation’s capital. DOH believes that all people - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability, or geographic location - should have the opportunity to live healthy lives.
The School Health Services Program (SHSP) provides comprehensive school-based healthcare services to students throughout the District of Columbia. The incumbent serves as a Nurse Specialist (Nurse Educator) and is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering orientation, competency-based training, continuing education, and clinical skills validation for School Health Suite staff. The Nurse Educator promotes evidence-based practice, ensures compliance with nursing standards, policies, and regulatory requirements, and serves as a clinical resource to support high-quality healthcare delivery and improved student health outcomes.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Secures health and developmental history from the client, client family and/or parent; records findings and makes health critical evaluation. Performs or requests special screening and developmental and laboratory test and interprets the results. Distinguishes between normal and abnormal findings to recognize early stages of serious physical, emotional or mental problems Evaluates total health care needs of clients and develops plans to meet these needs; makes decisions regarding preliminary/preventative nursing and medical care needs of patients; identifies and manages specific illnesses. Gives directs physiological nursing care in the presence of illness or disability in order to maintain life, provide comfort, reduce distress, and enhance coping ability. Provides surveillance of adherence to medical and nursing regiments to stabilize chronically ill persons; adjusts regimens within established protocols recognizing when to refer the patient to the physician or other health care team remembers. Provides full range of emergency services or crisis intervention in the absence of the physician, including lifesaving emergency procedures in order to stabilize a patient sufficiently to transport to a hospital and/or health care facility Evaluates the nursing and medical aspects of the Plan of Care (POC) and recognizes the need for reassessment by a physician; makes home visits when directed to implement a POC based on individual clients and/or family needs. Provides health care and preventive services to clients, families and/or significant others including guidance in nutrition, common illnesses, accidents, child rearing, and child growth and development. Participates with consulting physician in planning, instituting, evaluating, and revising program and/or treatment plan; assists in determining conditions, resource, and policies essential to delivery of health care services. Attends in-service and specific training, seminars, and workshops as identified by management and/or Federal grant requirements; keeps abreast of advancements in treatment and protocols, specifically those related to the area of assignment.
Plans with medical professionals and external agencies involved in providing services to clients and families; and where appropriate, coordinates health care services. Communicates to the team the assignment, project, problems to be solved, actionable events, milestones, and/or program issues under review. Assists the supervisor with performance management issues and recommends/requests related actions, such as, assignments, reassignments, tour of duty changes, peer reviews and performance appraisals. Prepares reports and maintains records of work accomplishments and administrative information. As required, coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information. Reports on team and staff work performance, accomplishments, problems, and training needs. Serves in a teaching capacity in the development of other health care worker. Schedules and participates in client and interdisciplinary case conferences, quality assurance committees and in-service presentations, where applicable. Participates in and conducts studies relevant to health care, nursing, and program needs. Collaborates with nursing supervisor in setting and interpreting unit goals and objectives and planning effective use of resources.
Qualifications and Education
Must possess a graduate or higher-level degree, bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or diploma from an accredited professional nursing educational program is required. This education must have been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education, or an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Specialized Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least one year (1) of the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.
At least 3 year of hands-on patient experience in a healthcare or school setting within a managerial role is strongly preferred.
Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements
Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation with Automated External Defibrillator Component (CPR/AE0).
Incumbent in this position must have a current license as a Registered Nurse and Advanced Practice Nurse in the District of Columbia, and national certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Incumbent is required to possess a valid driver license in order to operate a government/personal vehicle to conduct site visits and nurse trainings.
Working Conditions / Environment
The work is generally performed in an office setting. However, the incumbent works in an office environment. Incumbent work environments require awareness of surroundings at all time. Incumbent is required to work in community venues to effect training of individuals and organizations in the District of Columbia. Exposure to individuals with contagious diseases is also a factor in this position.
Other Significant Facts
Employment Sponsorship: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa currently.
Agency Wide Consideration: Qualified individuals that submit applications for this vacancy may be considered for other current open vacancies for which they qualify within DC Health.
Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday 8:15am - 4:45pm
Area of Consideration: Open to the Public
Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential
Duration of Appointment: Career Service Term Appointment
Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0610-12
Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by DCNA and you may be required to pay an agency fee (dues) through direct payroll.
Position Designation: This position has been designated as Safety Sensitive. The influence of drugs or alcohol in the performance of your duties may lead to a lapse of attention that could cause actual, immediate, and permanent physical injury or loss of life. Accordingly, your position is considered Safety-Sensitive. As a condition of employment, you must successfully pass a criminal background check, traffic record check (as applicable), and a pre-employment drug and alcohol test. Acceptance of this safety-sensitive position confirms your understanding that you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana. For the duration of your tenure, you must comply with requests (if needed) for periodic criminal background checks, as well as reasonable suspicion, random, post-accident or post-incident, and return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol screenings.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate or retaliate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, family responsibilities, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, homeless status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, participation in a legally protected activity, parental status, matriculation, personal appearance, credit information, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, military service, or other non-merit factor.
