School Nurse

Our client is an independent preparatory boarding school for about 120 boys aged 7 to 13. The School is set in 75 acres of Berkshire common land close to Newbury, yet close to the M4 and only an hour from Heathrow airport.

A vacancy has arisen for a School Nurse to join their professional nursing team for September or sooner. The successful candidate should be enthusiastic, kind and with experience in a school setting desirable, the working hours require some flexibility and include on call overnight sleeping duties. Modern accommodation and all meals, when on duty, and uniform are provided.

Qualifications
· RGN, valid NMC Pin with current re-validation

Knowledge and Experience
· Experience of School Nursing, A&E, Minor injuries, First Aid Experience or Practice Nurse Experience
· Knowledge of 7 to 13 year old boys
· Sound knowledge of childhood illness, minor injuries and assessment

Skills and Abilities
· Able to recognise and support Pupils with emotional and psychological issues
· Clear Communicator, working as part of Multi-disciplinary Team
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
· Clear empathy and understanding of boys development and needs
· Proficient IT skills
· Accurate and efficient Record keeping
· Excellent listening skills
· Ability to recognise and support children with emotional and psychological issues

When on duty
· Responsible to the Headmaster (and Lead Nurse) for the physical and emotional and mental health of all pupils at the school.
· Work under the direction of the Lead School Nurse
· Ensuring the safety and well-being of children adhering to and complying with the Horris Hill School's Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy at all times.
· Administration, safe storage, recording and disposal of medicines

· Work closely with the school doctor, sports department, boarding house parents, teachers and tutors and parents in the interest of the pupils
· Attending to on call and first aid requests to anyone on the premises at home matches and if necessary, away
· Taking duties in the boarding houses supervising healthcare needs
· Attending to pupils in sick bay
· Maintaining accurate records / medical notes
· Accident / Incident reporting
· Contributing to the delivery of health education including PSHE lessons
· Maintenance of first aid kits, undergoing regular first aid training
· Ordering / stock control of medical supplies
· Ensuring medical cover is maintained in the Health Centre
· Maintaining professional competence and personal development through identifying and attending training courses
· Participating and working towards school inspections
· Regular health assessments, maintenance, improvement and evaluation of pupils' health
· Liaise closely with parents on all matters concerning the health and welfare of their children
· Attend school meals, taking table and supervise children
· Ensure all necessary staff have access to specific health issues of individual pupils
· Provide regular access to Health Centre 'surgery' during various times of the day
· Giving all pupils the opportunity to discuss health or welfare issues in private
· Maintaining pupil dignity and privacy
· Provide first aid cover for parents and visitors as needed
· Assist at match teas.
· Oversee boys' showers and the collecting in of school games kit.
Personal Skills
· Confident in decision making
· Kind, compassionate, calm and empathetic
· Flexible, reliable and good communicator
· Energetic
· Problem solver
· Organised
· Disciplined, professional and hard working
· Reliable and consistent
· Fun and approachable with a willingness to help out

Hours of Work
The School is fully operational 7 days per week between the hours of 7.00am and 9.00pm during term time, and 9.00am to 5.00pm from the Monday in week in which the boys return. On Call overnight duties are included in the post during which accommodation is provided in the Nurse's flat. Call outs are infrequent due to the experience of the resident house parents in dealing with most matters at night, however, on occasions, boys staying overnight in the Health Centre may need to be attended.
The shifts are 0700 - 1430, 1400 - 2130 and 2100 - 0730. The number of shifts offered can be discussed at interview. However even then some flexibility as to particular days / nights and occasional working of additional hours may be required. Some weekend working is expected.