Community Experience Nurse

ABOUT THE SCHOOL: 

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Community Experience Registered Nurse (RN) provides professional nursing support to students participating in off-campus community-based instructional activities, including community experience trips, vocational and volunteer opportunities, recreational outings, and field trips. The nurse ensures students can safely access educational and community experiences by providing nursing care, medication administration, emergency preparedness, and coordination of health-related services. 

When community outings are not scheduled, the Community Experience RN serves as an on-campus substitute nurse to support the Health Services Department and ensure continuity of nursing care. Occasional schedule flexibility may be required based on student programming and community-based activities. 

The Community Experience RN plays a critical role in ensuring students with complex health needs can safely participate in meaningful educational and community-based experiences while promoting independence, inclusion, and student success. 

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Working Schedule: Mondays-Fridays 6a-2p; 189 days per year

Compensation: Based on degree, certifications, and experience according to Collective Bargaining Unit salary scale

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community-Based Nursing Care 

• Provide professional nursing care for students participating in community-based instructional activities, including field trips, vocational experiences, volunteer opportunities, and recreational outings. 

• Administer medications, treatments, enteral feedings, and other nursing interventions in accordance with physician orders, nursing standards of practice, and school policies and procedures. 

• Monitor student health status and respond appropriately to medical concerns and emergencies during community activities. 

• Ensure students with complex medical needs can safely access educational and community experiences. 

Medical Preparation and Emergency Readiness 

• Prepare and transport all required medications, emergency medications, medical supplies, feeding supplies, and health documentation for community outings. 

• Verify medication orders, expiration dates, dosages, and student-specific emergency plans prior to departure. 

• Ensure student health information, emergency protocols, and nursing resources are maintained and readily accessible. 

• Maintain readiness to respond to medical emergencies in community settings. 

Specialized Student Care 

• Provide nursing support for students with seizure disorders, including implementation of Seizure Action Plans, administration of rescue medications, and appropriate use of Vagus Nerve Stimulator (VNS) devices. 

• Provide nursing care for students requiring enteral feedings and other specialized health procedures, including administration of G-J tube feedings and support of classroom staff administering G-tube feedings according to schedule. 

• Assess and address routine medical concerns and troubleshoot minor equipment or feeding tube issues within the RN scope of practice. 

Communication and Collaboration 

• Communicate relevant health information with families, classroom staff, Certified School Nurses (CSNs), and school administrators as appropriate. 

• Serve as a health resource to educational teams regarding student health needs and emergency procedures. 

• Provide informal and formal instruction to staff related to student health care and safety. 

Documentation and Compliance 

• Complete accurate and timely documentation of nursing care, medication administration, incidents, medication errors, and other health-related activities in accordance with school policies and regulatory requirements. 

• Maintain confidentiality and compliance with all applicable healthcare and educational regulations. 

On-Campus Nursing Support 

• Serve as an on-campus substitute nurse when community outings are not scheduled or when nursing coverage is needed. 

• Assist with residential student morning medication administration and health needs to support the transition from residential services to the school day. 

Physical Requirements 

• Must be able to travel to community sites and program locations as required (may include traveling in varying weather conditions). 

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods (up to 8 hours) throughout the workday. 

• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching to provide direct care in non-clinical environments (classrooms, community settings). 

• Ability to lift, transfer, and/or reposition clients, with or without assistance, typically up to 50 pounds; may occasionally require heavier assisted lifts using proper safety techniques or equipment. 

• Manual dexterity and fine motor skills sufficient for administering medications, operating medical equipment, and documenting care electronically. 

• Visual and auditory ability to assess client conditions, monitor safety, and respond to verbal and non-verbal cues in varied environments. 

• Ability to work in environments that may be physically non-standard (tight spaces, stairs, uneven flooring, limited accessibility). 

• Ability to respond quickly in emergency situations, including rapid movement or physical assistance to ensure client safety. 

• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods as needed (gloves, masks, gowns, etc.). 

• Ability to maintain focus and perform documentation tasks while in field settings, including use of mobile devices or laptops. 

• Ability to travel on school transportation and navigate community environments. 

Typical Daily Schedule (*subject to change based on student programming and community-based activities) 

6:00 a.m. – 6:30 a.m. 

• Receive residential student shift report from overnight nursing staff and/or supervisor. 

6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. 

• Prepare and administer residential students’ morning medications. 

• Encourage students to report to the Health Center for medication administration when appropriate. 

• Assist with student health needs to facilitate timely transition from overnight services. 

7:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. 

• Continue administration of morning medications and provide nursing support to residential students. 

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 

• Gather medications, supplies, equipment, and student health information for scheduled community experiences. 

• Confirm student attendance and adjust preparations as needed. 

9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

• Attend and provide nursing support during community-based outings, vocational experiences, volunteer opportunities, and field trips. 

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. 

• Complete documentation and required health records. 

• Communicate with families and school staff regarding significant health concerns. 

• Report relevant information to assigned nursing teams. 

• Prepare medications, supplies, and plans for upcoming community experiences. 

An Equal Opportunity Employer

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current Pennsylvania Registered Nurse (RN) license required. 
• Minimum of 3 years nursing experience required. 
• Experience working with children and adolescents with multiple disabilities preferred. 
• Experience supporting students with visual impairments and complex medical needs preferred. 
• Strong assessment, communication, organization, and critical thinking skills. 
• Ability to work independently in community settings and respond effectively to medical emergencies.