Easterseals Academy is a therapeutic school that provides schooling for children with an autism spectrum disorder, emotional disability, developmental delay, or intellectual disability. School districts refer students to Easterseals Academy where the schools provide an alternative school placement for these students to help them to achieve independence. Easterseals Academy has three campuses, located in Chicago, Machesney Park, and Tinley Park.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.

The Nurse is accountable to deliver nursing services as mandated on student IEP’s in accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education requirements, manage student health files and ensure compliance with all state and local governing bodies, and to respond to all emergency situations within the school involving students and staff members.

This position is located at the Easterseals Academy - Machesney Park Campus at 8301 Mitchell Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115.

MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Adhere to all mandated reporter and OIG guidelines at all times.
• Complete health assessments and review intake materials to become familiar with students on admission throughout the school year.
• Follow-up with parents and/or private physicians (psychiatrists and pediatricians) with health concerns and report results to team members throughout the school year.
• Accept, review, and follow physician orders for medications and document their administration throughout the school year.
• Administer medication to all students having both doctor’s and parent’s permission throughout the school year.
• Maintain and monitor all student medication permission slips throughout the school year.
• Prepare necessary documentation and actively participate in all scheduled medical reviews on caseload throughout the school year.
• Interact with the School Administrator/Program Coordinator/Clinical Coordinator and classroom staff regarding recommendations throughout the school year.
• Participate in classroom team meetings as needed on caseload throughout the school year.
• Participate in at least 2 outside trainings per school year directly related to serving students with special needs, particularly those diagnosed with autism.
• Participate in all scheduled in-house trainings throughout the school year.
• Update student IEP goals quarterly.
• Participate in all scheduled clinical meetings throughout the school year.
• Assist classrooms during extracurricular activities and field trips as needed throughout the school year.
• Complete required in-house and district-mandated documentation and/or billing requirements.
• Participate in IEP/FIE meetings as needed throughout the school year.
• Provide 2-3 in-services, either individually or in conjunction with another clinical area, for entire staff throughout the school year.
• Establish and maintain a consistent form of communication with the parents/guardians of students as needed throughout the school year.
• Provide support, resources, and recommendations for all classrooms on caseload as needed throughout the school year.
• Complete goal sheets for all students receiving direct and/or consult services at least one week prior to IEP/FIE and place in back of student main file throughout the school year.
• Document all medically related incidents, phone contacts with parents, nursing staff, physicians, etc. throughout the school year.
• Examine all students/staff following emergency physical restraints or other incidents and document on the appropriate form throughout the school year.
• Respond to all emergency situations throughout the school year.
• Evaluate ill/injured students and determine whether or not he or she should be sent home throughout the school year.
• Ensure that all medication is properly organized, discarded, and safe from harm’s way throughout the school year.
• Track direct and consultative nursing services via detailed daily schedule and note records throughout the school year.
• Provide/maintain first-aid kits with needed supplies in all classrooms throughout the school year.
• Maintain and stock all needed supplies throughout the school year.
• Provide education/information to students, families, and staff as indicated by medical team about medication and any health-related topics throughout the school year.
• Submit regular supply orders to school administrator as needed throughout the school year.
• Assist the school social worker and administration in dealing with and documenting issues of student abuse and neglect throughout the school year.
• Wear appropriate medical garments, such as lab coat or scrubs, daily throughout the school year.
• Schedule substitute nurse as needed throughout the school year.
• Participate in “all school” field trips throughout the school year.
• All other duties as assigned.

Education/Certification:

• Illinois State Licensed Practical Nurse certification.

Experience Required:

• 2 years’ experience working with special needs students.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to multi-task in a high stress environment.
• Ability to interact with diverse personalities.
• Ability to perform all functions necessary to obtain certification in agency required crisis prevention and intervention training and CPR.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.