Reformatted 8/01

Professional Teaching Standards for Professional Nurses

The Educational Health Specialist demonstrates a depth and breadth of knowledge of theory and content in the field of educational health and demonstrates the ability to integrate this knowledge into the total school environment.

This is demonstrated by:

• acquires and maintains current knowledge and competence in educational health services program.
• demonstrates understanding of current laws, rules, and regulations affecting area of practice, public schools, and special education.
• identifies the relationship between health status and the student's ability to learn.
• utilizes opportunities to communicate and clarify the role of nurses within the educational setting.

The Educational Health Specialist demonstrates the ability to organize and manage information and the environment to enhance the educational health environment.

This is demonstrated by:

• consulting with administration to establish, review, and revise procedures for a comprehensive health program.
• communicating health needs of students to appropriate school staff.
• orienting, supervising, and evaluating health assistants and others involved in health services delivery, as appropriate.
• providing formal health instruction in the classroom based on sound learning and theory appropriate to student's developmental level.
• providing individual/group health teaching/counseling for students, parents, and staff.
• acting as a resource person in health education to school personnel, students, and families in promotion, prevention, wellness, and other self-care strategies

The Educational Health Specialist is responsible for assessing student health and developing appropriate intervention strategies.

This is demonstrated by:

• selecting and administering formal and informal assessment tools and procedures appropriate to the student, for health evaluation.
• analyzing assessment data to develop a plan of care to facilitate the student's educational program.
• interpreting results of assessment and summarizing implications for student program.
• systematically evaluating and reviewing interventions to revise plan of care, as appropriate.
• completing assessment reports, records, and other required paperwork in a timely manner.

The Educational Health Specialist collaborates with family members and the community in the delivery of health and social services.

This is demonstrated by:

• functioning as a liaison for the school in ongoing school/community/agency cooperation related to health issues.
• interpreting health-related characteristics and needs of students to parents, teachers, and other professionals as they pertain to the student's educational program.
• in accordance with federal and state confidentiality requirements, protecting the student's and family's right to privacy.
• organizing and/or participating in facilitation of meetings with parents and educational personnel to review and plan for the student's health needs.
• identifying community agencies as resources for students and families, and evaluating each for appropriateness for client's needs to include: eligibility criteria, costs, accessibility, and other factors that may impact services to client.
• participating in school/community collaborative health projects.
• functioning as home/school liaison by making home visits as necessary to network and collect data regarding health issues as related to the student's educational program.

The Educational Health Specialist promotes best practice by continued professional enhancement and by demonstrating professional conduct.

This is demonstrated by:

• participating in professional activities at local, state, or national level.
• pursing continued professional growth and development through educational programs.
• maintaining professional responsibility, accountability, and behavior.
• participating in evaluation of the efficacy of ongoing programs and communicating findings to administration and program managers.
• following through on recommendations included in periodic and annual personnel.