Defining the Role of the
Certified Nurse Practitioner in the School Setting
Definition:
A certified nurse practitioner (CNP) is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in
nursing. The CNP must have a current National Certification in an area recognized by
West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) for Registered Professional Nurse.
Job Summary
The certified nurse practitioner functions in collaboration with a physician and delivers
primary health care (medical) to patients, as well as fulfilling such duties as
assessment, planning, teaching, counseling, diagnosis, and treatment that may include
prescriptive authority within the Advanced Practice Nurse’s licensed scope of practice
and/or agency policy. The practitioner functions as a health team member in meeting
the objectives of the school health program in collaboration with the school based
health center and/or other health agencies, as appropriate to ensure continuity of care.
Performance Requirements:
1. Ability to implement philosophy and objectives of the county school system,
School Based Health Center, and/or other health agencies (collaborating
physician).
2. Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with affiliated agencies, such as
health care providers, the county board of education and school personnel, as
appropriate within approved protocols and policies.
3. Ensures proper illness and injury care, disease prevention, wellness promotion
and follow up.
4. Ensures appropriate, accurate and complete documentation while maintaining
confidentiality.
5. Ability to function independently and recognize when consultation is appropriate.
6. Ability to provide health education on an individual or group basis.
7. Ability to work with other professionals and a diverse group of clientele.
8. Ability to communicate effectively with the student, to make decisions as to when
issues of health and safety may supercede that of confidentiality.
9. Ability to effectively convey information to a parent and follow up with a parent.
Devised: June 22, 2007
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Defining the Role of the
Certified Nurse Practitioner in the School Setting
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Provide direct patient care for those students and/or staff and community
consenting to public school health services directed by the certified school nurse
practitioner and/or school based health center that may include:
 Perform comprehensive physical exams
 Administer vaccinations according to the Advisory Committee of
Immunization Practices per collaborating physician policy, procedure
and/or standing protocol
 Assessment, treatment and management of acute and chronic illness
 Prescribe medications in accordance with the WV Nurse Practice Act
 Order and evaluate laboratory tests
 Provide appropriate follow-up management of health care
2. Demonstrate evidence of continuing professional growth by involvement in
continuing education, peer review, and the review of protocols and procedures,
and participate in, design and/or conduct research.
3. Act as a health care consultant to assist school personnel and demonstrate
through his/her involvement the ability to work as a member of the case
management team, offer information in his/her area of expertise and integrate
information from other health care providers.
4. Collaborate and contribute to county school health service’s program as needed
and/or request to foster or facilitate an integrated system.
Supervision
1. Receive supervision and/or consultation from the county school health service’s
supervisor.
2. Maintain an autonomous collaborative agreement with the collaborative
physicians and supervising agency in accordance with WV Code §19-8-3.
Professional and Educational Requirements
1. Valid and current registered nurse license issued by the WV Board of Examiners
for Professional Registered Nurses for advanced practice.
2. Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution of higher learning.
3. Two to four years of experience in the field of school health or in a related area.
4. National board certification as a nurse practitioner in an area of specialty as
recognized by WV Board of Examiners for Professional Registered Nurses and
West Virginia State Board of Education Policy 5202.
Devised: June 22, 2007
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Defining the Role of the
Certified Nurse Practitioner in the School Setting
Committee Members
Brian Crist ,CEO
Lincoln Primary Care Center
Pamela Dice RN, CNP
Lincoln County Schools
Paula Fields RN, MSN
School Health Technical Assistance
and
Evaluation Center at Marshall University
Rebecca King RN, MSN
Office of Healthy Schools
Heather Wood RN, CNP
Cabell County Schools
and
School Based Health Center
Robin Yearout RN, CNP
Cabell County Schools
and
School Based Health Center
Devised: June 22, 2007
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