About this role
JOB SUMMARY
International School of Kigali (ISK) is seeking a qualified, experienced, and compassionate School Nurse to provide professional health services to students and support the health and safety of the wider school community.
The School Nurse is responsible for providing first aid and nursing care, responding to medical emergencies, managing student health information and medication, supporting students with ongoing medical needs, promoting health and hygiene, and contributing to a safe and healthy school environment.
The School Nurse works closely with students, parents/guardians, staff and external healthcare providers to ensure that students' health needs are appropriately supported within the school environment.
The School Nurse will also contribute to the school's safeguarding and child protection efforts by identifying and appropriately reporting concerns in accordance with ISK's safeguarding policies and procedures.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Health Services and First Aid
• Provide professional first aid and nursing care to students who become ill or injured during the school day.
• Provide appropriate first aid and emergency assistance to staff and visitors on campus when required.
• Assess illness and injuries and determine appropriate follow-up, including referral to parents/guardians, healthcare providers, or emergency services when necessary.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to medical emergencies on campus.
• Support students returning to school following illness, injury, hospitalization, or other significant health events.
• Maintain a safe, clean, confidential, and appropriately equipped school health office.
2. Student Medical Needs and Individual Health Plans
• Maintain appropriate health information and support plans for students with medical conditions or additional health needs.
• Develop and maintain individualized health plans and emergency action plans, in collaboration with parents/guardians for students with conditions such as severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, or other significant medical needs.
• Ensure relevant staff members are appropriately informed of student medical needs on a need-to-know basis.
• Support students with chronic or ongoing medical conditions so they can participate safely and fully in school activities.
• Coordinate appropriate follow-up with families and healthcare providers when necessary.
3. Medication Management
• Manage the safe storage, administration, documentation, and disposal of student medications in accordance with ISK policy and applicable professional requirements.
• Administer medication only when appropriate authorization and documentation are in place.
• Maintain accurate medication administration records.
• Ensure emergency medications are appropriately stored, accessible, monitored, and within their expiry dates.
• Communicate with parents/guardians regarding medication requirements and changes to student health needs.
• Educate relevant staff regarding appropriate emergency procedures for students with significant medical conditions.
4. Health Records and Confidentiality
• Maintain accurate, current, and confidential student health records.
• Maintain appropriate records of health office visits, injuries, medication administration, health screenings, immunizations, and other relevant medical information.
• Review student health information provided during enrollment and identify health concerns requiring follow-up or additional support.
• Maintain confidentiality of medical information and ensure health information is shared only with appropriate individuals who have a legitimate need to know.
• Ensure medical records are securely maintained in accordance with school procedures and applicable requirements.
5. Health Screening and Prevention
• Coordinate appropriate student health screening programs as determined by the school.
• Communicate screening results and appropriate recommendations parents/guardians.
• Promote healthy habits and preventive healthcare among students.
• Support age-appropriate health education and awareness initiatives.
• Provide health-related information and resources to students, parents/guardians, and staff as appropriate.
6. Infection Prevention and Communicable Disease Management
• Support the school's policies and procedures for infection prevention and control.
• Monitor patterns of illness within the school community and advise school leadership of significant health concerns.
• Provide appropriate guidance regarding communicable diseases, illness exclusion, hygiene, and prevention.
• Support the school in responding to suspected outbreaks or significant health concerns.
• Promote appropriate hygiene practices among students and staff, including hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, and general infection prevention.
• Coordinate with parents/guardians and relevant healthcare providers when necessary.
7. Emergency Preparedness
• Support the development and implementation of medical emergency procedures and protocols.
• Maintain and regularly inspect first-aid kits, emergency supplies, and medical equipment throughout the campus.
• Ensure appropriate medical supplies are available for school activities, athletics, field trips, and school-sponsored events.
• Monitor medical equipment and arrange servicing or replacement when required.
• Participate in relevant emergency drills and preparedness activities.
• Provide or coordinate first-aid and CPR training for relevant staff members.
8. Parent, Staff, and Healthcare Provider Communication
• Communicate professionally and appropriately with parents/guardians regarding student health concerns.
• Provide families with appropriate information about local healthcare resources when needed.
• Coordinate with outside healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and other professionals to support continuity of care.
• Collaborate with teachers, counselors, learning support staff, administrators, and other relevant personnel regarding student health needs.
• Advise school leadership of significant health concerns that may affect individual students, staff, school operations, or the wider school community.
9. School Health, Safety, and Wellbeing
• Work collaboratively with school leadership and staff to promote a healthy and safe school environment.
• Provide input into school policies and procedures related to health, hygiene, illness prevention, emergency preparedness, and student wellbeing.
• Provide health and safety guidance for school activities, field trips, athletics, and other school-sponsored events.
• Collaborate with the school's food service provider regarding appropriate hygiene, food safety, and allergy-awareness practices.
• Contribute to health promotion initiatives across the school community.
• Support the school in identifying and addressing environmental or operational health concerns.
10. Professional Development
• Remain current with developments and best practices in school nursing, pediatric and adolescent health, first aid, emergency response, health education, and safeguarding.
• Maintain required professional nursing registration and certifications.
• Participate in relevant professional development and training.
• Share relevant health knowledge and resources with colleagues as appropriate.
• Perform other duties related to the position as assigned by the Business Manager or school leadership.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing from an accredited institution.
• Previous experience as a School Nurse preferred.
• Current professional nursing registration/licensure and authorization to practice in Rwanda, as applicable.
• Minimum of two years of professional nursing experience, preferably including experience in pediatrics, adolescent health, community health, public health, or a school/educational setting.
• Current CPR certification.
• Demonstrated knowledge of first aid, emergency response, medication administration, infection prevention, and basic health assessment.
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural and international school environment.
• Commitment to student wellbeing, safety, inclusion, and safeguarding.