Board of Education
Departments
Staff Resources
Students & Families
For Families
For Students
Grade Level: Pre-school Program to Grade 8
Program Overview:
The primary objective of school health services is to facilitate the educational process by improving and protecting the total health status of children and staff.
Program Objectives:
The goals of School Health Services are:
To maintain School Health Services in accordance with school health law and district policies
To provide care for sick or injured students and staff per approved procedures
To administer medications as prescribed by student's health care provider in accordance with state law, school policy and the Nurse Practice Act.
To promote self-management of students with serious health concerns
To provide training for staff who are delegated for the emergency administration of epinephrine and other nursing tasks according to state mandates
To instruct staff regarding emergency medical procedures as per district policy
To secure and interpret student medical records
To maintain current individual student health data
To provide for individual health screenings as mandated by state law and recommended by Board of Education policy
To monitor implementation of required immunization of students
To collaborate in the process of identifying students with special needs
To collaborate with parents/guardians, professional staff, community agencies and other health care providers regarding students with specific health care needs
To maintain individual school health care plans for students with special health concerns
To promote maintenance of a healthful physical environment
To promote healthy life practices
To assist with Quality Assurance Annual Review to determine school health services effectiveness
To implement formulation of a School Health Services Plan to determine overall school health services needs
To submit health service reports as required by law
Implementation of Program Services
Maintaining School Health Services
Awareness of current School Health Law through attendance at State and Local School Nurse Association meetings and sponsored workshops
Continue education through Health-related workshops and NJEA sponsored educational opportunities
Make recommendations for deliverance of School Health Services based on changes in School Health Law
Assist in development of district policies based on changes in School Health Law
Maintain documentation of continuing education hours to meet state standards
Care for Sick or Injured Students and Staff
Review standing orders yearly and provide updates in collaboration with school physician
Administer care as per state mandates, approved standing orders, the district procedure manual, the Nurse Practice Act, and PEOSHA regulations
Document practices accordingly
Administration of Medications
Obtain health care provider order for administration of medication and signed parental permission
Store medication in a secure, locked cabinet unless otherwise prescribed
Follow protocol for medication administration and monitor for effects and/or adverse reactions
Document administration of medication
Promote Self Management of Students with Serious Health Concerns
Supervise and instruct the student in the administration of medication
Provide age appropriate guidance and information for health related problem solving
Periodically assess student's level of knowledge and modify instruction as needed
Delegation of Emergency Administration of Epinephrine and Nursing Tasks
Obtain healthcare provider order for administration of medication and signed parental permission
Obtain appropriate health information from healthcare provider to delegate nursing tasks
In consultation with parent/guardian, develop individual health care plan
If necessary, train delegate according to state mandates
Instruction of Staff for Emergency Medical Procedures
Conduct staff inservices regarding emergency medical procedures and universal precautions
Distribute approved emergency information
Obtain documentation of attendees
Secure and Interpret Student Medical Records
Obtain previous school health card or initiate new health record for each student
Secure individual student health records in a locked file in the health office with access being granted only to authorized personnel in accordance with state mandates
Assess the status of obtained records for compliance with state mandates and review for pertinent medical information
Maintain Current Individual Student Health Data
Record immunization dates, tuberculosis testing, results of screenings, physicals, referrals, and follow-ups
Maintain individual student health logs of health office visits, record dispensation of medication and parent/guardian contacts
Obtain and update medical health history information as provided
Screening Procedures for All Students
Provide for individual health screenings, which include vision, hearing, scoliosis, height, weight, blood pressure, and pulse as mandated by state law and board policy recommendation.
Oversee compliance of physical examinations for school entry and athletic participation as required by state law and district policy
Recommend a referral to personal care physician or community agency as needed
Monitoring Required Immunizations
Determine compliance of student's immunizations with state law
Notify parent/guardian of immunizations needed
Provide parents with information about community resources for obtaining immunizations if needed
Recommend to school principal the exclusion of students who have not submitted acceptable evidence of required immunizations
Identifying Students With Special Needs
Assess health status of students
Collaborate with Child Study Team members, Multidisciplinary Assistance Team, and other school professionals in determining health needs of specific students
Assist in formulating 504 Accommodation Plan as appropriate for students with specific health issues
Participate in district and building crisis management teams
Develop recommendations for students with health related issues
Collaboration with Parents/Guardians, Professional Staff, Community Agencies and Other Health Care Providers
Summarize data obtained through nursing assessment and other sources of input
Integrate various technologies to communicate and organize health related information
Gather health information related to child's health needs and provide referral information to parents/guardians as needed
Provide notification and response to Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders as mandated by state laws and in accordance with the Nurse Practice Act
Follow up on consultations and referrals
Provide information and resources for community services
Determine and delegate roles, as appropriate, to team members after reviewing gathered health information
Formulate and Maintain Individual Health Care Plans for Students with Special Health Concerns
Gather health information and evaluate student's health problems and needs
Develop a health care plan in conjunction with the parents/guardian, student and student's health care provider, incorporating all aspects of the school day
Modify plan as warranted by student's changing health needs
Secure signed release of confidential information for all sources of significant medical information
Inform staff members of the student medical concerns and provide general training as needed to staff members who will have daily contact with student
Maintenance of Healthful Physical Environment
Identify concerns regarding environmental health and safety
Refer concerns to appropriate district personnel
Document concerns and follow up accordingly
Promotion of Healthy Life Practices
Act as resource for students, staff, and community to promote wellness
Provide health-related information through daily interaction, inservices, and distribution of approved written material as applicable
Quality Assurance Annual Review
Evaluate previous year's school health services delivery to determine effectiveness
Develop School Health Services Plan for current school year
Formulation of School Health Services Plan
Develop a School Health Services Plan, in collaboration with the school physician, from information gathered district-wide to identify specific health needs of the school population
Communicate Student Health Services Plan information to the Chief School Administrator for purposes of assigning nursing personnel and providing student health services
Health Service Reports
Submit health service reports in a timely manner as required by law
Maintain copies of all submitted reports with annual records
Submit records for auditing as mandated
Resources
N.J.A.C. 6A: 16 -2.1 Programs to Support Student Development
School Health Services Guidelines, NJ Dept. of Education, Oct. 2001
Statutes and Regulations, Board of Nursing, NJ Dept of Law and Public Safety, June 1995
Galloway Township Public Schools Procedure Manual, 2000
Galloway Township Public School Nursing Protocols Manual, 2001
PEOSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington D.C.