There are many children in schools with health problems that require direct care for their special needs. School personnel, other than nurses (RNs and LPNs), may carry out some health related activities. Nationally, reference is made to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) who provide health and nursing related services. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are not licensed health care professionals. The following guidelines are to assist school personnel who must provide these services.
Description of Activities
School personnel may be trained to function in an assistive role to RNs. Health related care activities often include first aid, CPR, and assisting with self-administration of medications. Additional activities include maintaining nutrition, positioning, ambulating, grooming, and dressing. Personnel must collect, report, and document data related to their activities.
Other health related activities focus on maintaining the environment and the systems within which care is provided. These activities assist in providing a clean, efficient, and safe client care environment and typically include housekeeping, transporting, clerical, and maintaining supplies.
RNs retain accountability for monitoring the safety of these activities, evaluating care given, and following up on the outcomes of care. Personnel providing health related services in the school setting function under the supervision of RNs who are responsible for assessing client needs and determining specific tasks to be delegated.
Qualifications
- Completion of standardized training related to assigned tasks; and
- Completion of training related to the specific needs of individual students.
Employment Requirements
- Continued education to keep current in the needs and care of children in school settings;
- Demonstrated competence in carrying out health related and nursing tasks delegated by RNs; and
- Maintain continued competence.