1. What if my child has a health condition?
In order to provide the best care possible, it is important to inform the school of your child’s health conditions. Depending on the health condition, PCA may request completion of a health care plan by your child’s healthcare provider. It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to inform the school and provide medications to the school nurse. You can find a list of the health forms under the Forms tab. Keeping the school informed and up to date helps ensure the safety and well-being of your child while at school.
2. Does PCA provide medications to students?
No, PCA does not provide medications to students. Medications must be brought to the school health office by a parent/guardian with a completed Request for Administration of Medication form. If necessary, an additional healthcare plan may also be required.
3. What if my child requires medication during the school day?
Medications should be administered at home whenever possible. However, if the medication is required to be administered during school hours, the parent or guardian would need to bring the medication to the health office along with a completed Request for Administration of Medication form. This ensures that the school is aware of the medication and can administer it safely and according to the healthcare provider’s order. Once everything is in order, the medication dose will be scheduled for your child during their school day as prescribed. This process helps maintain students’ health and safety while at school.
4. What is my child may need medication on an as-needed basis during the school day?
A parent or guardian can bring the medication to the school clinic along with the Request for Administration of Medication form. This ensures that the school is aware of the medication and authorizes its administration as necessary.
5. Can my child just carry their own medication (either over the counter or prescription) and self-administer? (*Please see question #6 for an exception for emergency medications)
No, all medication must be brought to the school clinic by the parent of guardian and a Request for Administration of Medication form must be completed. This policy is in place for the health and safety of all students. By centralizing medication administration through the school health office and requiring parental involvement, the school can better monitor and manage the administration of medication to ensure they are administered safely and appropriately.
6. My child has a health condition that requires emergency medication. Are they allowed to carry their medication and/or self-administer if needed?
Yes, if your child has a health condition that requires emergency medication, they are allowed to carry and/or self-administer with appropriate documentation. The documentation required includes the appropriate healthcare plan, Request for Administration of Medication form, and an Authorization for student to Self-Carry medication. Please note an antihistamine is not classified as an emergency medication and should be stored in the health office. It is important to note that self-carrying medication does not imply a student’s ability to self-administer during an emergency situation. Instead, with the required documentation in place, proper communication, and training of school employees, the student can be assisted with the administration of their emergency medication as needed. This ensures that students can receive timely and appropriate care in the event of an emergency while at school.
7. What if my child has a change in medication, medication dosage or instruction for use?
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to inform the school nurse promptly of any medication changes to ensure your child receives proper care at school. If there is a change in medication, medication dosage or instruction for use, then an updated Request for Administration of Medication form will be required. Additionally, the prescription container label must match the updated medication form to avoid any discrepancies or errors in administration. Keeping the school nurse informed of any medication changes help to ensure the safety and well-being of your child at school.
8. What happens if my child has a medical emergency at school?
PCA priority is to provide the immediate care needed for your student, which may include calling Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for assistance. The school will notify the parent/guardian as soon as possible. PCA is equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED’s) and limited emergency medications to respond promptly and effectively to medical emergencies that may arise, prioritizing the health and safety of all students, staff, and visitors.
9. My child is going on a field trip and requires medications (or needs to have emergency medication available), what should I do?
Communicate with the school nurse to ensure proper documentation is in place arrange for medication to be brought to the health office (if medication is not already in place in the health office). Medications must be received by the school nurse one week prior to the scheduled field trip as this ensures proper communication and instruction for administration while on the field trip. Students are only authorized to carry emergency medications with proper documentation.
10. When should I expect to provide updated immunization records for my child?
Once a student immunization form is complete for enrollment, no further updates are required By North Carolina State Law until the student enters the seventh grade (TDAP and Meningitis and again when entering the twelfth grade (second Meningitis).