HEALTH AND NURSING

The UNIS Health and Wellness Center enthusiastically welcomes new students and families. Our goal is to collaborate with families, faculty, staff, physicians and outside specialists to ensure health and well being within our community. All are important factors in students’ ability to maximize learning potential and achievement.

An important part in our ability to provide efficacious care is Magnus Health SMR (Student Medical Record), a web-based database that provides you online access to your children’s health records, as well as the ability to make updates as needed. Magnus requires less paperwork for parents to complete each year and makes more accurate information accessible to both parents and appropriate school employees.

Your child will also have the option to take this electronic file with him or her after graduation. “Magnus Health is committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of personal information. Magnus utilizes user authentication and tracking, data tracking, and military level security to ensure only authorized users have access to confidential information.” (For more information about Magnus’ privacy and security.)

Parents/guardians can access Magnus via Veracross once logged in. All required health forms are available through Magnus. A brief introduction explaining how to access Magnus is attached and is also available on the parent portal, along with a short video tutorial on the basics of getting started with Magnus.

Annual physical examinations, immunization records and all other forms are due to Magnus by August 1 for new students. Students may not attend classes, trips and/or join sports teams until these essential forms are completed. Forms for students who participate in pre-season training for athletics must be on file before participating in any pre-season training. Your cooperation and attention to completing these forms in their entirety is essential for UNIS to remain in compliance with NYC Department of Health regulations. This essential information also facilitates our school nurses’ ability to provide safe and efficacious care and support to your children throughout the school year.

Please acknowledge ALL Magnus forms. If a section in the Magnus Health record is not applicable to your child (for example, if he or she does not have allergies or seizures), please do not just skip that section; instead, mark it as “N/A.” This will avoid follow-up correspondence about missing information.

Your child’s health record is not complete until all sections have either been answered or noted as N/A. Please also note the health forms must be faxed, uploaded or mailed directly to Magnus. Once the forms are uploaded, the school nurses can then review all submissions for final approval. I am attaching some of the health forms that require physician’s signature/stamp to this letter. This will allow you to get a headstart with any necessary appointments. If your child has Diabetes or Seizures, please reach out to me directly for those action plan forms, which will need to be completed by their specialist.

If you experience difficulty with uploading, please contact Magnus Health SMR customer support at service@magnushealthportal.com or by phone (877-461-6831). If you have trouble accessing Magnus, please email the tech team at websupport@unis.org. You may also contact the nurses directly via email at schoolnurse@unis.org with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s health.

Thank you for your support and diligence in ensuring that your child’s health forms are all up-to-date. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to contact us via telephone, email or stop by our offices.

Marisa Rivera, MS, RN, FNP, CPN, Director of School Health and Nursing

Q: What are the health requirements for my child to attend UNIS?

A: UNIS follows best practice and NYC laws regarding health requirements. We require an annual update to all medical records. As per UNIS policy, “Students may not attend classes, trips and/or join sports teams until these essential forms are completed”.

Q: What health forms are required?

A: All health forms need to be completed and submitted to Magnus. This includes the annual physical, immunizations, over-the-counter medication form, vital health record and consent to treat. The action plans (asthma, allergy, diabetes, seizures, prescription medication form), if applicable need to be completed as well. If these action plans do not apply to your child, you must click “No” to satisfy those requirements.

Q: Where do I obtain these health forms?

A: The forms are available to you in your child’s Magnus account. Families can access Magnus via Veracross. Please click the Magnus Health icon to be taken directly into your child(ren)s medical records. .

Q: My child has received vaccines in other countries. What do I need to do?

A: Please submit all official documentation of vaccinations your child has received. Please note these must be translated into English to be valid in NYS. You will then work with the Director of Nursing to review your child’s immunizations and make a plan for catching up as per the NYS approved ACIP schedule, if required.

Q: Do you accept forms completed by physicians in other countries?

A: Yes. However the forms must be in English or translated into English and be dated within the year. The forms must have the student’s name, date of birth, height, weight, blood pressure, and recommendations for diet and activity. The form must have the physician signature and/or stamp. If the form has a signature and no stamp, it must have a license number.

Q: If my physician is abroad, who can complete these forms?

A: We encourage obtaining a physician here in NY who can oversee your child’s health care. If this is not practical for your family, there are many urgent care centers that will perform physical examinations and complete health forms. Please reach out to them individually to confirm they provide this service and inquire about health insurance and payment information.

Q: We just moved to NY and need a local pediatrician, what do you suggest?

A: There are a number of wonderful pediatricians located throughout the five boroughs. We cannot recommend any particular physician, as we cannot attest to their qualifications or skills. However, we can assist you in locating physicians in your area and indicate popular practices utilized by many UNIS families.

Q: Does UNIS require the COVID19 vaccine?

A: Yes, full vaccination (2 doses) is required for all students, faculty and staff in the UNIS community.

Q: Can my child take their own medications in school?

A: No, UNIS policy states that all medications must be administered by the school nurses unless otherwise documented on the medication forms. Controlled substances are the exception and are never allowed to be carried or administered by students. They must be kept in the health office.

Q: My child was prescribed a prescription medication due to an illness and needs a temporary course of medication during the school day. What do I need?

A: The physician must complete the prescription medication form. They must indicate the name of the medication, preparation, dose, route and time. They must also indicate the skill level of the student.

Q: My child takes prescription medications daily. What form do I need to complete?

A: The physician must complete the prescription medication form. They must indicate the name of the medication, preparation, dose, route and time. They must also indicate the skill level of the student.

Q: My child takes an over-the-counter medication not on the form, what do I need?

A: You will need to fill out a prescription medication form with that medication listed.

Q: Who do I contact for issues pertaining to Magnus?

A: If you experience difficulty with uploading, please contact Magnus Health SMR customer support at service@magnushealthportal.com or by phone (877-461-6831).

Q: Who do I contact for issues with the parent portal?

A: If you have trouble accessing the parent portal or you forgot your password, please email the tech team at websupport@unis.org.

Q: Who do I contact for questions or concerns about my child’s health?

A: You may also contact the Director of Nursing at mrivera@unis.org or email at schoolnurse@unis.org with any questions or concerns regarding your child’s health.