Medication Administration

for School Personnel

Healthy Kids Learn Better

Components
Many kids require medications while at
school, so that they can be active
participants in the classroom
“kids bring their whole life to school
with them……and it doesn’t fit in a
locker.”
The Law

Administrative rules were adopted by

Oregon Department of education in
1997, and amended by the legislature
in 2001.
Only non-injectable medications are
covered (there are other rules for
injectable medications)
Things to Remember

Administrator must select regular

and back up staff to be trained
Only trained staff can administer
medication
Training program must be approved
by Oregon Department of education
Your Training

Designated school personnel are

REQUIRED to receive appropriate
training approved by the Department
of Education for the administration
of prescription and non prescription
medication.
Your Training (cont.)

School districts may not require you

to administer medications to students
UNTIL you have received training.
Three Med Classifications

Non-prescription medication

Student self-administered
medications

Prescription medications
Non-prescription Medications

You must have Written Instructions

from the student’s Parent/Guardian
in order to give non-prescription
medications
Non-prescription Medication

Must have a signed parent/guardian

permission form which includes:
Students name
Medication
Medication dosage, frequency, and route
Must be in the ORIGINAL
CONTAINER
Non-prescription Medications

May only be allowed if:

The medication is necessary for the
child to remain in school
Excludes:
Dietary Supplements
Food Supplements
Must be:
Commercially prepared and non-alcohol
Student Self Administration

School districts MUST adopt policies

and procedures that govern student
self administration
In ORDER FOR A CHILD TO DO SO:
Signatures are needed:
Parent/Guardian
Building Administrator
Student
Doctor (if prescription)
Self Administration

Requires no assistance
Requires no documentation that the
medication was taken
Each district develops own policy to
address self medication
Prescription Medications

ONLY CERTAIN PEOPLE CAN

WRITE a PRESCRIPTION:
Doctor of Medicine or osteopathy
Nurse Practitioner
Dentist
Optometrist
Naturopathic physician
Prescription Medications….

Must be prepared and labeled by a

pharmacist
Only administer if required during
school hours
Must have a signed permission and
instruction from parent
Separate training is needed for any
injectable medications
A Little More on Prescriptions

Written Instruction from a physician

(prescription label will meet this
requirement)
Original Pharmacy container
Verbal doctors orders can only be
taken by a licensed nurse
Giving Medications: Five Rights

Right Student
Right Medication
Right Dose
Right Time
Right Route
Handling Medications

Get water from a clean source

Do not use water from the sink where
first aid is provided (OR-OSHA
1910.1030 (2) ix & x)
Handling Medications

Always wash your hands!!!!!!

Avoid Touching the medications
Wear gloves if placing medication in
the students mouth
If tablets require cutting, the parent
needs to cut them at home prior to
sending them to school
Some Considerations

If the medication needs to be

crushed, the parent is responsible for
sending a pill crusher (to only be used
for that student)
Calibrated spoon/cup for liquid
medications
 Routes of Medications
-Oral-
Mouth
Tablets
Capsules
Syrups, elixirs and suspensions
 Route of Medication
Topical
Topical (on the outside of the body)
Skin
Eyes
Ears
Nose
 Routes of Medication
Inhaled
Inhalation
Nose
Mouth
Safe Storage and Handling

Store all medication in the original

Container
Store in a clean, locked cabinet
File Cabinet
Lock box
Safe
Safe Storage and Handling

Medication should be brought to

school and returned home by a parent
DO NOT ALLOW STUDENTS to
carry medications to and from home
Certain medications require counting
on arrival at school
Should be counted by parent and trained
school staff.
Safe Handling……

Changes in medication instructions

should always be made in writing from
the parent/guardian
Do not act on Verbal requests
Refrigeration may be needed for
some medications
The fridge should be kept between 36-
46 degree F
Disposing of Medications

Follow district policy for disposal of

unused or expired medications
Use the sink or toilet
Regulated waste
I prefer the toilet in the staff
bathroom
Student Medication Record

One sheet to sign in the supply and

sign out
One sheet to show what was
administered by whom and when
Confidentiality

Student medication files are

confidential
Only parent/guardian and authorized
school staff should have access
Parent/guardian authorization is
required for release of information
 Retaining Medication
Administration Records
At the end of the year
If child does not have an IEP place them
in the student record
If there is an IEP, file it there
Handling the Unexpected

Student does not come at scheduled

Med Time
Send for them
Document on the medication record
Notify the parents via phone and in
writing (forms are on the internet)
Student Refuses Medication

Encourage the child to take the

medication
Document on the medication record
Notify the parent/guardian in writing
Student Vomits or Spits Out
Medication
Document
Notify
Check for symptoms of illness
Take temperature
Medication Errors

Report the medication error

immediately
Parent/guardian
Physician
Nurse
Building administrator
What Are Medications Errors

Dose Omitted
Medication given to wrong student
Inaccurate dose or wrong medication
Wrong time
Incorrect route
Side Effects

All medications have a potential for

side effects
If in doubt check medication fact
sheets, call the pharmacy, or contact
the school nurse
Antibiotics-may cause a rash
Analgesics-may cause an upset stomach
Side Effects

Report promptly any unusual

Symptoms
Behaviors
To the school nurse and parent
Field Trips and Off Campus
Activities
During the time off campus
medications will need to be given out
A Trained staff person should
accompany this child during the field
trip
Medication must be in the original
container
 Field Trip & Off Campus
Activities
Medication should be signed out and
signed back in by the designated
staff member
The designated staff member should
document administration on return
Dealing with Concerned Parents

Validate parents concerns and

emotions by listening and identifying
a way to address their specific
concern
Share written information
Include school nurse/administrator
Set boundaries and ensure your own
safety
Cooperative School Environment

Success requires

TEAM EFFORT
Cooperative School Environment

Include the teacher in plans, send them a

notice so that they are aware that
medications are being administered
Share information on medication times at
the staff meetings
Talk with school staff to help problem
solve missed medication times
Thoughts

School staff are protected by law if

careful observation of the regulations
are observed
Any Questions