Students may be required to take medication during the school day. Medication shall be administered only by the school nurse or a qualified designee. A qualified designee is a person who has been trained under the State Department of Health guidelines. Training and continued supervision shall be documented and kept on file at school.
Some students may need prescription and nonprescription medication to participate in their educational program. These students shall receive medication concomitant with their educational program.
When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan shall be developed by the licensed health personnel with the student and the student’s parent. Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medications may self-administer their medication as long as all other relevant portions of this policy have been complied with by the student and the student’s parent or guardian. A written statement by the student’s parent/guardian shall be on file requesting co-administration of medication, when competence has been demonstrated.
Students may be required to take medication during the school day. Medication is administered by the school nurse, or in the nurse’s absence, by a person who has successfully completed an administration of medication course reviewed by the Board of Pharmacy Examiners. The course is conducted by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist. A record of course completion will be maintained by the school District. Students who have demonstrated competence in administering their own medication may self-administer their medication as long as all other relevant portions of this policy have been complied with by the student and the student’s parent or guardian.
Medication will not be administered without written authorization that is signed and dated from the parent and the medication must be in the original container which is labeled by the pharmacy or the manufacturer with the name of the child, name of the medication, the time of the day which it is to be given, the dosage, and the duration. Written authorization will also be secured when the parent requests student co-administration of medication when competency is demonstrated. When administration of the medication requires ongoing professional health judgment, an individual health plan will be developed by the licensed health personnel with the student and the student’s parents. A written record of the administration of medication procedure must be kept for each child receiving medication including the date; student’s name; prescriber or person authorizing the administration; the medication and its dosage; the name, signature, and title of the person administering the medication; and the time and method of administration and any unusual circumstances, actions or omissions. Medication shall be stored in a secured area unless an alternate provision is documented. Emergency protocols for medication-related reactions shall be posted. Medication information shall be kept confidential.
The school nurse, or in the nurse’s absence, the person who has successfully completed an administration of medication course reviewed by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy Examiners will have access to the medication which will be kept in a secured area. Students may carry medication only with the approval of the parents and building principal of the student’s attendance center. Emergency protocol for medication-related reactions will be in place.
The superintendent is responsible, in conjunction with the school nurse, for developing rules and regulations governing the administration of medication, prescription and nonprescription, including emergency protocols, to students and for ensuring persons administering medication have taken the prescribed course and periodically review the prescribed course. Annually, each student is provided with the requirements for administration of medication at school.
531.1 Administration of Medication to Student Regulations
No over-the-counter medication shall be administered at school, unless the school has the parent/guardian’s written permission.
Prescription medication will be dispersed to students during a school day only if the following requirements are met:
- Medication must be in the original container, from the pharmacy with the directions clearly stated. This serves two purposes: signifies permission from the doctor and includes directions from the pharmacist. Pharmacists will supply another labeled container for school upon request when the prescription is filled. NO BAGGIES OR ENVELOPES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT SCHOOL.
2. Parents/guardians must give written authorization for the administration of the medication.
Students are to bring all medications to the school office immediately upon their arrival at school. Students are not to carry over-the-counter medications with them during the school day unless approved by the school nurse. Students are not to carry prescription medication with them during the school day unless ordered by the physician and cleared by the school nurse.
Medication on school premises shall be kept in a locked container in a limited access storage space. Only appropriate personnel shall have access to the locked container. Each school or facility shall designate in writing the specific locked and limited access space within each building to store pupil medication. More specifically, the following requirements shall be followed:
- In each building in which a full-time registered nurse is assigned, access to medication locked in a designated space shall be under the authority of the nurse.
- In each building in which a less than full-time registered nurse is assigned, access to the medication shall be under the authority of the principal.
Emergency protocols for medication-related reactions shall be posted.
A written medication administration record shall be on file, including:
- date;
- student’s name;
- prescriber or person authorizing administration;
- medication;
- medication dosage;
- administration time;
- administration method;
- signature and title of the person administering medication; and
- any unusual circumstances, actions, or omissions.
Medication information shall be confidential information and shall be available to school personnel with parental authorization.
The superintendent/designee shall be responsible, in conjunction with the school nurse, to develop rules and regulations governing the administration of medication, prescription and non-prescription, to students. Students and parents/guardians shall be provided with the requirements for medication procedures by the school annually.