Medication Policies and Procedures

for

Cullman County Schools

1. All medications (prescription and over-the-counter) must be brought to school by an adult (Not necessarily the parent).  Medications should not be transported on a school bus (with the exception of the handicap buses) or brought in by a student.  For long-term medications, parents should bring at least a month’s supply if possible, but may bring more as long as the medication will be given before the expiration date on the bottle.

2. All prescription medications will be received in the original bottle specific to that medication, child, and circumstances.  All OTC (Over the counter) medications will be received in the original bottle with the label clearly visible and the child’s name written in ink on the bottle or label but not obscuring any written information on the label.

3. No medications will be bought or received for the general student population.  All medication must be provided by the parent specifically for his/her own children.

4. All medications should be counted by the nurse and the person brining it in.  Then both parties should sign the appropriate form (See School Health services Manual).

5. No medications will be given without written parental consent.  Verbal consent will not be accepted.  Parents should specify dosages, times, and circumstances to be given.  However, if any of the above is deemed inappropriate, the nurse may make adjustments based on nursing judgment.  (For example, the parent specifies too high a dosage for that child’s weight).  Parent’s directions must be specific as to symptoms. (If they bring Advil for menstrual pain, it can only be given for menstrual pain, not for headaches).  The nurse or medication assistant should check the permission for wording.

6. The school nurse will give all medications in the schools who employ a nurse with the exception of epipen, which can be administered by a non-licensed person who has received epipen training by the school nurse.  Schools who do not employ a nurse should meet with the schools nurses at the Central Office to determine which employees will be trained to administer medications in that school.  One person should be the designated medication administration assistant with 2 or 3 alternates.  These designates must receive training by the school nurses before giving any medication.  The school nurses will be required by the state department of education to monitor, re-evaluate, and report to the state department periodically.

7. Medication should be picked up by the parent at the end of the school year or if medication is discontinued.  The nurse or medication assistant should notify the parent of the presence of the medication and give a specified length of time for them to pick it up.  If not picked up by the specified time, the medication should be destroyed with documentation by 2 witnesses.