Policy: 3416
Students
Medication at School
Under normal circumstances prescribed and over-the-counter medication should be dispensed before and/or after school hours under supervision of the parent or guardian. If a student must receive prescribed or over-the-counter oral, or topical medication, eye drops, ear drops or nasal spray (“medications”) from an authorized staff member, the parent must submit a written authorization accompanied by a written requested from a licensed health professional prescribing within the scope of his or her prescriptive authority. If the medication will be administered for more than fifteen consecutive days, the health professional must also provide written, current and unexpired instructions for the administration of the medication.
The superintendent will establish procedures for:
A. Training and supervision of staff members in the administration of prescribed or nonprescribed medication to students by a physician or registered nurse;
B. Designating staff members who may administer prescribed or non-prescribed medication to students;
C. Obtaining signed and dated parental and health professional request for the dispensing of prescribed or non-prescribed medications, including instructions from health professional if the medication is to be given for more than fifteen (15) days;
D. Storing prescribed or non-prescribed medication in a locked or limited access facility;
E. Maintaining records pertaining to the administration of prescribed or non-prescribed medication; and
F. Permitting, under limited circumstances, students to carry and self-administer medications necessary to their attendance at school.
Prescribed and over-the-counter oral, topical medications, eye drops, ear drops, nasal spray, or sublingual medication may be administered by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or an authorized staff member.
No medication will be administered by injection by school staff except when a student is susceptible to a predetermined, life-endangering situation [See Policy 3420, Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response]. In such an instance, the parent will submit a written and signed permission statement. Such an authorization will be supposed by signed and dated written orders accompanied by supporting directions from the licensed health professional. A staff member will be trained prior to injecting a medication.
If the district decides to discontinue administering a student’s medication, the superintendent or designee must provide notice to the student’s parent or guardian orally and in writing prior to the discontinuance. There must be a valid reason for the discontinuance that does not compromise the health of the student or violate legal protections for the disabled.
If a school nurse is on the premises, he/she may administer a nasal spray containing a prescribed drug or controlled substance to a student. If a school nurse is not on school premises, a nasal spray containing a legend (prescribed) drug or controlled substance may be administered by: 1) a trained school employee or 2) a parent-designated adult.
A parent designated adult is a volunteer, who may be a school district employee, who receives additional training from a healthcare professional or expert in epileptic seizure care selected by the parents who provides care for the student consistent with the student’s individual health plan on file with the school.
Required Notification of EMS
After every administration of life saving medication such as: epipen, glucagon or midazolam to a student, Emergency Medical Services (911) will be summoned as soon as practicable.
Cross References:
3420 – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response
3419 – Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications
Legal References
RCW 28A.210.260 Public and private schools – Administration of medication – Conditions
RCW 28A.210.270 Public and private schools – Administration of medication – Immunity from liability – Discontinuance, procedure
Adopted 4/4/2012
Revised 2/2017, 1/2019