What does a school nurse or health aide do?

• - Provides health assessments and interventions for students and staff who become ill or have an injury.
• - Interprets students’ health status to parents, school personnel and coordinates with medical providers and other health resources.
• - Administer medication to students according to medication policy.
• - Screens, evaluates, and makes referrals for vision, hearing, scoliosis, and risk assessment for Type 2 diabetes, Acanthosis Nigricans.
• - Provides pediatric medical specialty procedures, such as gastrostomy feedings and catheterizations.
• - Promotes and assists in controlling infectious diseases through preventive measures, immunization programs, early detection, surveillance, reporting, and follow-up.
• - Provides health education to students, staff, and parents.
• - Serves as a resource for physical and mental health promotion, accident and injury prevention, infection control, and a safe school environment.
• - Ensures compliance with required immunizations.
• - Instructs CPR, the use of the AED, first aid, Unlicensed Diabetes Care Assistance (UDCA), administration of life-saving medications and treatments, such as Epi-pens to staff.
• - And so much more.

For Pre-K through 12

State law requires students in Texas schools to be immunized against certain vaccine-preventable diseases. Getting your child vaccinated not only protects your child’s health, but also that of the community. The immunization requirements are set by Texas law and provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DHSH).