NJ Private School Med. Admin.

[linda1959]

Hello All,

I know all the state rules for med. administration for schools in NJ. I am wondering if anyone does a "variation."

I work in a Private, For-Profit School. I am having a terrible time getting subs, and I have a lot of daily meds. Today I took a scheduled day off (rarely) and the sub called out, so no nurse.

I need a plan for med administration for my absences. I am considering looking into a Training Course that is used for adult special needs worker for 1-2 staff members. I would then sign-off that I have taught and supervised the staff members giving specific students meds in my presence. We would then get parental and/or MD permission for those staff members to give meds in the emergency absence of a nurse.

I would possible put together a box of "1 dose" medications in labeled envelopes, so the designated staff member wouldn't even have to measure out/open bottles.

Has anyone done anything similar or have any thoughts on this? Again, I know the "rules", but these kids cannot go without meds, and many of the parents do not have the ability to come in and give it themselves in the absence of a nurse.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

I'm not in NJ, but I am at a private for-profit school so I understand the being all on your own part. I have trained two staff members on medication administration, and in the rare instance that neither I nor a sub nurse are here, those staff members can give out medication.

Our legal blurb on the bottom of our medication permission form is:

"Parental Authorization: I acknowledge that I am primarily responsible for administering medication to my child. In the event that I am unable to do so, or in the event of an emergency, I hereby authorize (school) and its employees to administer lawfully prescribed medication to my child. I acknowledge that it may be necessary for the administration of medications to my child to be performed by an individual other than a school nurse, and specfically consent to such practices. I further acknowledge and agree that when the lawfully prescribed medication is administered, I waive any claims I might have against (school) and its employees arising out of the administration of said medication."

[Eleven011]

I have 2 staff members that work as Para's that are trained med aides. They have take a course created by my states BON, so are legally able to give medications under the direction of an RN. I use them on occasions just like you said. Usually its due to me having to leave unexpectedly and not having a sub available. Perhaps you state has such a program and you can get staff trained that way?

[linda1959]

12 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:

I'm not in NJ, but I am at a private for-profit school so I understand the being all on your own part. I have trained two staff members on medication administration, and in the rare instance that neither I nor a sub nurse are here, those staff members can give out medication.

Our legal blurb on the bottom of our medication permission form is:

"Parental Authorization: I acknowledge that I am primarily responsible for administering medication to my child. In the event that I am unable to do so, or in the event of an emergency, I hereby authorize (school) and its employees to administer lawfully prescribed medication to my child. I acknowledge that it may be necessary for the administration of medications to my child to be performed by an individual other than a school nurse, and specfically consent to such practices. I further acknowledge and agree that when the lawfully prescribed medication is administered, I waive any claims I might have against (school) and its employees arising out of the administration of said medication."

Biscuit - can I ask what your training of the other staff people consists of? Is it written out as an official teaching plan, such as we do for EpiPen Training?

and thanks for sharing your disclaimer!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

i believe the state is very specific that a nurse or delegate giving approved medications (epi, glucagon and the newest to the team, naloxone) may administer meds in NJ. I believe that in a residential setting they can get around the rule and have medication certified people admin, but i don't think those rules apply even for private schools. It's probably a good idea to bring this up to your principal / head of the school to reach out to the legal team if they are that hard pressed for nursing coverage.

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

39 minutes ago, linda1959 said:

Biscuit - can I ask what your training of the other staff people consists of? Is it written out as an official teaching plan, such as we do for EpiPen Training?

and thanks for sharing your disclaimer!

I follow the Medication Administration Guidelines from the IL Department of Health and IL School Board of Education, so it's basically going over our specific documentation, the 6 rights of medication, and medication storage along with our official clinic policy for medication administration set by our parent company and our administration. I have the trained employees demonstrate back, and I keep written guidelines in my office in the binder with medication documentation.

[jess11RN]

I'd be leary of making the one dose envelopes. When I was going through my certification, my instructor stressed that by doing this, you are acting as a pharmacist when you repackage and relabel medications.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

5 hours ago, jess11RN said:

I'd be leary of making the one dose envelopes. When I was going through my certification, my instructor stressed that by doing this, you are acting as a pharmacist when you repackage and relabel medications.

I'm not a school nurse, but jess is right. Repackaging/labeling would be dispensing and outside of the scope of an RN.

Edited to add: I would check to see if your state has any exceptions for allowing an RN to dispense.