105 CMR, § 210.004 - Policies Regarding Delegation of Prescription Medication Administration

(A) The School Committee or Board of Trustees, consulting with the Board of Health where appropriate, may approve a proposal, developed by the school nurse and school physician, to permit the administration of prescription medications to be delegated by the school nurse to unlicensed school personnel. Such delegation may occur only if the school district registers with the Department of Public Health pursuant to the applicable provisions of 105 CMR 700.000 and complies with the requirements of 105 CMR 210.000.

(B) In accordance with the proposal of the school nurse and school physician, the School Committee or Board of Trustees may approve categories of unlicensed school personnel to whom the school nurse may delegate responsibility for prescription medication administration.

(1) Said categories of personnel may include administrative and teaching staff, licensed health personnel, health aides and secretaries.

(a) For the purposes of 105 CMR 210.000, health aide shall mean an unlicensed employee of the school district who is generally supervised by the school nurse and performs those health-related duties defined by the school nurse, the School Committee, Board of Health or Board of Trustees.

(b) For the purpose of administering emergency prescription medication to an individual child, including parenteral administration of medication pursuant to 105 CMR 210.004(B)(4), the school nurse may identify individual school personnel or additional categories. Said school personnel shall be listed on the medication administration plan developed in accordance with 105 CMR 210.005(E) and receive training in the administration of emergency medication to a specific child.

(2) An individual in an approved category may be authorized to administer prescription medication if he/she meets the following criteria:

(a) is a high school graduate or its equivalent;

(b) demonstrates sound judgment;

(c) is able to read and write English;

(d) is able to communicate with the student receiving the prescription medication or has ready access to an interpreter when needed;

(e) is able to meet the requirements of 105 CMR 210.000 and follow nursing supervision;

(f) is able to respect and protect the student's confidentiality; and

(g) has completed an approved training program pursuant to 105 CMR 210.007.

(3) A school nurse shall be on duty in the school system while prescription medications are being administered by designated unlicensed school personnel, and available by telephone should consultation be required.

(4) The administration of parenteral medications may not be delegated, with the exception of epinephrine administered in accordance with 105 CMR 210.100.

(5) Prescription medications to be administered pursuant to p.r.n. ("as needed") orders maybe administered by authorized school personnel after an assessment by or consultation with the school nurse for each dose.

(6) For each school, an updated list of unlicensed school personnel who have been trained in the administration of prescription medications shall be maintained. Upon request, a parent shall be provided with a list of school personnel authorized to administer prescription medications.

Notes

105 CMR, § 210.004