NWESD Policy Manual & Administrative Procedures

3416 – Student Medications

General Statement

Under normal circumstances, all student medications, both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, should be administered before and/or after program hours under supervision of the parent/guardian.

When it is necessary for a student referred by a member district to the NWESD 189 for cooperative program placement to receive prescription or OTC oral, topical medication, eye drops, ear drops, or nasal spray at a program or at program-sponsored events, the parent/guardian must submit a written parental request and a written authorization form from a licensed healthcare practitioner (LHP) prescribing within the scope of his/her prescriptive authority. If the medication will be administered for more than fifteen (15) consecutive days, the LHP must also provide written, current, and unexpired instructions for the administration of the medication.

The Special Programs Director shall establish procedures for required and proper:

1. Designating staff members who may administer medication to students.
2. Training, delegation, and supervision of staff members in the administration of oral medication to students by a registered nurse (RN), including oral medication, topical medication, eye drops, ear drops, and/or nasal spray.
3. Obtaining signed and dated parent/guardian and LHP request and authorization for the administration of medications (Form 3416-F1); including instructions from the LHP if the medication is to be dispensed more than fifteen (15) days. All prescription and non-prescription medication must be in the original container legibly labeled with the name of the student, the prescribing LHP, and dosage/administration instructions.
4. Transporting medications to and from the program.
5. Storing medication in a locked or limited access area.
6. Labeling medication.
7. Administering of medication, including identification of student and medication.
8. Documenting administration of medication, including errors, reactions, or side effects.
9. Disposing of medications.
10. Maintaining records pertaining to the administration of medication.
11. Maintaining student confidentiality.
12. Permitting, as appropriate, possession and self-administration medications necessary for student program attendance.
13. Permitting possession and self-administration of over-the-counter topical sunscreen products. (See Sunscreen Section below.)
14. Reviewing and evaluating of medication practices and documentation.

NWESD 189 Policy and Procedure 3419, Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication, and NWESD 189 Policy and Procedure 3420, Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response, govern the use of injectable medication for the treatment of anaphylaxis.

Except for limited situations, no program staff other than a RN or licensed practical nurse (LPN) may administer suppositories, rectal gels, or injections (except for emergency injections for students with anaphylaxis, as stated in NWESD 189 Policy and Procedure 3419, Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medication, and NWESD 189 Policy and Procedure 3420, Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response). In some situations, a parent designated adult (PDA) may administer certain injections.

If the NWESD 189 program decides to discontinue administering a student’s medication, the Special Programs Director designee must provide notice to the student’s parent/guardian orally and in writing prior to the discontinuance. There shall be a valid reason for the discontinuance that does not compromise the health of the student or violate legal protections for the disabled.

Sunscreen

Over-the-counter topical sunscreen products may be possessed and used by students, parent/guardians, and program staff without a written prescription or note from a licensed health care provider if the following conditions are met:

1. The product is regulated by the US Food and Drug administration as an over-the-counter sunscreen product; and
2. If possessed by a student, the product is provided to the student by a parent/guardian.

Medical Marijuana

Washington State law (RCW 69.51A.060) permits the use of medical marijuana, however, federal law (Title IV-Part A—Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities and the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) (21 U.S.C. § 811) prohibits the possession and use of marijuana on the premises of recipients of federal funds including educational institutions. Therefore, there will be no accommodation of any marijuana use on any program grounds, bus or at any other program related activities.

First Reading: 02/26/92 (as 6430)

Second Reading: 03/25/92 (as 6430)
Revised: 04/25/01 (recodified 3416)
Revised: 10/24/12
Revised: 03/26/14
Revised: 08/16/17
Revised: 09/27/18
Revised: 08/28/19

Reference:

RCW 28A.210.260
RCW 28A.210.270
RCW 28A.310.180

Cross Reference:

Policy 3419
Policy 3420

Date Revised: 8/28/19