Section 49426 Of Article 2. Employment Of Medical Personnel From California Education Code >> Division 4. >> Title 2. >> Part 27. >> Chapter 9. >> Article 2.
49426
. A school nurse is a registered nurse currently licensed
under Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the
Business and Professions Code, and who has completed the additional
educational requirements for, and possesses a current credential in,
school nursing pursuant to Section 44877.
School nurses strengthen and facilitate the educational process by
improving and protecting the health status of children and by
identification and assistance in the removal or modification of
health-related barriers to learning in individual children. The major
focus of school health services is the prevention of illness and
disability, and the early detection and correction of health
problems. The school nurse is especially prepared and uniquely
qualified in preventive health, health assessment, and referral
procedures.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the scope of
professional practice or otherwise to change the legal scope of
practice for any registered nurse or other licensed healing arts
practitioner. Rather, it is the intent of the Legislature to provide
positively for the health services, many of which may be performed in
the public schools only by physicians and school nurses. School
nurses may perform, if authorized by the local governing board, the
following services:
(a) Conduct immunization programs pursuant to Section 49403 and
assure that every pupil's immunization status is in compliance with
the law, including parental or guardian consent, and good health
practice.
(b) Assess and evaluate the health and developmental status of
pupils to identify specific physical disorders and other factors
relating to the learning process, communicate with the primary care
provider, and contribute significant information in order to modify
the pupils' educational plans.
(c) Interpret the health and developmental assessment to parents,
teachers, administrators, and other professionals directly concerned
with the pupil.
(d) Design and implement a health maintenance plan to meet the
individual health needs of the students, incorporating plans directed
by a physician.
(e) Refer the pupil and his or her parent or guardian to
appropriate community resources for necessary services.
(f) Maintain communication with parents and all involved community
practitioners and agencies to promote needed treatment and secure
reports of findings pertinent to educational planning.
(g) Interpret medical and nursing findings appropriate to the
student's individual educational plan and make recommendations to
professional personnel directly involved.
(h) Consult with, conduct in-service training to, and serve as a
resource person to teachers and administrators, and act as a
participant in implementing any section or sections of a
comprehensive health instruction curriculum for students by providing
current scientific information regarding nutrition, preventive
dentistry, mental health, genetics, prevention of communicable
diseases, self-health care, consumer education, and other areas of
health.
(i) Counsel pupils and parents by:
(1) Assisting children and youth, parents, and school personnel in
identifying and utilizing appropriate and mutually acceptable
private and community health delivery services for professional care
and remediation of defects.
(2) Counseling with parents, pupils and school staff regarding
health-related attendance problems.
(3) Helping parents, school personnel and pupils understand and
adjust to physical, mental and social limitations.
(4) Exploring with families and pupils, attitudes, information and
values which affect their health behavior.
(j) Assist parents and pupils to solve financial, transportation
and other barriers to needed health services.
The holder of a services credential with a specialization in
health for a school nurse who also completes the requirements for a
special class authorization in health in a program that is approved
by the commission is authorized to teach classes on health in a
preschool, kindergarten, grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and classes
organized primarily for adults.