Medication

Section Navigation
Skip Section Navigation

MANAGEMENT OF MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

  1. Medications should be taken at home whenever possible so that the student does not lose valuable classroom time.
  2. If it is absolutely necessary for the student to take medication at school, the Authorization for Medication Administration form (Attachment I) must be received for each medication and must be submitted to the health office staff prior to the medication being given at school. The appropriate Health Treatment Plan (HTP) for asthma, allergy, seizure, and diabetes medications must be completed. Medications will not be accepted without receipt of the appropriate form.
  3. The health office staff are Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP). The UAPs must be Medication and/or Insulin/Glucagon trained. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid training for all UAP's is strongly recommended. The health office staff and all persons trained in Medication Administration are required to attend the Prince William County Public Schools three-hour Medication Administration and/or the four-hour Insulin/Glucagon class every three years with an annual refresher by the school nurse. CPR and First Aid recertification should be in accordance with the certifying organization. There will be three staff members designated by the building principal (other than the school nurse) in each building trained to administer medication. UAPs employed for summer school must attend a Medication Administration class.
  4. The health office staff must have written instructions from the health care provider to administer prescription medications. The Authorization for Medication Administration form is preferred, but the healthcare provider may use office stationary or a prescription pad with the following information:
    1. Student's name and date of birth;
    2. Date of order;
    3. Duration of medication order and effective dates;
    4. Reason for medication or diagnosis;
    5. Name of medication;
    6. Exact dosage to be taken in school;
    7. Time to take medication and frequency or exact time interval dosage is to be administered;
    8. If medication is given on an as-need basis, specify the exact conditions or symptoms when medication is to be taken and the time at which it may be given again (repeat as necessary is unacceptable);
    9. Statement that the student may self-carry and self-administer; and
    10. Health care provider's signature and date.
  5. Medications must be brought to the health office and signed by a parent/guardian. Students with diabetes, asthma, or life-threatening allergies may carry life-saving medications (insulin, Glucagon, inhaler, Epinephrine Auto-Injectors) throughout the school day in accordance with their approved HTP or medical authorization. Otherwise, students are not permitted to transport medications to and from school or carry any medication while in school
  6. Medication Containers
    1. Prescription medications - Medications (including physician/pharmacy samples) must be in the original pharmacy bottle with proper label containing:
      1. Student's name;
      2. Name of medication;
      3. Time to be given;
      4. Dose/amount to be given; and
      5. Name of health care provider.
    2. Non-prescription medications (over-the-counter) must be in the original sealed package with the name of the medicine, instructions, and must not have exceeded the expiration date. Non-prescription medication will only be administered according to directions on the label. If a higher/lower dosage is required, the Authorization for Medication Administration form must be signed by the health care provider.
    3. The school will not be responsible for lost or spilled medications.
  7. Prescription information on the bottle label must match the health care provider information on the Authorization for Medication Administration form. The pharmacy can provide a properly labeled bottle for school.
  8. Staff will not cut or break pills. Parents/guardians should cut/break pills or request the pharmacy to cut pills into the correct dose.
  9. The first dose of any new medication or change in dose must be given at home.
  10. Medications will be given no more than 30 minutes before or after the prescribed time.
  11. Medication kept at school will be stored in a locked area of the health office accessible only to authorized school personnel during school hours.
  12. The student is to go to the health office or to a pre-determined location, at the prescribed time to receive medication. Parents/guardians should develop a plan with the student to ensure that the student goes to the health office at the appropriate time.
  13. Written permission is required from the parent/guardian for the administration of medication to a student during school hours by persons other than the parent/guardian.
  14. A new Authorization for Medication Administration form is required at the start of each school year, and each time there is a change in the dosage or time at which a medication is to be taken.
  15. Parents/guardians should not bring in more than a 60-day supply of prescription medicine at a time.
  16. A Medication Incident Report must be completed whenever there has been any incident or error resulting in the incorrect administration of medication and/or medication given by a staff member not trained in the administration of medication. Possible errors in the administration of medication would include an incorrect dosage, route or time of administration, or giving medication to the wrong student. A completed Medication Incident Report should be sent to the Supervisor of School Health Services.
  17. Exceptions to these regulations may be necessary depending on individual circumstances. Exceptions may only be authorized by the principal, Supervisor of School Health Services, or school nurse, in collaboration with the health care provider and/or parent/guardian.
  18. Students may carry and appropriately use non-medicated products. For the comfort and safety of others, spray or aerosol products are not to be used. Any herbal or natural alternative medications (botanicals, oils, dietary or nutritional supplements, homeopathic medicine, phytomedicinals, vitamins, and minerals) require an Authorization for Medication Administration form signed by the health care provider and parent/guardian.
  19. Field trips - Current approved HTPs are acceptable for all field trips.
    1. Appropriate school staff (i.e., principal or designee) shall notify the school nurse at least 10 days prior to the field trip so medication can be prepared.
    2. The Medication Permission Form for Extended Day/Overnight Field Trips (Attachment II) must be completed and brought to the school nurse at least five school days before the field trip. Medications brought after this time will not be accepted. Extended day field trips are trips returning to school after the dismissal bell.



Students may not carry unauthorized substances, including over-the-counter analgesics.

It is the intent of the Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) to assist parents/guardians when they are unable to come to school to administer medication by giving needed medication to the student so that the student may maintain school attendance.

Every effort should be made by the parent/guardian for the student to receive needed medication outside of the school day. Prescription or over-the-counter drugs, pain relievers, cough medicine, inhalants, etc., shall be administered to students by parent/guardians outside of school hours except in unusual circumstances.

The first or adjusted dose of medication shall be administered at home by the parent/guardian. The first or adjusted dose will not be given at school.

All students and parents are reminded of the following:
School personnel cannot administer any medication until a form, signed by the parent is on file in the clinic. All prescription medication must also have a physician's signature on the PWCS medication form before a prescription medication can be administered. All medication, prescription and over-the-counter (i.e., Tylenol, Advil, etc.) brought to school must be in the original sealed container and kept in the clinic. It should be in small amounts as storage space is limited.

Students may keep in their possession certain medications, such as prescription inhalers and Epi-pens as warranted with a Health Treatment Plan on file signed by the physician.

Under no other circumstances will students be permitted to carry medication without the direct written physician's order and agreement of the school nurse or an administrator.

Medications can be administered to students that have signed medication consent on file and have their own medication into the clinic. All prescription medication must be brought in by a parent and the consent form must be signed by the physician. All medications must be in their original container and be labeled with the student's name.

Click on The Required Forms below
Medication Administration Form
Formulario de Administración de medicamentos
Medication Permission Form for Extended Day/Overnight Field Trips