Student Health Services:

Contracts and Providers

Objective:

• This section will provide an overview of MNPS Student Health Related Contracted Providers and Services.

• The following agencies have contracts for the current school year with MNPS to provide student health related services. All services are provided on-site at the schools. MNPS personnel are NOT allowed to release students for services to any agency without a contractual agreement with MNPS (such as private medical/dental clinic vans, etc.).

School Nursing Services

• All schools have a contact nurse assigned for consultation but actual availability at the school may be limited due to the number of students requiring direct skilled nursing services throughout the District.

• Nurse assignments are made based on students requiring skilled nursing services and the development of Individual Health Plans (IHPs).

• Most nurses are assigned multiple school sites which a nurse travels

between multiple times daily.

• In an unusual situation where the nurse is not at the school for a required procedure, call the School Nurse Office immediately so arrangements can be made for the services.

• In a medical emergency situation, always call 911. Then inform the nurse/nurse contact as well. The nurse/nurse contact may not be available to respond but should be made aware of the situation for follow-up as needed.

School Nurse Services• When a student enrolls who may require direct

skilled nursing services, contact the School Nurse Office as well the assigned School Nurse.

• A determination of services or other needs will be made by the School Nurse Team.

• Individual Health Plans are developed for students with chronic disease or illness.

• It is important that appropriate staff are knowledgeable about the IHP, his/her responsibility and the safety/emergency protocol for the student.

School Nurse ServicesSchool Nurse Providers include:

• Metro Public Health Departmento All MNPS Schools except three serviced through Vanderbilt School of

Nursing.

• Vanderbilt School of Nursing o Fall-Hamiltono Park Avenue o Stratton

Vision and Hearing Screenings

• Well-Child, Inc. – District funds have been budgeted for students in grades K, 2, 4, 6 & 8 only.

• The vendor provides screening result forms that are to be placed in the cum/educational record after teacher review.

• Students who fail the screening, the vendor sends a referral letter to the parents through U.S. mail.

• School staff follow-up with parents regarding hearing and/or vision concerns.

• If students from other grade levels need to be screened, school staff can borrow equipment through the Exceptional Education Department & conduct those screenings.

Dental Program (Tooth Fairy)

• Metro Public Health Department-screenings, examinations and sealants (K-8).

• The program has been in the MNPS schools for more than 20 years and uses licensed dental professionals who are experienced with school culture.

• Schools are offered services on a rotating basis.• Scheduling of schools is done in the spring for the

next school year.• Space to set up the portable dental equipment is

required.

Wellness Screenings/EPSDT

• Well Child, Inc. (elementary and middle schools)• Principals can choose to participate in this

program.• Provides free EPSDT (well-child physicals) for

TennCare students only. • Well-Child does not provide immunizations but

otherwise this exam is the same as an annual visit to a pediatrician.

• Parents should be made aware that TennCare will pay for only one of these exams per year.

Optometry Services• Well Child Inc. (elementary and middle schools)• Principals can choose to participate in this program • Provides free annual comprehensive optometry exams for

TennCare students only whose parent/guardian signs a Well Vision consent for a comprehensive, and has not had a similar exam in the prior 12 months.

• Services include comprehensive optometry exams, prescriptions for glasses, distribution of glasses, and fitting of glasses.

• Well Child will provide each eligible student in elementary grades, that needs glasses, with two pairs, one to be taken home and the other to be kept at school.

• Parents should be made aware that Well Child intends to seek reimbursement from third party payers, including TennCare.

Nursing InternshipsThe School Nurse Program and MNPS work in partnership to provide Nursing Internships. Contracted nursing programs include:

• Aquinas College ASN Program, • Belmont University, • Tennessee State University School, of Nursing• Vanderbilt School of Nursing

Information:For more information contact:

Nicole (Proffitt) Boyle Director Student Health Services

615-259-3282 Ext. 858033