But those people must be trained by experienced health care professionals on the correct protocols, whether it's giving medication or providing CPR until the paramedics get there. Crotchett said school employees who are not health professionals shouldn't be forced to routinely perform medical tasks. Last year, in addition to dispensing medications, Crotchett was told by one mother to prick her son's finger on a regular basis to monitor his blood sugars. The previous year she had refused to take on the responsibility of catheterizing a third-grader with spina bifida. We shouldn't be forced to do a medical procedure we don't feel comfortable or qualified to be doing.
Some school districts hire part-time physicians, but that's rare, except at residential schools.
Physicians are more commonly employed as medical directors or consultants. Some residency teaching programs place medical residents in schools as part of their training. The AMA encourages state medical associations to ask state departments of education and local school districts to appoint school health committees with at least one physician member. Physicians can also participate by becoming involved with school boards, making presentations at schools and inviting members of the school staff to ED-sponsored educational presentations, the ACEP report said. Back to top.