Medication administration is an essential service schools provide to support student health and learning. The complexity of medication administration in the school environment continues to evolve due to various factors, and students may require medications for various reasons. The school nurse is often the only health professional in the building. The school nurse selects and trains UAPs annually and continually evaluates them for competence in performing a selected nursing task, such as medication administration. The medication training videos provided are intended to augment the school nurse's training, not replace it.
The Maine Department of Education provides the following guidelines in accordance with Maine Revised Statute Title 20-A section 6403-A (5), which directs the commissioner to issue guidelines on the provision of school health services and health-related activities.
Medication Administration in Maine Schools: Evidence-Based Guidelines for PreK and School-Aged Students
- Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 254, subsection 5 - Requirement that school administrative units (SAU) develop a policy on medication administration
- 05-071 C.M.R. ch.40 (2022) Rule for Medication Administration in Maine Schools - Outline of what must be included for medication administration. Local procedures/protocols must be developed for the proper disposal of medications not retrieved by parents or guardians.
- Maine Medication Drop-Off Location Map
- DEA National Take Back Day Unused Medication Collection Site, Locator
It is recommended that medication be administered only when it is essential for the student to remain in school.
- National Association of School Nurses (NASN) School Nursing Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline: Medication Administration in Schools
- Maine DOE Priority Notice: Discretionary Medications
- Decision Tree for Nurse Coordination & Oversight
- Certificate of Attendance for Training
- Sample List of Trained Unlicensed Assistive Personnel
- Sample Medication Administration Procedure for Field Trip
- Sample Medication Authorization Form
- Sample Medication Error Protocol (National Association of School Nurses)
- Sample Medication Error Reporting Form
- Sample Medication Training Competency Checklist
- Sample Medication Training for Field Trip Checklist
- Sample Refrigeration Temperature Log
Contact
Emily Poland, MPH, RN, NCSN
School Nurse Consultant / Coordinated School Health Team Leader
Email: emily.poland@maine.gov