"Medication" means prescribed drugs and medical devices that are controlled by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are ordered by a healthcare provider. It includes over-the-counter medications prescribed through a standing order by the school physician or prescribed by the student's healthcare provider.

Any school employee delegated by the school administrator through the Nurse:


Administering Medication

The Board will permit the administration of medication to students in schools in its jurisdiction. Pursuant to the written authorization of a physician or dentist, as well as the written authorizationof a parent or guardian, the school nurse, (who has successfully completed specific training in administration of medication) may administer medication to any student in the school or may delegate this task pursuant to Montana law.

Emergency Administration of Medication

In the absence of a school nurse, the administrator or designated staff member exempt from the nurse license requirement under § 37-8-103(1)(c), MCA, who has completed training in administration of medication, may give emergency medication to students orally or by injection. There must be on record a medically diagnosed condition, which would require prompt treatment to protect the student from serious harm or death.

Record of the medication administered in an emergency will be entered on an Individual Student Medication Record and filed in the student's cumulative health folder.

Administering Medicines to Students

Self-Administration of Medication

Students who are able to self-administer specific medication may do so provided:

1. 1. A physician or dentist provides a written order to self-administration of said medication.
2. There is written authorization for self-administration of medication from the student's parent or guardian.
3. The principal and appropriate teachers are informed that the student is self- administering prescribed medication.

Any school employee authorized in writing by the school administrator or principal may assist with self-administration of medications provided that only the following acts are used:

1. verbal suggestions, prompting, reminding, gesturing, or providing a written guide for self-administering medications;
2. handing a pre-filled, labeled medication holder, labeled unit dose container, syringe, or original marked, labeled container from the pharmacy to the student;
3. opening the lid of the above container for the student;
4. guiding the hand of the student to self-administer the medication;
5. holding and assisting the student in drinking fluid to assist in the swallowing of oral medications;
6. assisting with removal of a medication from a container for students with a physical disability which prevents independence in the act
7. If a student is physically or functionally unable to self-administer medication, the parent/guardian will make arrangements through the school nurse for personnel to administer medication.

Administration of Glucagons

School employees may voluntarily agree to administer glucagons to a student pursuant to § 20-5- 412, MCA, only under the following conditions: (1) the employee may administer glucagon to a diabetic student only in an emergency situation; (2)the employee has filed the necessary designation and acceptance documentation with the District, as required by § 20-5-412(2), MCA, and (3) the employee has filed the necessary written documentation of training with the District, as required by § 20-5-412(4), MCA.

Administering Medicines to Students

Handling and Storage of Medications

The parent or other responsible adult must first deliver all medication, including those approved for keeping by students for self-medication, to the nurse or employee assisting with the self- administration of medication. The nurse or the employee must:

1. Examine any new medication to insure that it is properly labeled with dates, name of student, medication name, dosage and physician's name.
2. If administration is necessary, the nurse must develop a medication administration plan for the student before school personnel give any medication.
3. Record on the Student's Individual Medication Record the date the medication is delivered and the amount of medication received.
4. Store medication requiring refrigeration at 36F - 46F.
5. Store prescribed medicinal preparations in a securely locked storage compartment. Controlled substances will be contained in a separate compartment, secured and locked at all times.

No more than a forty-five (45) school day supply of a medication for a student will be stored at the school. All medication, prescriptions and non-prescriptions, will be stored in their original containers.

Access to all stored medication will be limited to persons authorized to administer medications or assist in the self-administration of medications. Each school will maintain a current list of those persons authorized by delegation from a licensed nurse to administer medications.

Administering Medicines to Students

Disposal of Medication

School personnel must either return to parent, an individual who has executed a caretaker relative educational authorization affidavit, or destroy (with permission of the parent, guardian or an individual who has executed a caretaker relative educational authorization affidavit,) any unused, discontinued or obsolete medication. The school nurse in the presence of a witness will destroy medicine, which is not repossessed by the parent or guardian, within a seven (7) day period of notification by school authorities.
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