The roles of Mahtomedi Health Office staff are many and varied. School nursing is recognized as a specialized nursing practice that advances the well-being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. We help students and their families navigate the education day while taking into account the health needs of each student. Advocating for, and teaching good health-fostering habits assist our students to become productive and healthy adults.

Health services provided within the Mahtomedi School Health Program include:

• Monitoring compliance with state immunization guidelines

• Identification and prevention of the spread of disease

• Administration of medication 

• Case management services, i.e., implementation of individual health care plans for students with health concerns

• First aid assessment and treatment for injuries

• Illness assessment and treatment

• Promotion of healthy life-style choices

Licensed School Nurses (LSN)
Mahtomedi has one full-time LSN that is assigned to our school district. The amount of time spent at each school varies depending on the number of students enrolled, the specialized health procedures required by the students, and the number of students receiving Special Education.

Licensed School Nurses are licensed by the Minnesota Department of Education. A bachelor's degree in Nursing with Registered Nurse licensure and Public Health Nursing Certification is required to obtain a school nurse license.

The responsibilities of the Licensed School Nurse include:

• Develop and supervise a system of first aid, illness management, emergency care, and health related guidelines

• Assess, plan, and document for those students with acute and/or chronic health conditions

• Coordinate vision and hearing screening and do follow-up with referrals

• Serve as a resource to staff, students, and families regarding health concerns and health education

• Coordinate prevention and control of communicable diseases

• Provide guidance, delegation, and supervision of Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Health Paraprofessionals

• Special Education Team Member

Building Registered Nurses (RN)
Building RN staff assist the LSN in implementing and achieving the goals of school nursing and are able to provide daily skilled nursing care in caring for students during the school day.

High School Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / District Float Nurse
The LPN assists the Building RN with daily health office tasks such as medication administration and caring for ill or injured students. They are also available to assist and cover in health offices throughout the school district if one of the Building RN's are absent, or require additional assistance for other tasks. 

Health Para-Professionals (HP)
Health Paras assist the LSN and Building RN's in implementing and achieving the goals of school nursing in our schools daily. They care for ill and injured students and carry out delegated nursing activities under LSN and Building RN supervision.

Responding to the needs of students with chronic conditions such as asthma, allergies, diabetes and epilepsy in the school setting requires a comprehensive, coordinated, and systematic approach.  Students who have their health needs met have better attendance, improved alertness and physical stamina, fewer symptoms, fewer restrictions on participation in physical activities and fewer medical emergencies.  Mahtomedi health offices will work with parents, students, health care providers, and the community to provide a safe and supportive educational environment for students with chronic illnesses and to ensure that students with chronic illnesses have the same educational opportunities as other students.

• Asthma Information

• Common Health Concerns

• Diabetes Information

• Food Allergy Guidelines

• Seizures Guidelines

• Stinging Insect Allergy Information