Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 216 - Department of health
Chapter 20 - Community Health
Subchapter 10 - Screening, Medical Services, and Reporting
Part 4 - School Health Programs
Section 216-RICR-20-10-4.10 - School Health Personnel

Universal Citation: 216 RI Code of Rules 20 10 4.10

Current through March 20, 2024

The administrative head of school(s) with the advice and consent of the school committee of each community, school district or appropriate non-public school authority (e.g., superintendent, headmaster or principal) is required to arrange for the appointment of all school health personnel necessary to implement the health services requirements described in this Part, pursuant to the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-21.

4.10.1 School Physician

A. Qualifications and general duties of the school physician include the following:
1. Must be licensed to practice allopathic or osteopathic medicine in Rhode Island in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-37.

2. Must be qualified by training and experience to assume the role of a school health physician consultant (e.g., develops school health protocols, provides in-service training for school nurses) and/or primary care provider (e.g., performs physicals, examines outbreak cases) for a wide range of comprehensive school health services.

3. Must have knowledge of all State and local laws, Regulations and protocols pertaining to schools.

4. Must ensure implementation of all such laws, Regulations and protocols in collaboration with the school's administrative authorities and school health personnel.

5. Must have a contract with the school system defining mutually agreed upon expectations and objectives.

6. Must provide a regular report, a minimum of one (1) per year, on consultation and/or direct service activities provided.

7. At least annually, must review and approve school health service plans, protocols, and programs (except those developed and provided by the school dentist[s]) including but not limited to:
a. Delivery of school health services and screenings;

b. Consultations;

c. Furnishing information on health-related matters;

d. Review of standing orders, protocols and procedures; and

e. Reporting and management of infectious diseases and outbreaks, in accordance with Part 30-05-1 of this Title, Reporting and Testing of Infectious, Environmental and Occupational Diseases and RIDOH recommendations related to infection control in the school environment.

4.10.2 Certified School Nurse-Teachers and Certified School Nurses

A. Qualifications and general duties of the school nurse include the following:
1. Must be licensed as a professional (registered) nurse pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-34 and certified by RIDE as a certified school nurse or as a certified school nurse-teacher pursuant to 200-RICR- 20-20-1, Regulations Governing the Certification of Educators in Rhode Island..

2. Must provide population-based health services to students in public and non-public schools in the community.

3. Must provide individualized health services to all public-school students in the community.
a. This requirement shall not be construed as prohibiting certified school nurse-teachers or certified school nurses from providing individualized health services to students in non-public schools.

B. Exemption from Certified School Nurse Requirement
1. Non-public schools are authorized to employ registered nurses licensed in Rhode Island pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-34 who are not certified by RIDE for the purpose of providing individualized health services, including dispensing medications, to students in the non-public school setting.

2. Registered nurses may not provide the population-based health services and other requirements of the school health program as described in this Part.

4.10.3 Dentist/Public Health Dental Hygienist/Dental Hygienist

A. Qualifications
1. The school dentist(s)/public health dental hygienist/dental hygienist for a community must be licensed to practice dentistry/dental hygiene, respectively, in Rhode Island in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 5-31.1, and have at least three (3) years of clinical experience as specified in R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9.
a. Public health hygienists performing the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9 must do so in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-31.1-39.

b. Dental hygienists performing the dental screenings pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9 must do so under the general supervision as defined in Part 40-05-2 of this Title, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, and Dental Assistants, of the dentist liable and responsible under the contract with the community.

B. General Duties
1. The school dentist, public health hygienist, or dental hygienist as specified in § 4.10.3(A)(1)(b) of this Part may perform any of the required dental screenings of students.

2. Each dentist must also examine students referred by the administrator, school nurse, or physician for suspected dental disease.

3. The school dentist, public health hygienist and dental hygienist, when applicable, must be qualified by virtue of training and experience to assume the role of a school health dental consultant (e.g., develops school health protocols, provides in-service training for school nurses or dental hygienists) and/or service provider in accordance with Part 40-05-2 of this Title, Dentists, Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants.

4. The school dentist, public health hygienist and dental hygienist, when applicable, must have knowledge of all relevant State and local laws, Regulations and protocols affecting schools, and must participate actively to ensure implementation of all such laws, Regulations and protocols in collaboration with the school's administrative authorities and school health personnel.

5. The school dentist or public health hygienist must establish a contract with the school system defining mutually agreed upon expectations and objectives and the dentist, public health hygienist and/or dental hygienist, when applicable, must provide a regular report, (a minimum of one (1) per year), on consultation and/or direct service activities rendered to the school system.

6. Referrals of students screened by the school dentist, public health hygienist and dental hygienist, must be made in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-9(c).
a. Referrals by a dentist, public health hygienist or a dental hygienist to non-profit dental programs that provide oral health services on a reduced or sliding fee scale basis are exempt from the provisions of § 4.10.3(B)(6) of this Part.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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