School Health Services

DOH-Sarasota offers comprehensive School Health services to all students enrolled in public and charter schools.The School Health Team works together to promote and protect the health, safety, and well being of students in Sarasota County.

Registered Nurses

A registered nurse is assigned to each of the public schools in Sarasota County. Some of the school nurses are hired by DOH-Sarasota while others are hired by Sarasota County Schools. School nurses enhance health within the school and community by providing health appraisals, nursing assessments, periodic health screenings, health counseling, referral and follow-up of suspected or confirmed health problems, emergency health services, and promoting activities to reduce risk-taking behaviors. School nurses work with school personnel and clerical staff to assure that all students meet the mandated requirements for immunization and physical examination documentation. Health education is conducted by the school nurse in both formal classroom presentations and informal small group or one on one sessions. School nurses collaborate with parents, teachers, social workers, and other health care providers to develop care plans, share available health resources, and identify the need for health referrals to address specific health problems discovered through mandated health screenings and assessment. School nurses serve as a health resource and provide in-service education and wellness consultation for school staff.

Clerical Staff

School Health clerical staff coordinate and assist school nurses with state-mandated screenings at the schools and ensure that results are documented; review student health files to confirm that immunizations and physical examinations are in compliance with Florida statutes; monitor computerized health programs and provide systems training to school board and health department staff.

More information:

• School Health Services - Sarasota County Schools