? about FFX County - School clinic aid

[Anonymous]

Yes, the problem is the clinic aides have very little training. And only a high school diploma is required for the job. So they often overreact to things that aren't serious, and do nothing for cases that are. A few years ago, when our clinic aide was out for a month, they actually asked PTA stay-at-home moms to fill in for her.

[Anonymous]

Ok to all the PPs -- the clinic aid that you are describing as uneducated actually MADE THE RIGHT CALL and it was confirmed by a person who spent at least 4 years studying the human body and probably 4 years of residency practicing medicine on kids.... OP has admitted that she was wrong about the kid being healthy.... yet you continue to put the clinic aid(s) down.

Maybe this is really the "I hate school clinic workers" thread, but you need to look at the facts and admit that the clinic aid did EXACTLY what s/he should do to keep the rest of the school from getting pink eye! Give them a break. Their job is to help the child who is having a problem AND protect the health of the other students.

[Anonymous]

I don't have a problem with the clinic aid herself. The least common denominator (someone without medical experience) should send a child to a doctor for a note for anything she may not understand or that she thinks may be serious. My problem is with FCPS who think it's okay to employ (do clinic aids get paid?) or staff a clinic with someone who has very little medical knowledge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't have a problem with the clinic aid herself. The least common denominator (someone without medical experience) should send a child to a doctor for a note for anything she may not understand or that she thinks may be serious. My problem is with FCPS who think it's okay to employ (do clinic aids get paid?) or staff a clinic with someone who has very little medical knowledge.

You are correct that there is no educational requirement for clinic aides in FCPS. They are paid positions. They have to know how to do CPR, and they have specific guidelines/procedures that they must follow. So, that's what the OP's clinic aide did -- there was a report of redness and goop -- so the clinic aide is required to call the parent. The clinic aide excersizes limited judgment, mainly following established protocols.

I agree with the person I quoted in that it sure is different from when we grew up and every school had a nurse. I guess these are the services they cut out when the budget gets tight. Despite that, I have nothing but praise for our clinic aide who has helped my child numerous time with bumps/bruises, he seems to keep the kids calm, and he does not send every sniffling/coughing kid home. The system in my school (despite its lack of a nurse) seems to be working o.k.