Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30am to 3:30pm

The Nurse's Office will not accept students without a pass. If a student becomes ill during school, the student is not to leave campus without first going to the Nurse's Office. This includes during lunch. The school nurse will contact a parent/guardian to release the student from school. (It is imperative that the nurse has an accurate Emergency Health Card on file for each student.)

There is a Teen Health Center provided by the Venice Family Clinic. The Teen Clinic's mission is to provide health care to students whose families are low-income and do not have health insurance. A wide variety of services are available. The clinic is held in the nurse's office on Monday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to Noon by appointment which can be made through the Samohi Nurse's Office. The nurse's office will be relocated during the clinic. You can reach the nurse at Ext. 71507 and 71510.

The nurse's office is in need of cereal or granola bars. Please drop off donations to feed students who have had no breakfast and are not feeling well.

CHILD ABUSE REPORTING:
All employees are mandated reporters. The nurse can act as a resource in assisting anyone in filing a report.

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL:
The nurse checks the immunization record of each student entering the high school. The nurse's office must be notified of any communicable disease a student contracts in order to make necessary notification to other students so that they may take appropriate precautions.

CRISIS INTERVENTION:
The nurse may be asked to assist in the event of various crises that may occur with students or staff during school. The nurse may also assist in helping students deal with a crisis that has occurred outside of school so that the students can be given appropriate referrals.

CRUTCHES
Students cannot be on campus with crutches without a doctor's order.

DENTAL SCREENING:
Appropriate referrals are made for any suspected dental problem. For those in need, vouchers are available in the Nurse's Office from the Santa Monica Assistance League. They offer dental care for a small copay.

EMERGENCY CARE/FIRST AID:
The nurse and the nurse assistant are first aid and CPR certified. They are also in charge of triage and treating the most severe cases in the event of an emergency and determine when 911 needs to be contacted.

EYEGLASSES:
For those in need, the Santa Monica Assistance League offers free Eye Exams and Glasses if needed. Vouchers are available in the Nurse's Office.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT:
The nurse performs general health assessments on students depending on the presenting problem.

HEALTH EDUCATION:
The health office has information on various health issues. The nurse is also available to talk with a class if requested by the teacher.

HEALTH RECORD DOCUMENTATION:
The nurse keeps updated information on each student's health card. Please keep the nurse informed of any health/mental health issues.

HEARING SCREENING:
Each new student and tenth grader has his/her hearing tested. If test is not passed, parents/guardians shall be notified and a referral made.

INHALED ASTHMA MEDICATION and EPI-PENS:
Students are allowed to carry and self-administer inhaled asthma medication and auto-injectable epinephrine if the nurse has a medication authorization on file. This must be renewed yearly.

MEDICAL REFERRAL:
Referrals are sent home if the nurse feels a follow up with a physician is necessary.

MEDICATIONS:
The nurse and the nurse assistant can dispense prescription medications to students if she/he has a medication authorization and the medication is in an original prescription bottle. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact the Nurse.

SKIN INFECTIONS and MRSA INFORMATION:
Skin Infections and MRSA Information for California Schools

SOCIAL WELFARE REFERRALS:
The nurse works with a social worker and school psychologists to assist students in crisis.

SPECIAL EDUCATION:
The nurse works closely with special education teachers regarding medical issues and attends meetings involving parents when appropriate.

STUDENT HEALTH COUNSELING:
Students can meet confidentially with the nurse to discuss anything that is of concern to the student. The only situations where the nurse will break confidentiality is if the student is a threat to self, threat to others, or a victim of child abuse.

STUDENT STUDY TEAM:
The nurse is on the SST and meets weekly with other team members to discuss the needs of students who may need extra assistance.

VISION SCREENING:
Each new student and tenth grader has his/her vision tested. If test is failed, a referral is sent home to parents/guardians.