Health and Student Services ESP —  Building a Quality Workforce

Health and Safety -- Protecting the Individual Employee

Bloodborne and other Pathogens

Health & Student Services ESP's risk contact with blood and body fluids in their work environment more than any other ESP job family. These materials may contain pathogens, organisms that can cause serious disease.

The Bloodborne Pathogen Standard was developed by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration in 1991 to protect private employees with anticipated occupational exposure to these organisms. Of major concern are the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the cause of AIDS. Since 1991, many states have adapted this legislation to protect public employees as well.

Other fairly common concerns for Health & Student Services ESP are head lice, fungal infections, viral and bacterial respiratory infections, measles, chicken pox, parasitic infestations, and some more serious diseases, such as spinal meningitis.

Much more information is available each year as the medical community gains greater understanding of each of these pathogen risks and how to prevent and treat them.

It is also an important part of the Health & Student Services ESP's job to administer and monitor immunization procedures against some of these pathogens within the student population. Current and complete information, equipment and supplies are essential, as is specific and comprehensive professional development and training for Health & Student Services ESP.

Violent Student Behavior

Health & Student Services ESP often come in contact with students whose behavior puts them at risk for physical harm. Fighting and assaults occur, and health professionals are responsible for the safety and well-being of the student offenders, themselves, and others around them. Often the violence is directed toward the health professional, requiring a different response. Health & Student Services ESP have the right at all times to protect themselves and to maintain order and discipline as much as possible. Several basic steps should be observed in case of violence:

• Call for assistance, send someone for help, or call 911 if an altercation is out of control or if violence is directed against you.
• Disperse any crowd in the area — by removing the audience the motivation to fight may be reduced.
• Try to remove or push aside items from the area — this reduces the risk for further injury or harm and helps eliminate their use as a weapon.
• Require that supervisors and administrators support actions taken by you on the scene.

Aside from the obvious, the difficulties that arise from violence against Health & Student Services ESP can be extensive. Tremendous stress is created for employees who are subject to violence or responsible for controlling violence in their work environment. Professional development programs are desperately needed to provide specific training so employees can respond to violence appropriately and protect themselves on the job.

In addition to meaningful professional development, a Health & Safety Committee in your Local could provide for current information gathering, more meaningful training programs, and a psychological outlet for individuals exposed to violence. The ideal would be a joint committee with the administration that would provide even more attention and resolution regarding often difficult and dangerous problems for Health & Student Services ESP. If you are a victim of violence while on the job:

• Call for help immediately! (911, police, fire, etc.)
• Seek medical attention immediately! Insist on immediate medical diagnosis and treatment (emergency room, ambulance, etc.).
• Report all injuries to the school administration, the local police when necessary, and complete an accident or incident report, and/or file charges when appropriate.
• Contact your Local Association Representative immediately, in-cluding your State UniServ and/or NEA UniServ Representative. Your representatives can help you document your case in order to file for appropriate medical coverage and compensation.
• Always record the time, date and summary of what happened as completely and as soon as possible! Report immediately to your supervisor.

Given the existing environment, every school adult plays a part in public school security. Any plan designed to protect students and staff must always include Health & Student Services ESP. It must also provide for individual security at all times for personnel working in areas alone and unprotected.

Has the district provided security training for Health & Student Services ESP? Has the district appropriately included all Health & Student Services ESP in the "Intruder Response Plan?" Has the district provided the proper equipment for individuals working alone, such as cell phones, secure land lines, emergency and medical contacts, and an escape plan should it become necessary? Professional development should include meaningful training in areas such as:

• Local police and fire liaison
• Professionally developed Intruder Response Plan
• Procedure for dealing with violent or disruptive students
• Individual employee liability in violent situations
• District policy regarding weapons confiscation

To Section 10: Meaningful Professional Development = A Quality Workforce