When one Jackson school district cut expenses from its budget all the school nurse positions were eliminated. A new program starting at one elementary may help fill the void.
When children come down with something while they're at school or need attention for an ongoing medical issue, normally there's be a school nurse to tend to the child. That could all be changing at some schools in Jackson.
"The plan is to be training the secretaries and administrators to be giving medications or evaluating kids," said Dr. Matt Rosenberg with Mid-Michigan Health Centers.
Dr. Rosenberg, who also has two students in elementary school, decided to do something to change that.
"Initially I said, 'Is it possible to use this as a teaching lab?'" said Dr. Rosenberg.
Now, that's exactly what will be happening at Dibble Elementary. For four hours a day a trained medical assistant from Career Quest will be on hand to help students, and they'll be doing it for free. @
"She is going to be helping with medication distribution, as well as helping the students that are seeking minor medical attention," said Career Services Director at Career Quest, Mark Baker.
The medical assistant will also be getting experience in the field, which is why organizers are calling this pilot program a win-win.
Dr. Rosenberg hopes the program will grow. @
"If we can get this to work, maybe we can launch this throughout the Jackson public school system, and even to the counties beyond that," said Dr. Rosenberg.
He says Hunt Elementary School is next on the list to get a medical assistant if the program at Dibble Works well.
