Washington County, Tennessee Schools send medical consent forms for permission to provide care to students

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) – Washington County, Tennessee Schools are sending out consent forms to parents and guardians for permission to administer medical care to students.

Washington County Director of Schools Jerry Boyd said this consent form is a part of a new Tennessee law called the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act that went into effect in July.

The Washington County School District broadened this medical form so more than just nurses can administer care.

“In further discussion and interpreting the law and through legal counsel’s guidance, we developed a blanket consent form that included any kind of assistance, whether it’s by a coach on the sideline, if there’s an injury and so on,” Boyd said.

Teachers, coaches and athletic trainers will be able to administer care with this consent. According to the school district’s website, “medical care” is a broad term that can even extend to these employees providing a Band-Aid to a student.

“Something like ibuprofen, parents are contacted if that’s administered,” Boyd said. “But in most cases, we rely on the parents to administer those kinds of things. But any kind of immediate or direct treatment is needed. You know, if there’s an injury where there needs to be bandages or just any kind of medical treatment.”

For Washington County Schools, certain actions do not require consent, such as taking vital signs, examining a sore throat or ear drainage, stabilizing an injured arm or leg and responding to emergencies.

Schools can still follow up with parents to let them know aftercare is administered.

“The consent form doesn’t relinquish us from doing follow-up conversations with parents and guardians about something that might have involved your child that required medical attention,” Boyd said. “Of course, there would be follow-up.”

The form states that if parents or guardians revoke consent, they agree to come to the school immediately to care for their child. Additionally, if school staff need to call 911 for an emergency, the parents or guardians will be responsible for any charges.

You can see more information about the medical consent form and how to fill it out on the school district’s website .

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