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Substitute Teacher Handbook

| Handbooks | Table of Contents | Welcome / Introduction | Section: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |


SAFETY, ACCIDENT, INJURY, AND HEALTH INFORMATION

ACCIDENT/INJURY AND HEALTH INFORMATION/DISPENSING MEDICATION

Every accident which results in a personal injury must be reported to the administration immediately. In the event the injury involves a student, the substitute teacher responsible for the student either as teacher, coach or sponsor is responsible for making the report. If the injury occurs in the presence of the substitute teacher, the substitute teacher is also responsible for making a report.

  • NEVER GIVE MEDICINE OF ANY KIND INCLUDING ASPIRIN TO STUDENTS. Refer them to the office or nurse for supervision taking medications.
  • If a student becomes ill, call for help. Send student to the nurse’s office and call to verify that the student is coming. You may need to have someone accompany that student.
  • Use latex gloves provided by the school if you must contact any blood or other bodily fluid.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

Substitute teachers are required to immediately report any work-related injury and/or work-related medical condition to their supervisor and complete all appropriate paperwork.


GENERAL SAFETY AND CRISIS INFORMATION

Familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations pertaining to fire, safety and crisis drills in any building to which you are assigned. If specific instructions have not been left, check with the neighboring teacher as to the procedure to follow.

  • Treat all threats seriously. Report any threat immediately to the main office.
  • Every school has a written emergency or crisis plan. This should be included in the substitute folder or on/in the teacher’s room/desk. Click here for general crisis information for substitutes.
  • Refer students in need of conflict management to administrators or counselors.
  • Tornado, fire, and emergency procedures should be posted in every classroom for visual review.
  • NEVER LEAVE STUDENTS UNATTENDED.

BLOODBORNE PATHOGEN EXPOSURE CONTROL PLAN

IF AN EXPOSURE SHOULD OCCUR:

  1. WASH AREA IMMEDIATELY OR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
    • Wash well with soap and water.
    • Wash with friction.
    • Wash under and around fingernails.
    • Wash with running water for at least 10 minutes.
  2. GO IMMEDIATELY TO THE HEALTH OFFICE
    • Assistance with wound care.
    • Notification of custodian for clean up of spill, if needed.
    • Completion of report form including documentation of wound.
    • If a potential exposure has occurred, referral to designated medical provider (DMP).
  3. THE DMP WILL DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION
    • Authorizations to draw blood for further testing will be fully explained.
    • You may choose to have your blood tested prior to undergoing any treatment, if recommended.
    • Depending on evaluation, prophylactic treatment may be recommended for HIV or Hepatitis B.
    • The blood status of the "source" need not be known to make treatment decisions.
  4. FOLLOWING THE DMP VISIT, YOU WILL RECEIVE
    • A written report in the mail from the medical evaluator.
  5. YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL RECEIVE
    • A letter stating that you received an exposure and that the appropriate treatment was initiated.
    • The district will also receive notice if there is a need for lab work and/or immunizations.
    • Lincoln Public Schools will not receive any lab results. This will be kept at the DMP and will not be released to anyone without your written permission.

AN EXPLANATION OF THE BASIS FOR SELECTION OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TASK CHART

PROCEDURE

HANDWASHING

UTILITY GLOVES

BARRIER: GOWN/LAB COAT

EYEWEAR AND MASK

Use of any non-invasive equipment
X
   
Caring for/examining students/staff without touching blood, body fluids, mucous membranes
example: assist with mobility needs
X
   
Caring for/examining students/staff including contact with blood, body fluids, mucous membranes
example: diapering/toileting assistance, feeding
X
X
If splattering is likely If splattering is likely
Giving personal care to students/staff with open wounds, incontinency
example: students with uncontrolled drooling; students with self-injurious behaviors, resulting in bleeding or open wounds; trach care, tube feeding
X
X
If splattering or smearing is likely If splattering is likely
Interventions for aggressive students
X
X
If splattering or smearing is likely If splattering is likely
Handling animal tissue and blood products
X
X
If splattering is likely If splattering is likely
Handling soiled waste, linen, other materials
X
X
If splattering is likely If splattering is likely
Cleaning up of spills of urine, fecal matter or vomitus
X
X
If splattering is likely If splattering is likely
Facility cleaning and maintenance of contaminated area
X
X
If splattering is likely If splattering is likely

General Guidelines

Gloves should be disposed of after each use.
Gloves do not replace the need for handwashing after contact.
Clothing that becomes soiled should be removed, cleaned or disposed of as soon as possible after incident.


EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE RISK CATEGORIES

Category

Definition

Personal Protective Equipment

Applicable Job Descriptions

CATEGORY I

All employees in this category have potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This category includes employees who perform procedures or other job-related tasks where there is the potential for mucous membranes or direct skin contact with blood, body fluids, or tissues, or situations where spills or splashes of these materials occur.

Employees in this group receive: training in exposure control plan, access to personal protective equipment, immunization against Hepatitis B at time of hire

Handwashing
Gloves - disposable
Utility Gown/Lab Coat
Mask*
Eyewear*
CPR Mask*

School Nurses, Treatment Nurses, Health Paraeducators
Athletic Trainers
Special Education Staff who: diaper, feed, assist with toileting, assist with mobility needs, assist students with self-injurious behaviors, assist students with behavior disorders who are prone to injuring self or others, assist with personal hygiene
Bus Drivers and Paras who: assist students with mobility needs, assist students with self-injurious behaviors, assist students with behavior disorders who are prone to injuring self and others, assist students who do not have control of bodily fluids (example: drool)
Campus Supervisors
Coaches
Category II

Employees in this category have potential occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens. This category includes employees who do not routinely perform procedures that would expose them to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but whose conditions of employment may require them to perform tasks that occasionally put them at risk.

Employees in this group receive: training in exposure control plan, access to personal protective equipment, immunization per exposure control plan as needed in the event of exposure

Handwashing
Gloves-Disposable
Administrators
Secretaries
Custodial Staff
Nutrition Services Staff
Non-instructional Technicians
Maintenance Staff
Distribution Center Staff
Transportation Staff not transporting students as described above
General Education Teachers
All Substitute Teachers

 


Rights & Obligations under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Law

RELEASE TO RETURN TO WORK FOR WORKERS' COMPENSATION FORM

RELEASE TO RETURN TO WORK (NOT WORKERS' COMPENSATION RELATED)


GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ITINERANT STAFF AND SUBSTITUTES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS AT LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Crisis situations at Lincoln Public Schools are rare. However, we want all school employees - including itinerant staff and substitutes - to be prepared in all sorts of emergency and crisis situations.

Generally, we urge staff and teachers to do the following:

  • Remain calm and in control of the classroom
  • Contact school administrators or fellow teachers
  • Protect the students and yourself

EMERGENCY RESPONSE GUIDES

Emergency Response Guides are being developed and will be delivered and placed into each classroom throughout the district sometime during the 2006-2007 school year. These flip chart style guides will identify commonly known emergencies and will provide definitive guidance on how to respond to emergencies. Information provided in the guides will be consistent throughout the district, so no matter at which school you will be working as a substitute teacher, the emergency response guidance for every type of crisis will be the same. The intent is to house these guides in a plastic wall pocket attached to the inside wall adjacent to each classroom door. That way, all staff members will know where to go for information during times of emergencies. These guides will assist all staff members to respond appropriately during a crisis.

GENERAL PROCEDURES IN CRISIS SITUATIONS

Code Red - General Procedures

A CODE RED is declared when, in the opinion of the Administrator-in-Charge, a situation exists that threatens the safety of students and staff and requires that they remain in their classrooms.

Code Red - Respond:

A designated emergency management team responds to a designated center.

Code Red - No Response: NO ONE MOVES.

The situation is unstable, and the risks are too great to have anyone moving about the school until the police arrive and assist in the assessment of the incident.

Special Note: An administrator will check the restrooms for students during a crisis.

Classroom Teacher’s / Staff Responsibilities

  • Close classroom door.
  • Make a list of all students not in the classroom when Code Red is declared.
  • Record the names of any students who enter the classroom after the Code Red is declared.
  • Maintain order and keep students on task.
  • If directed to evacuate the classroom, take student roll book with you.
  • Do not attempt to contact the office unless an emergency arises in your classroom or you have pertinent information concerning the current emergency.