Section 6: School Emergency Response Team (SERT)

Table of Contents

Purpose

It is the goal of the school to provide appropriate medical assistance to all students and employees in the event of a crisis, accident or injury on school property during regular school hours or authorized school activities. A school emergency response team development depends on four factors: space, staff, supplies and a systematic approach (procedures). 

Description

School Emergency Response Team (SERT) members provide support for health related issues and emergencies which occur in the school. SERT members are called upon to assist with health related incidents in the school setting. They act as first responders for school nursing support until the school nurse, parents or community emergency response personnel arrives on scene. They respond by performing delegated tasks or activities using universal precautions for emergencies. The emergency response team consists of consenting members selected by the school nurse and education team. The SERT members are certified in: CPR, AED, Basic First Aid, Stop the Bleed,  Medication Administration and if applicable (emergency voluntary stock medication administration) and other tasks as determined by the delegating school nurse. The SERT operates under the direction of the delegating school nurse in collaboration with school leadership. School nurses may be the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator (PECC) for the school.

Steps of Delegation to a SERT Member

The instructional steps assist the registered nurse working under the auspices of the school or program in professional judgement and accountability of delegation. Additional steps may be required depending on the school or program needs.

  1. personnel consents to perform delegated tasks and willingness to be on the SERT
  2. personnel completes CPR and AED training
  3. personnel completes first aid training
  4. personnel completes “stop the bleed” training
  5. personnel completes the medication administration course provided by the department of education
  6. personnel completes skills demonstration of delegated tasks annually with the school nurse
  7. personnel completes an annual awareness training if administering a voluntary stock supply of emergency medication per district policy and state regulation
  8. personnel completes bloodborne pathogen training and has met the standards in accordance with program, district, school, or charter school policy
  9. personnel verbalizes and demonstrates understanding of universal precautions
  10. personnel agrees to participation in mock drills
  11. personnel stays calm and focused during an emergency: follows instruction for communication protocol(s)
  12. personnel agrees to document and engage in a debriefing after an incident, crisis or emergency
  13. personnel understands and agrees to comply with all school hazardous waste and medication disposal requirements