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Health Services

Bristol Tennessee City Schools is committed to improving the health of everyone associated with Bristol Tennessee City Schools and our community. It is our goal to do this by providing innovative, appropriate, and accessible services that support the pursuit of health and well-being. Please see the file drawer at the bottom of the page for more information.

Nursing

Christina Dollar
(423) 652-9328 or [email protected]

School Health Clinics:
Our schools are each equipped with a health clinic and staffed with a part-time licensed practical nurse (LPN) or in some cases a registered nurse (RN). The school nurse functions under the supervision of a full-time system-wide RN. The school nurse provides a standard of care in accordance with the State of Tennessee and Bristol Tennessee City Schools Board of Education. She/he manages vision and hearing screening, responds to emergencies, provides medical procedures as needed by students, assesses student illness and provides care, contacts parents, communicates with the physician and administers medications as needed. If an injury or illness has occurred, the school nurses will asses the student and contact the parents accordingly.

For specific issues, please contact your school's nurse.

Anderson: Lori Viars, [email protected] 652-6753
Avoca: Sherry Hawkins hawkinss@btcs.org 652-9567
Fairmount: Tammy Moore [email protected] 652-9454
Haynesfield: Julie Brummett [email protected] 652-9559
Holston View: Kathryn Netherland netherlandk@btcs.org 652-9562
Tennessee Middle: Julie Nave [email protected] 652-9487
Tennessee High: Susanna Martinez [email protected] 652-9422


COVID-19 Information


Student Accident Insurance


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Niswonger's Virtual Health Clinic (NVHC):

Students and staff of Bristol Tennessee City Schools will now have access to medical care at each school through a partnership with Niswonger Children's Hospital. With prior parent consent, the care will be available using telemedicine technology in our new Niswonger Virtual Health Clinics (NVHC).

The program allows students and staff to see the school nurse for initial evaluation. If the issue requires care beyond what the school nurse can provide, they can connect via the Internet to a provider, which will be a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

With the assistance of the school nurse, the provider can then examine the student's throat, mouth, ears, and eyes virtually using specialized video equipment. A parent or guardian can even be instructed how to join the visit through their computer or phone without leaving work or home.

If ordered by the provider, the school nurse can perform two basic tests for flu and/or strep. If a prescription is needed, it will be electronically sent to the student's pharmacy. The provider and school nurse will determine if the student can stay in school or if they need to recover at home. After the visit is complete, the provider will contact a parent or guardian and the child's pediatrician or primary care provider to communicate what care was given and arrange any necessary follow-up appointments.

The goal is to keep students and staff healthy and in school by identifying illnesses early. Also, the new clinics will provide medical services for children who may not normally have access to a doctor. The NVHC will take most insurance plans including TennCare. For private insurance, the copay amount will be billed. In addition, a flat fee of $49 will be billed for those without insurance. Payments will not be accepted at the school.

Prior to their child being seen by a provider, parents must complete the necessary paperwork. A packet was sent home at the beginning of the school year. The packet may also be obtained from the school nurse or accessed here.

The school-based clinics offer primary care services to students and staff, including the following:

  • Fever
  • Sore Throat
  • Allergy Symptoms
  • Ear Pain
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Skin Irritation
  • Inflammation
  • Limb Sprains
  • Chronic Illness

For more information, contact your school nurse.

Niswonger's Virtual Health Clinic Packet

Niswonger's Virtual Health Clinic Packet (Spanish-language version)


Required Immunizations Tennessee Department of Health

More information:

Lice Information for Parents
Meningitis Letter
Physical Exams/Immunization

Student Health Data Form:

These forms are sent home every year for parents to sign for their child to have a list of over the counter medications. This will enable your child to receive medications such as Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen as needed in the school clinic. The form allows parents to inform staff of new medical diagnosis or set up a meeting with the school nurse. Please review and return as soon as possible.

Student Health Data Form

Individual Health Plan (IHP):

Any student with a medical condition needs to have an IHP. This plan provides the school nurse and school staff with important information for managing the student's medical needs and responding appropriately to a medical emergency. These forms are confidential and will be shared with only the staff involved with the student. These forms are also maintained by the school nurse and kept in a medical file in the health clinic. IHPs are sent at the beginning of the school year to parents who have listed a medical alert with the school. If your child has developed a new medical condition that the school is not aware of please discuss this with your school nurse and request an appropriate IHP to complete.

Allergies IHP
Asthma IHP
Bee Sting Allergy IHP
Diabetes IHP
Individual Health Plan
Seizure IHP

Medications:

School personnel cannot dispense any prescription or nonprescription medication to any student unless the medication is brought to the school by a parent/guardian in the original container or a Health Data Form is signed by a parent/guardian. Medication will not be accepted in a baggie, envelope or foil. A medication form must be signed by the parent if the medication is a not listed on the Health Data Form. All prescription medication must have a doctor's signature on the medication form. Students are not allowed to carry any medication on their person with the exception of emergency medications (inhalers, epi pens, diabetic supplies). Emergency medications must also have a doctor's order on file with the school nurse. If you prefer, you may come to the school and administer the medication or discuss with the ordering physician an alternate dosing schedule (i.e., outside of school hours).

Medication FormMedication Policy

Screenings:

Each year, the school nurse will conduct a vision and hearing screening. The screenings conducted at school are screenings only and are not meant to replace a professional eye/ear exam or yearly physical. Nonetheless, the school screening tests are carefully and accurately performed and will provide an indication of your child's functioning at this time. Screenings are not conducted on every grade but a select group only. A letter will be sent home informing you of your child's performance on the screenings.

Health Education:

The Health Education curriculum for Bristol Tennessee City Schools includes all aspects of health, including community health, consumer health, disease control, environmental health, mental and emotional health, conflict resolution, abuse, personal health, nutrition, physical education, safety and first aid, and drug/tobacco/alcohol.

The Family Life curriculum is a component of this curriculum and is presented to grades 5-9 by qualified school system personnel. Male and female students are separated for sensitive topics. Family Life Education begins in the home and should by centered in the home. The goal of the Family Life program is to provide accurate information, including growth and development, reproduction, pregnancy and childbirth, and parenting. The program promotes the development of healthy relationships in the present and the future. Decision-making skills are incorporated to avoid the effects of negative peer pressure. With accurate information, students are better prepared to make healthy choices and hopefully reduce substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, diseases, and teen pregnancy. This is done through stressing abstinence from risk behaviors as the healthiest choice.

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