This month's spotlight features our Fit Kids Clinic. Funded by the PATH Foundation, this clinic connects RCPS students and staff to Valley Health providers using tele-health technology. We asked Ms. Tara Prince, LPN, a few questions to provide our families with greater insight on this school-based health clinic.
Q: In your own words, can you share a typical experience when a student visits the clinic for the first time?
A: With parental consent and completed paperwork on file, students will come to the Fit Kids Clinic, which is located directly across from the nurse’s office at the elementary school. In this step, I process the registration and file it to ones insurance provider, then ask them about the symptoms they are currently feeling. I take their vitals such as temperature and blood pressure using the tele-health technology. If needed, I can run test for strep, flu, or covid within the clinic. Once this is completed they are connected with a Valley Health provider who can speak to them directly through a video monitor. A parent can have a live interaction with the provider and their child during the video visit. After the doctor makes a diagnoses, any necessary prescriptions can be sent to the pharmacy of the parent’s choice.”
Q: What are the benefits of having the Fit Kids Clinic in the school?
A: “Students can be seen by a physician or nurse practitioner without having to miss much time from school. Each appointment is roughly 20-30 minutes. Afterwards, they can return to class or be picked up by their parent, if necessary. It saves the parents from having to take them to a doctor’s office or urgent care. If a prescription is needed the parent can go get it when school is over or after the visit if necessary."
Q: What is your favorite part about working in the Fit Kids Clinic?
A: "I love nursing and I’m a very caring and compassionate person who has always helped children and adults my entire career and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I love the interaction to be able to provide needed care at a faster pace to children to get them healthy."
Q: Is there anything else that you would like parents to know?
A: "The paperwork needs to be filed out prior to the visit. This can be found on the school website (or by visiting link below). A copy of the front and back of their insurance card information is needed as well. This way it will speed up the process for a student's visit."
To access and complete the required paperwork, CLICK HERE. More more information, check out the Fit Kids Clinic flier below.
