What makes a school health adviser (SAAC) necessary in today’s world? What is the role that an SAAC plays? Is he or she simply an administrative assistant? What makes someone eligible to become a SAAC? In this article, I will examine these questions and try to provide some answers.
The primary duty of a school health adviser is to make sure that all of the school’s teachers, staff, parents and students are healthy and that the entire school is in good health. This includes monitoring the nutritional and clinical needs of the various groups within the school, and making sure that they meet those needs. In doing so, the SAAC not only provides support and guidance to the school’s administrators, but also to each individual teacher, student and family member. In addition to that, the school health adviser is also responsible for ensuring that each child has met his or her vaccinations on a regular basis and has received annual check-ups at the doctor’s office for immunizations. If a child or student shows signs or symptoms of a sickness or disease that could negatively affect their health or life, it is the duty of the school health adviser to refer them to a professional for further evaluation and assistance.
An individual who possesses a graduate degree in public health, preferably with a concentration in community health administration, can be an excellent school health adviser. A person in this position will have the responsibility of coordinating and working with a number of different individuals, such as the principal, the nurse practitioner, the counselor, the psychologist and even the dental hygienist. All of these individuals play a significant role in the health of the students within the school and by working together they can help to ensure that all students get the best possible care. Some schools even have a centralized school health adviser whose job is to coordinate care among the different groups that make up the school.
If you are interested in being on the staff of this important committee
Then you may want to think about becoming a school nurse. It is the job of the nurse practitioner to oversee and mentor the registered nurse on campus. The registered nurses in a school may also be involved in a number of different tasks, such as overseeing after-school activities and working with the food service staff. As a nurse, you would be a great addition to the health advisory council.
Another individual, who may be chosen to serve on the council is the director of health for the local school district. There are some individuals who work solely within their area of responsibility and there are others who supervise the entire health department on a national level. While it may not be your preferred position, if you are interested in working locally and helping to improve the health of students at your school, then you may very well be chosen to serve on the school health board.
The other position that many individuals are interested in working towards when they are choosing to serve on the council is a case manager. This individual will be primarily responsible for working with students and parents. You may also be asked to coordinate health education seminars and gatherings for students in the local area. Many times, these positions require an individual to travel, which can be quite a challenge for those who have not spent a great deal of time in the field. Although it may not be for everybody, if you are looking for a challenging career that allows you to impact the lives of others, then working as a case manager may be a great choice for you.
