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K5: Understanding of general medical terminology and the effects of medical treatments and medications as they relate to students with Other Health Disabilities (OHD) in the education setting.

K6: Understanding of how OHD (including terminal illness and emergencies or life-threatening situations) impact learning, including behavioral, cognitive, social, and emotional development.

K8: Understanding specific information related to students with OHD and using this information to take steps to respond to emergency situations within the education setting that involve students with OHD.


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Responding to Emergency Situations

Picture of a student looking worried. This lesson focuses on preparing for, preventing, and responding to emergency situations in which students with known health conditions are involved. Equipped with this information, you may be better able to assist students in avoiding and dealing effectively with emergencies. If you are aware of the needs and characteristics of those you support, then planning ahead, being prepared, taking appropriate safety steps, and implementing emergency plans for students with known health conditions will help you respond successfully to most emergencies, minimize the impact of emergencies, and prevent the occurrence of future emergencies.

As a paraprofessional, knowing the steps and procedures involved in preventing and responding emergency situations that face students with health conditions within the education setting is extremely important. Several key steps will help keep yourself and the students whom you support safe:

Know your role as a paraprofessional in preparing for, preventing, and responding to emergencies.
Know important health information about the students with whom you work. Periodically review this health information and general emergency procedures with your supervisor, the school nurse, and other appropriate school personnel.
Work with the educational team in prevention of emergencies.

As a paraprofessional who supports a student with OHD, it is important for you to review the fact sheets and specific information related to OHD to learn more about the general characteristics of acute or chronic health conditions that might make students more vulnerable to emergency situations. In addition, by reviewing the information about the student’s current health history with the school nurse, you may learn about specific behaviors that might lead to emergencies, the precautions you can take to prevent emergencies, or how to respond appropriately, quickly, and efficiently if an emergency situation occurs.

The following are several initial steps you can take to respond to a student who is experiencing a medical emergency:

If the student has an emergency care plan for a known health condition, review and follow it when an emergency occurs.
Provide first aid or CPR if no one else is immediately available, the situation requires such attention, and you are trained in those “first response” procedures.
Ask someone to notify the school health office or main office and request assistance.
As with all emergencies, you will want to know your school's emergency policies and procedures and follow them.
Call your supervisor as soon as possible after stabilizing a situation.