Student Health Center - Gloucester Public Schools

The Student Health Center at Gloucester High School is the result of a collaboration between the Gloucester Public Schools, Addison Gilbert Hospital and Cape Ann Pediatricians, PC. The Center joins with existing school services to provide in-school health care for students that is both convenient and easily accessible. The goal is to treat and prevent the health and social problems that so often interfere with academic attendance and success.

What is the Student Health Center?
What services are offered there?

You can come to the Center for routine health care, to be treated when you are ill, if you have health-related questions, or if you need counseling and social support services. The Health Center professionals will not replace your primary care provider if you have one, but will try to contact the provider should you need treatment. The Student Health Center offers students primary care (general medicine) services, health education, counseling and mental health services.

ü Testing and follow-up

ü Visits for illness or injury, and prescriptions

ü Referrals for other health care as needed, including lab
work

Health Education on a variety of important topics is provided by the Center’s nurse practitioner to individuals in the classroom setting.

Counseling is also offered around adolescent health issues because basing your decisions on reliable information can help you lead a healthier life.

Mental health counseling and referrals, when needed, are available for many problems and concerns you may have, such as:

v Depression

v Stress

v Relationships with family, friends and teachers

v Drug and alcohol abuse

v Suicidal thoughts and feelings

v Your self-esteem (how you feel about yourself)

Who works at the Student Health Center?

The Center is under the medical direction of a team of local physicians. The Center is staffed by a nurse practitioner who works in collaboration with the school nurse and the student support services staff.

What are nurse practitioners?

Nurse practitioners provide medical care. They are registered nurses and have advanced education and training in specialties such as pediatrics and family medicine. They are licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and can prescribe medications.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by stopping by the Student Health Center, Room #1214. When school is not is session (after school hours or during vacations) you can contact your primary care provider.

Will the services of the Center cost anything?

No student will be denied health services because he or she cannot pay for them. If you have private insurance or Mass Health, the Health Center will do the necessary billing for the services you receive. If you have no insurance, we can offer you assistance to access one of the coverage plans provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Will my reason for using the Student Health Center be kept private?

All information is kept confidential except when the student is a danger to herself or himself or to others. The Center staff and school nurse will not tell anyone why you came to the Health Center.

Do I need permission to use the Center?

If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian must sign the attached consent form before you can be seen at the Student Health Center. However, if you do not have a signed consent form, your school nurse is available as always to access medical problems.