Student Health Center

Welcome The Brewer Schools Student Health Center (BSSHC) is a medical clinic that has been established as a partnership between Brewer School System and Penobscot Community Health Center (PCHC) to provide accessible medical, dental and mental health services to Brewer students. The goal is to keep students healthy and in school. The clinic is not intended to replace the services of a student's regular health care provider, but will work in tandem with them to better coordinate your child's care. If your child does not have a primary health care provider, the BSSHC may serve as your child's provider, at your request. Eligibility Any Brewer student with a completed and parent/guardian-signed enrollment form on file (see attached) may use the services of the Student Health Center throughout the current school year. Students who are at least 18 years old, emancipated minors, married, or who live independently, may sign permission for themselves. Students may be seen by appointment or may walk in. Services In most cases, students are first seen by the school nurse and referred on to Student Health Center services as appropriate. Students must have a pass that releases them from class in order to be seen at the Health Center. For elementary students, appointments may be arranged through the school nurse. A few of the services offered at the Student Health Center are listed below. Treatment of acute illness or minor injury (sore throats, bronchitis, muscle strain, etc)- the Nurse Practitioner is able to write or call in prescriptions if needed for treatment Management of chronic health conditions (acne, asthma, allergies, etc) Testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases Physical exams (including sports physicals) Immunizations Preventive dental services (screening, cleaning, sealants, etc) and referrals for restorative treatment Mental health and substance abuse counseling. Staff The Student Health Center staff consists of an experienced family nurse practitioner, dental hygienist, licensed clinical social worker and medical assistant. Mental health services are provided by a licensed clinical social worker. The school nurse and guidance counselors are not members of the Student Health Center staff, but will work closely with our team to coordinate student referrals into the clinic and assist with follow-up as needed. Parent Involvement The Student Health Center staff invites parents to be an integral part of a student's health care plan. Parents are welcome to call or make an appointment to come in to the Student Health Center with questions or concerns about their child's health or accompany them to a Health Center visit as appropriate. Staff will make every effort to inform parents about their child's diagnosis and treatment when appropriate. Cost for Health Services We will bill most private insurances as well as MaineCare/Medicaid. Families may be billed for Student Health Center services and copays not covered by their insurance. Additionally, the cost of services provided outside the Student Health Center, such as prescriptions, lab work or diagnostic tests, are the responsibility of the student and his/her family. For those families who do not have health insurance for their child, the Health Center staff can assist with making an application for MaineCare coverage. No student will be denied services due to lack of insurance coverage or inability to pay. All students are entitled to unlimited use of the Health Center throughout the school year. Penobscot Community Health Care has a sliding fee scale available to patients without insurance to provide reduced fee for services. We have attached the guidelines and application for that program. Confidentiality By law, all medical, dental and mental health information kept in a student's health record is confidential. Only BSSHC staff will have access to your child's health record. No records or information will be released from the Penobscot Community Health Care/BSSHC without written consent from the student or parent. Maine State Law also allows students to seek services for issues related to mental health or substance abuse without requiring parental notification. Students are always encouraged to share their health concerns and treatment information with their parents. Hours of Service The Student Health Center is open Monday through Friday at Brewer Middle and High Schools. The hours vary each day depending on the type of service being offered. Please check with the school nurse or the Health Center for daily hours. During weekends, school vacations and holidays, the Student Health Center will be closed. In the event that your child needs care when school is not in session and students for which the BSSHC is their primary care clinician (or for those who need mental health services) please call Penobscot Community Health Care Summer Street Clinic at 992-2636 to request an appointment. Students who have a primary care physician in the community should call that office for an appointment. For Further Information Listed below are phone numbers to call for further information about Student Health Center services and how to enroll. Brewer High School Clinic 992-2456 Brewer Middle School Clinic 992-2393 Penobscot Community Health Care Summer Street Clinic 992-2636