How do you make a pot of coffee? I don’t drink coffee often, but when I do, I want it to be rich with flavor and not too dark, and not too transparent. I know exactly what I like to see as I pour it into my mug and the steam rises, and its warmth gently kisses my face, while this amazing aroma comforts me.

Ok, I like coffee! But for years I could never get it right. I mean how much water, how much coffee grains? It never turned out the way I liked it. My husband makes great coffee, but no matter what I do, I could never make it like him. After wasting many pots of coffee I eventually, somewhat, got it! It is true; practice makes perfect.

The Importance of Frequent Staff Training

When administrators ask me about staff training and frequency, I always think about my coffee-making woes and how many times it took me to make an ok pot of coffee. Unfortunately, school administrators only want to know about the minimum requirements.

This is truly disappointing when you consider the fact that medical skill training can be complex; especially in Implementing best practices over minimum requirements is important.

As a medical professional with over 20 years of experience, I must think about someone in a medical emergency. their signs and symptoms, the safety and ability of the people around me, and the list goes on and on. When delegating a medical skill to a non–medical professional, I don’t mind telling you that I take it quite seriously. When I provide training to a non–medical professional, I am taking my years of experience, practice, and knowledge and trusting a non–medical professional to understand and deliver quality support to a child who is in a medical crisis. When a child is in a medical crisis everyone panics., It is overwhelming and quite stressful for everyone. Every situation is different, and you must respond accordingly. Current and frequent training will prepare school staff to deal with the unknown. It also gives staff an opportunity to share their stories while receiving current strategies and tips.

I must admit, I do get a little irritated when providing training to people who are a little too confident because they have a family member with the same disorder that I am training them in. Although it is good when my students have basic knowledge of a medical condition. In most cases, they have just enough knowledge to make them dangerous. Their experience is based on a specific type of patient with very particular parameters.

Why the Minimum Requirements for Staff Medical Training Are Not Enough

I wish I could give you a magic number for all training, but for the most part, the law is not very specific when It comes to training requirements and frequency, so you must rely on other factors. Administrators must consider more than minimum requirements when determining the frequency of medical skill training.