Scolosis Certification

Scoliosis Home Page

Scoliosis Rules

The state of Texas mandates spinal screening for students in the 6th and 9th grade using school nurses and other trained adults to screen all students. Careful training and understanding of spinal screening is essential for the success of this program.

Schools may implement a program that includes screening in the 5th and 8th grades as an alternative to 6th and 9th.

The intent of the state law is to maintain a three-year gap between students’ spinal screenings.

Spinal screening certification is valid for 5 years from date on card, after which screener must renew certification by passing another State Department of Health Service approved workshop.

Who May Screen?

§37.142. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(10) Screener--An adult, non-student who performs the spinal screening test in a school setting. Screeners may be health practitioners who are licensed under state law or non-health practitioners who have successfully completed a department-approved course in spinal screening.

Anyone may screen (Health aides, LVN, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, and adult volunteers) provided they complete a spinal screening certification workshop conducted by the Department of State Health Services by an approved trainer.

Licensed professional health practitioners (RNs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians, chiropractors, physical therapist) may screen without prior training provided their prior certification covered a course of study of physical assessment, or they received formal advanced instruction in spinal screening as a part of continuing education.

Licensed professional health practitioners may attend a spinal screening at anytime for additional guidance or to refresh their skills and knowledge.

TUTORIAL for SPINAL SCREENING REPORT:
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has created an on-line tutorial on the Spinal Screening Report (FORM M-51). This tutorial walks the user through each section of the report form.

Form M-51 due to the state on June 30th
All Forms for Spinal Screening (letters, exam and report forms)

Spinal Screening Certification

Topics: Audiovisual Library Financial Assistance for Medical Care for Children General Spinal Screening/Scoliosis Information Resources Scoliosis Rules Tutorial for M-51 Form Form M-51 due to the state on June 30th All Forms for Spinal Screening (letters, exam and report forms) Who May Screen Workshop Registration DSHS Spinal Website APP for I-Phone or Android Scoliogauge-will allow you to use phone as the scoliometer (FREE) Scoliotracker-Can track your students (minimal cost)
Martha Payne, RNC Public Health Nurse Dept of State Health Services 409 South Hill Meridian, TX 76665 Martha.Payne@dshs.state.tx.us 1-254 435-6331
State Spinal Screening Program Health Screening Group-Mail Code 1938 P. O. Box 149347 / Austin, Texas 78714-9347 1100 West 49th Street / Austin, Texas 78756-3199 Austin TX 78756 512-458-7111 or 1-800-252-8023, ext 6446 Fax: 512-458-7256
Scoliosis Home Page Scoliosis Rules The state of Texas mandates spinal screening for students in the 6th and 9th grade using school nurses and other trained adults to screen all students. Careful training and understanding of spinal screening is essential for the success of this program. Schools may implement a program that includes screening in the 5th and 8th grades as an alternative to 6th and 9th. The intent of the state law is to maintain a three-year gap between students’ spinal screenings. Spinal screening certification is valid for 5 years from date on card, after which screener must renew certification by passing another State Department of Health Service approved workshop. Who May Screen? §37.142. Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in these sections, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (10) Screener--An adult, non-student who performs the spinal screening test in a school setting. Screeners may be health practitioners who are licensed under state law or non-health practitioners who have successfully completed a department-approved course in spinal screening. Anyone may screen (Health aides, LVN, physical education teachers, classroom teachers, and adult volunteers) provided they complete a spinal screening certification workshop conducted by the Department of State Health Services by an approved trainer. Licensed professional health practitioners (RNs, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physicians, chiropractors, physical therapist) may screen without prior training provided their prior certification covered a course of study of physical assessment, or they received formal advanced instruction in spinal screening as a part of continuing education. Licensed professional health practitioners may attend a spinal screening at anytime for additional guidance or to refresh their skills and knowledge. TUTORIAL for SPINAL SCREENING REPORT: The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has created an on-line tutorial on the Spinal Screening Report (FORM M-51). This tutorial walks the user through each section of the report form. Form M-51 due to the state on June 30th All Forms for Spinal Screening (letters, exam and report forms) *Back to Top*
Resources: Baylor Scoliosis Center Phone number 972-985-2797 Resources for Spinal, Vision and Hearing The Texas Department of State Health Services screening rules Spinal Screening Program Guidelines Forms for Spinal Screening Screening Information and Procedure Revision to Spinal Screening Program Rules (Effective August 2002) Order Scoliometers School Health Corporation 1-800-323-1305 www.schoolhealth.com
Financial Assistance for Medical Care for Children TexCare Partnership Plan 1-800-647-6558 *Back to Top*
General Spinal Screening/Scoliosis Information American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Scoliosis Research Society National Scoliosis Foundation Shriners Hospital for Children-Houston *Back to Top*
Location of Audiovisual Library 2012 Health Media Catalog-DSHS Videos for schools to show students/parents/personnel SCOLIOSIS (closed captioned) - 6904 video color 12 min. 1998 I-JrH Intended for showing to students prior to the scoliosis screening at school. Topics include: the spine’s normal curvature; spinal curvature problems resulting from scoliosis; the importance of early detection; what to expect from the scoliosis screening procedure and effective treatments for scoliosis. (MARSH) SCOLIOSIS: AN ADULT PERSPECTIVE - 6816 video color 17 min. 1992 A Details the deformities and complications of five adult women suffering from scoliosis. In each case the condition was either not treated earlier or the treatment was unsuccessful. Emphasizes the responsibility of the patient in maintaining their own medical records apart from their health care provider in order to document anatomical changes. Presents factors to consider before deciding upon back surgery. (SAI) Taking the Scare Out of Scoliosis # 7408 Understanding Scoliosis # 6700SCOLIOSIS (closed captioned) - 6904 *Back to Top*
	Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (except holidays) Toll free: 1-888-963-7111 ext. 7260 (512) 458-7260 Fax: (512) 458-7474 Physical Location: Audiovisual Library, Mail Code 1975 Warehouse Bldg., Rm. 115, 1111 North Loop Blvd., Austin See Driving Directions	Postal Service Mailing Address: Audiovisual Library, MC 1975 Texas Department of State Health Services P.O. Box 149347 Austin, TX 78714-9347 UPS/FedEx Mailing Address: Audiovisual Library, Mail Code 1975 Texas Department of State Health Services 1100 West 49th Street, Warehouse Bldg., Rm. 115 Austin, TX 78756-3199
Up-Coming Training Dates Click link for Scoliosis Trainings in the future To Register for Workshop Bring food for a working lunch!
NOTE: The Texas Department of Health (TDH) has merged with other agencies and is now part of the new Department of State Health Services (DSHS), resulting in the following e-mail address format change for all employees: firstname.lastname@dshs.state.tx.us. *Back to Top* Return to home page