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
Who May Screen
Workshop Registration



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?

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.

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Resources:

Financial Assistance for Medical Care for Children

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General Spinal Screening/Scoliosis Information

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Location of Audiovisual Library

Videos for schools to show students/parents/personnel

  • Scoliosis order # 6904
  • Taking the Scare Out of Scoliosis # 7408
  • Understanding Scoliosis # 6700

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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.
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