School’s In—Is Your Sick-Day Plan Ready?

If creating a plan for childcare when your child is too sick to attend school wasn't on your back-to-school checklist, make a point to mark it off now.   

The start of school brings new routines, new germs, and the beginning of cold and illness season—so it’s a good time to know your options before you need them.

As a Carilion employee, the Sick Care Room (staffed by an LPN) at the Riverwalk Honeytree in Roanoke is available to care for your mildly ill child when you need to work. Carilion subsidizes 100% of the cost, and this benefit is available even if your child is not enrolled at HoneyTree for regular care.

What to Know

• Hours: The Sick Care Room is open 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. If you are scheduled to work later than 5:30 p.m., the Sick Care Room may remain open until 7 p.m., if prior arrangements have been made with the nurse on duty.
• Reservations: After 6:30 a.m., call Carilion Sick Child Care at 540-519-8946. If reservations are made after 5:30 p.m. or before 6:30 a.m., call CRMH at 540-981-7000 and ask the operator to page the staffing office.
• Medication: If your child needs medication (prescription or over the counter) in the Sick Care Room, you must submit a completed medication authorization form for the LPN to administer it.
• Guidance: To help ensure the Sick Care Room is a safe and quiet place for your mildly ill child, we ask that you follow these guidelines when determining if sick childcare is appropriate. 
• Required Documents: Before using the Sick Care Room, you will need to complete the registration form. You will also need to submit a copy of your child's birth certificate and immunization records to the nurse in the Sick Care Room. Remember, if you are signed up for MyChart you can pull a record of your child's immunizations from there.     

Appropriate Illnesses for the Sick Care Room

• Ear Infection
• Sinus Infection
• Tonsillitis
• Fever 100.4 degrees or below
• Minor non-contagious health problems
• Children with pinkeye and strep throat can use the Sick Care Room if they have been on medication or have been receiving treatment for at least 24 hours.

Too Sick for the Sick Care Room

• Fever at or over 100.5
• Respiratory infection, including symptoms of fever, cough, and runny nose
• Contagious rash
• Actively having diarrhea
• Actively vomiting
• Untreated strep throat, pinkeye, chickenpox, measles, or mumps
• Any other contagious illness which could include lice, scabies, ringworm, or MRSA

If your child has symptoms of a contagious illness, they may be admitted with a note from their physician that indicates that they are no longer contagious.

For more information, contact the HR Service Center through Employee Center or the Now mobile app.