The recent addition of school based health services to school districts around the country has had unquestionable positive impacts.  In a recent study of 1900 U.S. School health centers, there was a fifty percent decrease in absenteeism due to mental health counseling in a school based setting.  Even President Obama mentioned the Bruce Randolph School for its academic improvements.  For the past six years, the school has maintained a school based health service.  Of eight hundred students enrolled in the school, seven hundred used the services over the 2009-2010 year.  As more government funding becomes available, the number of these services is only expected to grow.  

Of course, mental health counseling is only one facet of school based health services.  Immunizations are one of the most common services provided, as are medication administration and regular health exams.  Some programs even offer basic dental health care and can help students gain health insurance.  Nurses are often available throughout the school day in case of emergency, or to help care for disabled students.  Speech therapy and monitoring for children with conditions such as asthma can help alleviate parent's worries as well.  One major benefit is the presence of the trained eyes of a health professional on hand to watch for signs of mental or physical abuse.

Another component of school based health services deals with dangerous behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse.  Several services deal with sexual abstinence, or helping to curb risky sex practices among students.  Some more progressive health services even offer help dealing with teen pregnancy and pre-natal care for pregnant students.  While most elementary and high schools rely on at least some government funding, many colleges and universities have added health service buildings to their campuses.  Students and faculty can seek medical help at these locations, and many will employ health care students in part-time positions as part of their education.  

Many colleges offer courses that will award students with degrees in the health services field, a degree that is required to find employment in the world of school based health services.  Many universities give prospective students the chance to circumvent traditional campus based education and take their classes entirely over the internet, easing the process for those already working a full time job but desiring to change their careers.  Whether administrative or nursing, securing one of these degrees is the first step towards embarking on a career in the school based health services field.

With such a wide variety of assistance provided by school based health services, and more school districts adding the programs weekly, employment opportunities in the field are booming.  Earning an associate's or bachelor's degree in health services from an accredited college can lead to a career in one of the most rewarding fields the health industry has to offer.  The chance to help ensure that the nation's students stay healthy and get the most out of their education is an opportunity that can reward a health service worker with not only an excellent salary, but a feeling of pride few other jobs can supply.