We take very seriously our responsibility for student health and welfare. We’ve had many years of experience in providing high quality health care and supervision for students far away from home. We know how important this is both to the student and to the parent who is thousands of miles away. It’s not unusual, during a residential program, for every student to have a number of days when they don’t feel well. We have a sophisticated and thoughtful health care system in place. While parents will generally not be informed regarding fairly typical and minor ailments (head colds, upset stomach, etc.), parents are consulted and are involved in helping determine the most appropriate treatment when more serious illnesses or injuries are involved. Parents are given prior to the semester a list of emergency contact phone numbers and email addresses so that they are aware of who to contact if ever there is a concern or a question. It is critical that parents and students be very honest with Heller High as to their child’s medical and emotional history, medications, hospitalization, or other treatments the student has received. As the program takes its responsibility for student welfare very seriously, having full and complete information about each child entrusted to our care is tremendously important. Only when we have the full history of each student, can we provide the quality care that every student deserves and that parents expect.
The student’s medical file accompanies him or her to all medical appointments. Following visits with either nurses or doctors, the medical file and relevant are updated. If a student received sick leave from the day’s activities, he or she will have an early curfew at 9 PM. If the student is not fully recovered by the next day, he or she should return to the kibbutz clinic or doctor.
No ‘invasive’ procedure is conducted without explicit permission from the nurse, assistant principal, or the principal. If an IV is needed, it is started and then the counselor immediately notifies one of the above. A clear explanation of how to use any medications prescribed must be given to the student in the presence of the staff member and repeated aloud to double check the instructions, use, and dosage. The counselor must verify in the presence of the student what the instructions for care, diet, and rest are for the same day and for the next 48 hours. A clear legible written doctor's report, test results, and any x-rays that were taken are brought back to Tzuba.
Parents will be informed as promptly as possible if there is any significant medical problem so that parents can be informed and involved in the recommended treatment of their child.
If a student requires a referral or further treatment, we use the following facilities:
- The Jerusalem Medical Center - They are an excellent staff of six English speaking family practitioners. The facility also has a competent nursing staff, full laboratory, and x-ray capabilities. One floor below the medical center is a pharmacy, should there be prescriptions that need to be filled.
- Terem Jerusalem - A 24 hour emergency room, full service, walk in clinic.
- Hadassah Hospital is less than a 10 minute ride from Kibbutz Tzuba. The Emergency rooms at Hadassah Hospital and specialists at Hadassah are available if need be. When Heller High is away from the Kibbutz, we have access to hospital emergency rooms throughout Israel. Specialists in all fields have contracts with our health insurance provider.
- Students must carry their medical insurance card with them wherever they go
- Heller High issues a list of emergency numbers for Israeli families who host students for a free weekend off campus
- Counselors carry the students medical files with them whenever they go on a trip in the event that a student needs to visit a clinic or hospital
- A counselor accompanies each student to the doctor, clinic or hospital if a visit is necessary
- Medical personnel who accompany the group on field trips additionally carry the students’ medical files and are in touch with the Harel insurance hotline
- The Kibbutz nurse is on 24 hour call for consultation while the group is off campus
Important note: while students are covered by health insurance in Israel, it is essential that students remain covered by the medical insurance they have at home. Please do not allow for any gaps in medical insurance coverage as pre-existing conditions are not covered by our policy in Israel. Visits to mental health providers are not covered by our insurance in Israel.
Please click here to view the URJ's Child Protection Policy Update