(a) Except as otherwise provided in this article, all school districts alone or jointly with other districts or joint school boards shall employ school physicians and school dentists but only with the approval of the Secretary of Health, and shall compensate them on a basis agreed upon by the school physician or school dentist and the employing district or joint school board, and shall employ one or more school nurses. Health officers of municipalities may be appointed as school physicians by school districts or joint school boards. For special examinations recommended by school physicians, school districts or joint school boards may engage the services of ophthalmologists or other licensed medical specialists or of optometrists. Any school district alone or jointly with other districts or joint school boards may employ dental hygienists and such other technical and clerical personnel as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.

(b) A school nurse who is not CPR-certified by a Department of Health-approved certifying agency by July 1, 2014, shall complete CPR training within one (1) year. A person hired for a position as a school nurse after July 1, 2014, shall be CPR-certified or complete CPR certification through a Department of Health-approved certifying agency within one (1) year of the hire date. A school nurse shall complete CPR recertification within the time frame established by the approved certifying agency.