What is a Perinatal Support Worker?
A Perinatal Support Worker or PNSW, is a Personal Support Worker who has graduated from a specialized program in perinatal care which allows them to provide non- medical, physical, emotional and educational support for women and their families from pregnancy through to the 1st year of infancy.
A Perinatal Support Worker or PNSW, is a Personal Support Worker who has graduated from a specialized program in perinatal care which allows them to provide non- medical, physical, emotional and educational support for women and their families from pregnancy through to the 1st year of infancy.
How is the PNSW different from traditional support?
A PNSW is a graduate from an academic program who has been educated and trained to facilitate the educational, emotional and physical support requirements of their clients from fertility, to pregnancy, through the birth and extending into the 1st year of infancy. A PNSW receives 1000 hours of education above and beyond their PSW education. A traditional service provider may or may not require any education or training.
This infographic can help show you how the PNSW differs from other persons who provide perinatal support.
A PNSW is a graduate from an academic program who has been educated and trained to facilitate the educational, emotional and physical support requirements of their clients from fertility, to pregnancy, through the birth and extending into the 1st year of infancy. A PNSW receives 1000 hours of education above and beyond their PSW education. A traditional service provider may or may not require any education or training.
This infographic can help show you how the PNSW differs from other persons who provide perinatal support.
Are there any prerequisites to enter into the PNSW program?
Yes, you must be a Personal Support Worker graduate from a recognized college/secondary institution to take the course. Once you have passed all 11 PNSW micro credentials and pass the entry exam you will be recognized as a Registered Perinatal Support Worker and must keep your updated CPR, Back check and liability insurance updated at all times to be active and in good standing on the www.pnsw.org registry.
What are the advantages to being a PNSW?
A PNSW is a graduate from a combined academic and practicum program offered by a recognized educational facility. A PNSW graduate receives a comprehensive education which will prepare them for working with a variety of families throughout the reproductive cycle and into the 1st year of infancy.
There are no programs such as this for PSWs anywhere in Canada. In addition to the PNSW program, graduates will also have access to trainings that are unavailable through other avenues.
Can I still work while taking the PNSW training?
The in-class theory portion of the program is offered in such manner that you can still work full time while taking the course. Currently the entire course is held online via zoom with live educators.
Do I need to have a college or university background to take the PNSW course?
You need to be a graduate from a recognized PSW program to apply for acceptance into the PNSW program.
Yes, you must be a Personal Support Worker graduate from a recognized college/secondary institution to take the course. Once you have passed all 11 PNSW micro credentials and pass the entry exam you will be recognized as a Registered Perinatal Support Worker and must keep your updated CPR, Back check and liability insurance updated at all times to be active and in good standing on the www.pnsw.org registry.
What are the advantages to being a PNSW?
A PNSW is a graduate from a combined academic and practicum program offered by a recognized educational facility. A PNSW graduate receives a comprehensive education which will prepare them for working with a variety of families throughout the reproductive cycle and into the 1st year of infancy.
There are no programs such as this for PSWs anywhere in Canada. In addition to the PNSW program, graduates will also have access to trainings that are unavailable through other avenues.
Can I still work while taking the PNSW training?
The in-class theory portion of the program is offered in such manner that you can still work full time while taking the course. Currently the entire course is held online via zoom with live educators.
Do I need to have a college or university background to take the PNSW course?
You need to be a graduate from a recognized PSW program to apply for acceptance into the PNSW program.
What is the scope of practise for a PNSW?
The Perinatal Support Worker is an advanced certification for Personal Support Workers (PSW) therefore all scopes and standards of a PSW would apply to a PNSW as well.
You can learn about the scopes of practice of a PSW HERE
You can learn more about the standards of practice of a PSW HERE
PNSWs provide information, educational and physical support to new and expecting parents. As an independent, ancillary member of the health care team the PNSW will be able to act as an advocate for the women and families whom they support. Working in collaboration with other members of a woman's health care team the PNSW can create the most appropriate and personalized emotional, educational and physical support for parents, baby and family. The PNSW may also work within institutions or directly with families.
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice, the PNSWs scope can be found HERE
The Perinatal Support Worker is an advanced certification for Personal Support Workers (PSW) therefore all scopes and standards of a PSW would apply to a PNSW as well.
You can learn about the scopes of practice of a PSW HERE
You can learn more about the standards of practice of a PSW HERE
PNSWs provide information, educational and physical support to new and expecting parents. As an independent, ancillary member of the health care team the PNSW will be able to act as an advocate for the women and families whom they support. Working in collaboration with other members of a woman's health care team the PNSW can create the most appropriate and personalized emotional, educational and physical support for parents, baby and family. The PNSW may also work within institutions or directly with families.
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice, the PNSWs scope can be found HERE