PNSW Code of Conduct
PNSW Scope of Practice
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.
The PSWs Scope of practise are as follows:
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 facilitate self advocacy for the person and families whom they support. Working in collaboration with other members of the health care team the PNSW can create the most appropriate and personalized emotional, educational and physical support for the person, baby and family.
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice above, the PNSWs scope of practise is below.
All trained and registered PNSW agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and Scope of Practise listed under both PSW and PNSWs.
- Demonstrate professional integrity and maintain ethical standards when working with other PNSWs, educators, professionals and parents.
- Encourage clients to assume personal health care responsibility and make educated decisions during their pregnancy, birth and postpartum.
- Keep all information in regards to clients, colleagues, educators and other professionals, confidential.
- Make every effort to honor agreements and contracts for professional services.
- Treat all colleagues in a professional and respectful manner at all times.
- Pursue continuing education to ensure updated knowledge in the field of pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum.
- Ensure that they always practice with up to date liability insurance, police/back check & CPR.
PNSW Scope of Practice
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.
The PSWs Scope of practise are as follows:
- Co-operates with all members of the health team
- Promotes safety and works in a safe manner
- Assists with walking, movement and positioning
- Assists with mechanical and physical lifts and/or transfers
- Assists with personal care, personal hygiene, dressing, including laundry related tasks
- Assists with meal preparation, grocery shopping, feeding, dietary planning, food handling
- Answers call bells
- Checks and records vital signs
- Teaches life skills
- Assists with range of motion exercise and other rehabilitative measures
- Practices universal precautions and maintains a clean working environment
- Provides emotional and social support services to care-receivers and their families
- Is aware of common allergies and related first aid measures
- Works as a supportive care worker for palliative care and hospice patients
- Observes and reports clinical and treatment findings, behavioural changes and changes in ongoing conditions.
- Maintains records, documents procedures
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 facilitate self advocacy for the person and families whom they support. Working in collaboration with other members of the health care team the PNSW can create the most appropriate and personalized emotional, educational and physical support for the person, baby and family.
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice above, the PNSWs scope of practise is below.
- A PNSW provides physical, educational and emotional support as required, for their clients.
- A PNSW provides evidence-based research and educational information to their clients as requested.
- A PNSW provides open-minded, non-judgmental, mindful support and/or facilitation for their clients.
- A PNSW must be kind, caring, calm, patient, adaptable and versatile.
- A PNSW provides basic comforting touch for their adult and infant clients as requested.
- A PNSW provides water birth education and support to a family having a water birth.
- A PNSW provides support for clients who use hypnosis for pain management.
- A PNSW provides education on basic nutrition during pregnancy, postpartum and infancy.
- A PNSW provides education and monitoring for maternal, partner and infant mental health
- A PNSW provides basic baby care for clients.
- A PNSW provides assistance with minor household chores as requested.
- A PNSW facilitates communication to assist their clients to self-advocate. A PNSW does not ever speak for their clients.
- A PNSW who is asked to provide services outside of their scope of practice must decline and refer the client to an appropriate resource.
- A PNSW does not provide any clinical or medical care for their client, baby or any family members.
- A PNSW does not recommend any clinical or medical treatment for the mother, baby or family members.
- A PNSW can only perform procedures or treatments for their clients that fall within the PSWs scope of practice.
- A PNSW may take blood pressure readings (maternal) temperature (maternal and fetal) or urine dip readings under the direct supervision of a licensed health care provider (ie RPN, RN, RNP, MD).
- A PNSW does not provide transportation for their clients.
- A PNSW does not function as a nanny, housekeeper or chef for their clients.
All trained and registered PNSW agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and Scope of Practise listed under both PSW and PNSWs.