PNSW Code of Ethics (consistent with HSCPOA)
Honesty & integrity: Communicate openly and honestly, showing courtesy and compassion in every interaction.
Privacy & confidentiality: Be respectful of recipients’ privacy and comply with privacy laws and employer policies.
Professionalism & accountability: Provide competent, dignified care, maintain appropriate boundaries, collaborate, and behave professionally at all times. Treat all colleagues and other professionals with a respectful and professional manner at all times.
Record keeping & reporting: Clearly and accurately document care services provided.
Ethical business practices: Charge reasonable fees, perform services regardless of fee, issue receipts, as applicable and honor agreements and contracts.
Recipient autonomy: Provide information to ensure informed consent and respect personal beliefs.
Clear qualifications: Provide accurate name and role.
Tolerance & acceptance: Respect care recipients’ cultural and religious beliefs and do not discriminate against others.
Continued Education: Pursue continuing education to ensure updated knowledge in your field.
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 can be found HERE
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice, the PNSWs scope of practice is below.
Client Support
A PNSW provides emotional, physical, and educational support tailored to each client’s needs in a respectful, non-judgmental, and mindful manner. This includes offering evidence-based information, non-therapeutic comfort measures, basic newborn care, and light household assistance as requested.
Communication & Advocacy
A PNSW facilitates clear and effective communication between clients and their care teams while ensuring the client’s voice remains central. A PNSW does not speak on behalf of clients but supports their ability to advocate for themselves.
Professional Conduct
A PNSW maintains respectful, professional relationships with clients, families, healthcare providers, and the broader community. They practice within their scope and provide referrals when client needs fall outside their role.
Collaboration & Safety
A PNSW may assist with basic monitoring tasks (such as maternal blood pressure, temperature, or urine dip readings) only under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
Limits of Practice
Professional Requirements
All Registered PNSW's and Qualifying PNSWs must maintain the following at all times while working with families:
Honesty & integrity: Communicate openly and honestly, showing courtesy and compassion in every interaction.
Privacy & confidentiality: Be respectful of recipients’ privacy and comply with privacy laws and employer policies.
Professionalism & accountability: Provide competent, dignified care, maintain appropriate boundaries, collaborate, and behave professionally at all times. Treat all colleagues and other professionals with a respectful and professional manner at all times.
Record keeping & reporting: Clearly and accurately document care services provided.
Ethical business practices: Charge reasonable fees, perform services regardless of fee, issue receipts, as applicable and honor agreements and contracts.
Recipient autonomy: Provide information to ensure informed consent and respect personal beliefs.
Clear qualifications: Provide accurate name and role.
Tolerance & acceptance: Respect care recipients’ cultural and religious beliefs and do not discriminate against others.
Continued Education: Pursue continuing education to ensure updated knowledge in your field.
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 can be found HERE
In addition to the PSWs scope of practice, the PNSWs scope of practice is below.
Client Support
A PNSW provides emotional, physical, and educational support tailored to each client’s needs in a respectful, non-judgmental, and mindful manner. This includes offering evidence-based information, non-therapeutic comfort measures, basic newborn care, and light household assistance as requested.
Communication & Advocacy
A PNSW facilitates clear and effective communication between clients and their care teams while ensuring the client’s voice remains central. A PNSW does not speak on behalf of clients but supports their ability to advocate for themselves.
Professional Conduct
A PNSW maintains respectful, professional relationships with clients, families, healthcare providers, and the broader community. They practice within their scope and provide referrals when client needs fall outside their role.
Collaboration & Safety
A PNSW may assist with basic monitoring tasks (such as maternal blood pressure, temperature, or urine dip readings) only under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare provider.
Limits of Practice
- A PNSW does not provide medical or clinical care, including diagnosis or treatment.
- A PNSW does not recommend medical interventions or perform invasive procedures.
- A PNSW does not act outside their scope and must refer clients to appropriate professionals when needed.
Professional Requirements
All Registered PNSW's and Qualifying PNSWs must maintain the following at all times while working with families:
- Current liability insurance (minimum $2 million coverage)
- A valid vulnerable sector police check
- Current CPR-C certification