SALPN News – April 1, 2020

The COVID-19 Pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation affecting every individual, group, family, and organization in society.  The SALPN is accountable to the public through the Minister of Health.  The SALPN Council and staff have worked diligently to ensure our responsibilities and obligations are fulfilled.

Operations:

All SALPN staff are working from home.  With some modifications to ensure compliance with social distancing requirements, the SALPN core functions continue to be accomplished. 

• ‘LPN Search’ function on the website
• Acceptance of applications and issuing of licensure
• Response to practice-based inquiries
• Acceptance and investigation of complaints
• Continued monitoring of current discipline orders
• Pre-Authorized Payment Program
• Virtual statute committee meetings

The SALPN Annual General Meeting is postponed. The Ministry of Health, to whom SALPN is accountable, has indicated that regulators must focus efforts on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recommend the delay of Annual General Meetings until an appropriate time.

The SALPN Education Conference, normally held in conjunction with the AGM, is cancelled.

Regulatory Response:

The SALPN is working closely with our partners at the Ministry of Health, regulator colleagues, Practical Nursing education programs, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to adequately prepare the health system and regulated health professionals for the coming days and weeks.

Employers may be required to redistribute current employees and seek others to join the workforce. It will be the responsibility of employers to arrange for the redistribution of health care workers based on the needs and risks of the environment. Regulators, at the request of the Ministry of Health and the SHA, may be required to accommodate the emergency licensure of professionals to support the needs of the health care system.

The SALPN Council has taken the following steps to offer temporary emergency licensure, if required:

1. Non-Practicing LPNs are offered the opportunity to voluntarily change their status to Practicing, at no cost (more information is available below). The status change will make them available to employers during the response.
2. Amendments to the Regulatory Bylaws to accommodate emergency licensure, if required, at no cost, were submitted to the Minister of Health for approval.  If approved by the Minister, the SALPN have the authority to enact emergency licensure measures.

A phased approach to emergency licensure is in place if it is required.  Please watch your inbox for information about emergency licensure.

The SALPN is currently working with the Practical Nurse education programs regarding the status of the programs in Saskatchewan. Ensuring students meet the entry-level competencies of the profession will serve as the foundation for decisions made as the situation evolves.

Non-Practicing to Practicing Status Change

To respond to the work-force needs of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council has allowed non-practicing LPNs to change their licensure status to practicing at no cost. The details of each status change are at the discretion of the SALPN Registrar.

The SALPN would like to notify non-practicing members they may return to practice, assisting during the pandemic, if they wish – it is not mandatory.

Non-practicing members already meet SALPN’s practicing licensure requirements and make for a simple status change. The emergency licensure is temporary and will be active for up to 90 days. After 90 days, you will return to Non-Practicing. If you wish to return to practice after the 90 days, you will follow the standard status change requirements. Click here to view the status change process and to access the form to submit.

Things to Consider Before Returning to Practice:

• Are you currently on a leave (ex: maternity, paternity, education, disability) with a planned return to work occurring soon?  If your leave is ending in the next few months and you already have an anticipated return to practice as an LPN, you may not be eligible for an emergency Practicing license.  Please email cbrewster@salpn.com if you have questions.
• Are you willing to allow the SALPN to share your contact and previous LPN work experience with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (or other employers)?  The SALPN intends to provide the SHA with a list of who is licensed on an emergency basis to assist during the pandemic and this information will help them assess who is available and what areas of practice they may be best suited for, depending on need. This will be a requirement to obtain emergency licensure.
• Are you over the age of 65?  If so, you are at a higher risk for a more severe form of the disease.
• Are you immunocompromised or do you have a chronic illness?  If so, you are at a higher risk for a more severe form of the disease.
• Are you currently receiving Employment Benefits? If so, please connect with Service Canada for information.

Submit your Application for Emergency Licensure:

If you’re interested in returning to practice under emergent licensure, please submit your application for SALPN’s review.

Practice Advice

 COVID-19 – HOW IT IS CHANGING YOUR PRACTICE?

For up-to-date information on the COVID-19 Virus, visit the Saskatchewan Government website link below. 

Thank you to our members and all health care providers for your efforts to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We acknowledge the challenges and recognize that health care providers will encounter risks and demonstrate courage as the demands on the health care system increase

Please visit salpn.com to stay connected in news and information. And follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.