SALPN News Dec. 16, 2020 – Immunizations, Point of Care Testing for COVID-19 and Happy Holidays
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE SALPN COUNCIL & STAFF Thank you for serving the public and especially now during these trying and uncertain times.
Due to COVID-19, the SALPN office remains closed, and the staff are primarily working from home. For assistance, please visit the SALPN contact page below.
The SALPN is closed for the Holidays from Dec. 24, 2020 – Jan. 3, 2021. The SALPN will periodically check emails and renewal inquires throughout the holiday closure. CEP renewal inquiries – practice@salpn.com
Immunizations by LPNs
LPNS are authorized by the SALPN to provide immunizations. This is an additional competency that requires education. The SALPN does not require an LPN to take a specific education course. The type of education needed will vary based on what type of immunization is being administered.
For the Influenza vaccine, many employers have developed an education package that should allow the LPN to have achieved the necessary competencies for this skill. We anticipate that this will be the same for the Covid-19 vaccine.
For more comprehensive education that should prepare the LPN to have the competencies to administer most immunizations, the Canadian Paediatric Society offers a full program that is delivered online. The competencies required for immunizations are listed in the SALPN Competency Profile, Section W-4. This should be reviewed along with the Practice Guideline Immunizations before you start to provide any immunizations. Note: no matter how the LPN achieves the competencies, there must be:
THERE IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT FOR A PHYSICIAN OR NURSE PRACTIONER TO BE ON SITE If you are going to be involved in a peer immunizer program, please contact practice@salpn.com to discuss additional requirements.
POINT OF CARE TESTING (for Covid-19)
I am pleased to provide you with an update on the Professional Scope of Practice for LPNs related to Point-of-Care (POC) testing.
The SALPN has reviewed the extensive documentation supplied by Heather Keith from the Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority (NITHA). In this material, there is sufficient evidence of a quality training program developed in association with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg for the use of the Gene-Xpert machine by LPNs. Other information supplied was from the SHA, which mirrored much of what Ms. Keith provided. Because the use of this machine (in a clinical setting) falls under The Medical Laboratory Licensing Act and/or The Medical Laboratory Licensing Regulations, the SALPN is confident that the safety of the public will be maintained. LPNs are authorized to do point of care testing using the Gene-Xpert machine.
In the future, we will consider all POC testing done by LPNs as within the Professional Scope of Practice under the following conditions:
An update to the SALPN Competency Profile will be done in the new year to reflect this change.
*NEW WEBINAR AMMI Canada has hosted a Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) webinar to inform Canadian health care providers about the COVID-19 vaccines to increase their knowledge and confidence in the vaccines. You can access the webinar from here.
WEBINAR LINK
Recorded Dec 12; 2 hours Informal CEP (take a picture while watching)
Topic: The Public Health Agency of Canada presents COVID-19 Vaccine Foundations for Health Care Providers. Module 1 – Health Canada COVID-19 Vaccine Approval and the Role of NACI in COVID-19 Vaccine Planning Speakers: Dr. Megan Bettle, Health Canada, and Dr. Caroline Quach, Chair of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)
Module 2 – COVID-19 Vaccines in Canada Speakers: Dr. April Killikelly and Dr. Marina Salvadori, the Public Health Agency of Canada
Module 3 – COVID-19 Vaccine Administration and Immunization Clinic Planning Speakers: Dr. Bryna Warshawsky, the Public Health Agency of Canada
If you haven’t renewed your 2021 registration additional late fees are in effect Members who do not renew registration will become inactive. If you are a retiree, please advise the SALPN. If you wish to return to work without renewing your registration, a reinstatement process will be in place. Late fees: Dec. 2, 2020 – $100 Dec. 16, 2020 – $200 Practicing Registration: $450 Non-Practicing Registration: $60
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SALPN's Journey to authentic allyship
The SALPN is committed to a journey toward authentic allyship. The SALPN will become an authentic ally through its work as the regulator of the LPN profession, through its presence as an organization, and as an employer.
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Culturally safe care Cep
Culturally safe care recognizes and strives to address inherent power imbalances in the healthcare system. Culturally safe care helps a healthcare environment to be free of racism and discrimination.