The SHA continues to prepare for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan. Our overall goal is to meet the projected COVID-19 patient demand while continuing to deliver services to non-pandemic patients in order to minimize loss of life. During the SHA response to COVID19, nurses across the province in many portfolios may need to optimize their scope of practice.
Therefore in my capacity as Chief Nursing Officer, I am hereby granting the COVID-19 Provincial Training Lead or delegate the temporary authority to approve education and certification processes for the following BELCs:
- Registered Nurse Specialty Practices (RNSP);
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse Specialty Practices (RPNSP); and
- Licensed Practical Nurse Additional Competencies (LPNAC).
This approval authority will be exercised in accordance with the SHA's pandemic plan and on the direction of the Emergency Operations Centre and CNO and will remain in effect until such time as this approval authority is rescinded.
These processes temporarily supersede all related former Regional Health Authority (RHA) policies that address training/education/certification processes for RNSP, RPNSP and LPNAC until cessation of pandemic operations and/or until the SHA Professional Scopes of Practice policy and associated procedures are approved.
I trust that this temporary approval process will support nurses working across the SHA to contribute your expertise and skill to providing care for the residents of Saskatchewan.