Description:
The Perinatal Nurse is responsible for assessing, analyzing, prioritizing, planning, and evaluating care in collaboration with women and families in normal and complex situations. This includes providing antenatal care, intrapartum care, immediate postpartum care, breastfeeding support, infant care, and care following perinatal loss.
Qualifications:
Current Certificate of Registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse
Diploma or Baccalaureate degree in Nursing
Current BCLS and NRP certifications
Successful completion of a recognized Perinatal Certificate Program with a maternal-fetal focus (within the past 2 years) or successful completion of the Canadian Nurses Association Perinatal Certification Exam (within the past 5 years)
Successful completion of a recognized Breastfeeding Certificate Program (within the past 5 years) or current certification as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant exam
Current Fetal Monitoring Certification from AWHONN or current experience in interpreting fetal heart tracings
Recent experience in caring for women and families throughout labour and birth and the immediate postpartum period (within the past 2 years)
Recent experience in providing care to pregnant women with varying degrees of obstetrical risk
Recent experience in the care and support of antenatal women and their families
Current knowledge of caring for newborns during the transitional period
Demonstrated skills in vascular access and venipuncture
Knowledge and ability in caring for women with epidural/spinal analgesia and anesthesia during labour and birth
Ability to provide health teaching to women and families during antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum periods
Understanding of the physiological, psychosocial, and emotional needs of pregnant women and their families
Knowledge and skills in caring for women pre-operatively and peri-operatively, including roles in the operating room and Post Anesthetic Care Unit
