News from the CLPNBC

What's New

May 2010 - Important Notice The CLPNBC is currently transitioning its leadership and is pleased to announce that Patricia McDonald has been appointed to lead the College as Interim Executive Director during this time. Elaine Baxter, Senior Practice Consultant, will be providing support for practice initiatives and staff development. Pat has been with the College for five years as Director of Regulatory Services, including Registration, Inquiry and Discipline, so is well placed, with Elaine Baxter's collaboration, to take on the role of steward; overseeing operations and continuing to streamline services to both registrants and stakeholders, and at the same time building on the College's strong foundation.

The Board of Directors has selected an Executive Search Team to recruit a new Executive Director.

May 2010 - Student Debt Load Article The Globe and Mail has published an article about student debt load that may be of interest to those considering educational options for becoming an LPN. Here is the link to the article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/career-college-students-crushing-debt-costs-taxpayers-millions/article1555629/

Associated documents - click to download

FraserHealth letter_Nov302009.pdf (Approx 27K)

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Latest information about immunization/vaccination

Update on Online Immunization Course

The CLPNBC is now moving to "decommission" the print based immunization course and is working in conjunction with the BCCDC to re-establish the online course that was offered to LPNs for a short period last Fall. The online course will be the only accepted immunization program for LPNs. The approximate date for implementation of the online access is October 1, 2010. While we realize that some of the colleges currently offering the print based course have plans for Fall intake, please note that these will be the final print based course offerings that CLPNBC will recognize. The CLPNBC will provide certificates of completion by exception only.

Please visit the website frequently for further updates.

Immunization and Scope of Practice for Nursing Professions

In order to maximize surge capacity across the Province and ensure each practitioner is working to full scope of practice in the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza Like Illness, the Ministry of Health Services has produced a document to clarify Scope of Practice for BC Nurses (Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses). Below is an extract pertaining specifically to LPNs. The entire document can be found here.

LPNs

Immunization
Under the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) have authority to administer intramuscular and subcutaneous injections within their knowledge, skill and ability. These activities must be carried out under the direction of a physician, nurse practitioner or the supervision of a RN.

In order to provide immunizations, LPNs must adhere to the standards, limits and conditions established by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of BC (CLPNBC) which include following decision support tools established by the BC Centre for Disease Control. These decision support tools can be found at: http://www.bccdc.ca/dis-cond/comm-manual/CDManualChap2.htm

The limits and conditions are:
• LPNs must have successfully completed an immunization course approved by the CLPNBC
• LPNs may only administer immunizations to clients four (4) years of age and over

LPNs are responsible to assess and determine whether a specific client is eligible to receive an immunization(s) and are accountable for their decisions. LPNs are responsible for consulting with and/or seeking clinical guidance from an RN or physician who must be in the same facility as the LPN administering the immunization.

Antivirals
LPNs may administer antivirals for prevention purposes with an order from a physician or nurse practitioner.

LPNs may dispense or administer antivirals for treatment purposes with an order from a physician or nurse practitioner.

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LPN access to CRNBC library

LPN access to CRNBC library extended for 2010

LPNs from across the province are eligible to access the College of Registered Nurses of B.C. (CRNBC) Helen Randal Library online or in person to borrow books, videos, journals, and audiotapes. Users also have round-the-clock access to the library through www.crnbc.ca/library/

The service is being provided to current LPN registrants in line with the CLPNBC's goals of encouraging lifelong learning and supporting the continuing competency requirements of the profession.

CRNBC library is located at 2855 Arbutus Street, Vancouver and is open Monday to Friday from 0930 to 1630. Services include:

a diverse nursing and allied health collection of books, videos, print and online journals, oral-history audiotapes, and biographical files
CRNBC online catalogue of books and videos
CINAHL database for nursing journal articles
request articles held at CRNBC Library
walk-in services include study space, access to Internet workstations, and photocopier
out-of-town service includes mailing books and videos within the province, and faxing/mailing articles
reference librarians are available to help with research questions, as well as to provide orientation and bibilographical instruction services
inter-library loans for copies of journal articles from other libraries (charges may apply)

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Errors & Omissions Liability Insurance

Errors & Omissions Liability Insurance has again been included, at no extra charge to all registrants. Since 2006 all current registrants have been covered by the CLPNBC. All PNs in BC have the same coverage along with their colleagues in six other provinces.

This insurance replaces the Errors & Omissions insurance provided by the LPN Association of BC to its members and allows for coverage of all practicing registrants whether they are members of the Association or not.

This coverage is provided as an annual benefit to all registrants in compliance with the Health Professions Act, and the CLPNBC Bylaws.

The CLPNBC joined a consortium of LPN regulatory organizations from across Canada to obtain the most cost-effective insurance. The consortium purchasing the insurance includes: the College of LPNs of Alberta, the Association of New Brunswick LPNs, the College of LPNs of Nova Scotia, the College of LPNs of Manitoba, the Saskatchewan Association of LPNs, and the College of LPNs in Newfoundland & Labrador.

The group insurance policy is brokered by Lloyd Sadd Insurance Ltd. and is carried by Encon Group Inc. A link to the Certificate of Insurance is at the bottom of this page.

The policy has been revised to now provide a maximum of $2,000,000 CAN per member in Errors and Omissions Liability Coverage, to a total of $20,000,000 CAN in the agregate shared limit for all members per policy period.

Coverage features:

* penal defence reimbursement of $25,000 per member for any criminal charges relating to a practice situation. This reimbursement is applicable only in criminal cases where the registrants are found not guilty. If they are found guilty, there is no reimbursement for the costs of their defence.

* expenses at trial, pre-trial, and discovery, to a maximum of $250 per member per day

* retired members and supervised students

* no retroactive date

No coverage is provided for cases of proven abuse or sexual misconduct.

You can view the current policy below under "Associated Documents".

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Errors & Omissions Insurance
Policy No. SRD365853
Encon Insurance Managers, Inc
Policy Period: Jan 1, 2010 to Jan 1, 2011
Contact: Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers
17413- 107 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5S 1E5

(780) 483-4544

Associated documents - click to download

Errors_Omissions Insurance 2010.pdf (Approx 21K)

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