Perinatal Program Newfoundland Labrador (PPNL) education
What we do
Perinatal Program Newfoundland Labrador (PPNL) educators support and promote perinatal health through the following activities:
- Participating in and delivering national professional education programs.
- Developing and delivering professional provincial education and initiatives.
- Working collaboratively with regional health authorities (RHAs) to enhance provincial and regional programs.
- Developing guidelines for obstetrical and neonatal care.
- Participating in ongoing health promotion and prevention activities.
Our team
Our team is comprised of the following health-care professionals:
- Program managers
- Obstetrical nurse educators
- Neonatal nurse educators
- Administrative assistants
How to access this service
Health-care providers may contact their regional educator and/or the PPNL educators directly with any perinatal education requests, consultations or general inquiries.
Where we are
Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre
300 Prince Philip Drive
St. John’s, NL
A1B 3V6
Our offices are located on the 2nd (main) floor in room 2J203. Follow the corridor to the right of the Janeway Gift Shop; our offices are directly across from the Janeway Café.
Hours of operation
Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How to reach us
Obstetrical educator – Telephone: 709-777-4413
Neonatal educator – Telephone: 709-777-4868
Courses and initiatives
PPNL offers several courses and initiatives:
Advances in labour and risk management (ALARM)
The ALARM course focuses on improving care provided to women, babies, and families during pregnancy, labour, and postpartum. The course is evidence-based, supported and delivered by the Society of Obstetricians of Canada.
- The content of the course incorporates the Canadian practice guidelines, so participants who complete the course gain an understanding of the latest best practices for providing care.
- The ALARM course objective is to evaluate, update and maintain the competence of obstetricians/gynaecologists, family physicians, midwifes and nurses.
- This two-day course offers case-based and hands-on workshops.
- This course provides education and hands-on experience. It is not intended to certify attendees in any procedural skills and is not a substitute for clinical exposure and mentorship.
- The courses have a ratio of approximately six participants to one faculty member to ensure a highly interactive and educational course.
The ALARM certificate will be awarded only to those who pass the written examination and who attend the course in its entirety.
ALARM courses in Newfoundland and Labrador are facilitated through the NL College of Family Physicians and supported by the PPNL. For more information, please contact the NL College of Family Physicians.
If you are unable to attend an ALARM course but would like to purchase an ALARM manual, please download this form (PDF) and submit it by email to alarm@sogc.com.
Fetal health surveillance (FHS)
The Perinatal Program NL supports the delivery of fetal health surveillance workshops developed by Canadian Fetal Health Surveillance Education Program. The course is based on the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) FHS Practice Guidelines. The FHS Provider online course is delivered through online self-paced learning and a national exam, and followed up with an in-person workshop. All health facilities in our province are in the process of acquiring FHS Instructors to provide the framework for consistent staff education and interpretation of fetal heart rate information, documentation, communication and decisions for care.
For more details about provider and instructor courses, please contact the obstetrical educator at 709-777-4413.
STEP 2 education
Step 2 education is one of the leading online providers of baby-friendly education courses for health professionals. The PPNL provides the financial and organizational support for the delivery of this resource to all provincial health authorities. Each health authority has on site Step 2 facilitators who enroll staff and support baby-friendly oriented learning. Access to courses is available to staff providing care and support to families in the hospital and community health setting. For more information, please contact the obstetrical educator at 709-777-4413.
Perinatal mental health
A provincial model of care is under development to connect existing resources and advocate for additional resources so that universal screening for perinatal depression and anxiety will be routine during prenatal care and through the postpartum period. A follow-up care model will provide support, management, counselling and interventions. The PPNL is a founding member of the Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of NL and collaborates with Alliance members in the delivery of conferences, research, and public and professional education.
For more information, please contact the obstetrical educator at 709-777-4413 or visit Perinatal Mental Health Alliance NL.
Neonatal courses and initiatives
Neonatal resuscitation program (NRP)
The NRP is an educational program that introduces the concepts and skills of neonatal resuscitation.
In Canada, the NRP is administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society – NRP to individuals and teams who may be required to resuscitate newborn babies.
The Canadian 7th edition NRP was launched in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2017. The Canadian 8th edition of NRP will be launched in Canada in 2021/early 2022. The NRP course content is evidence-based, and uses a blended learning approach, which includes online testing and hands-on, case-based simulation/debriefing that focus on critical leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. NRP courses are available to health-care providers working in all provincial hospitals that offer obstetrical services. If you would like to attend an NRP course, please contact your local learning and development/education department or clinical educator.
Acute care of at-risk newborns (AcoRN)
ACoRN is a neonatal stabilization program, administered by the Canadian Paediatric Society – ACoRN Program, launching its second edition in 2021.
The ACoRN Program provides a unique, prioritized, and systematic approach to newborn stabilization for health-care professionals with any degree of experience. ACoRN-trained providers learn to gather information, prioritize, intervene appropriately, and deliver high-quality care to at-risk and unwell newborns in any setting.
For more information, please contact:
Neonatal Educator, PPNL
Telephone: 709-777-4868
Provincial Clinical Practice Guidelines and Forms
Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) and Resources:
- Eligibility of a Baby for Cooling Treatment (PDF, 2022)
- Passive Cooling Protocol (PDF, 2022)
- Passive Cooling in Referring Centres (PDF, 2022)
Newborn Resuscitation Record (D0062) Guide for Completion
Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenital Heart Disease in Newborns
- CCHD Screening Evaluation Chart (PDF)
- CCHD Screening Algorithm (PDF)
- CCHD Screening Parent Information (PDF)
- Clinical Practice Guideline Pulse Oximetry Screening for Critical Congenial Heart Disease in Newborns (PDF)
Consultation, site visits and education
The PPNL also offers hospital site visits upon request, which may include review of equipment and the delivery of site specific educational workshops.
Please contact the obstetrics educator at 709-777-4413 or the neonatal educator at 709-777-4868.