September 24, 2025

Loaning Breast Pumps 

We are fortunate to have 10 breast pumps for loan to families in need.  Please be mindful that when a pump is loaned to a family that has the means to either rent their own or wait a day or 2 until their NIHB pump comes in, we are limiting the number of pumps available to moms who do not have those options.  Additionally, we are absorbing the cost of the pump kits (which we are going through way faster with 10 pumps for loan).   It is also additional nursing resource use to send out and retrieve the loaned pumps.  Please remember that our pumps are to be loaned to families who do not have the means to rent or buy their own.  

Fit Testing 

We are scheduling a fit testing day for those that are coming due.  Nicole will be in touch to book in your time if its close to expiry. 

We are in need of a new Peer Fit Tester.  If anyone is interested in taking on that role starting in January - please contact Nicole.  There is a 8 hour training day and then likely 2-3 days of peer testing / year.  

TLR

TLR recert day will be October 15th from 12:30-4pm.  Please contact Nicole if you need to renew this year. 

Leave Requests

The leave request form on the blog is not working for everyone & I apologize.  I'm still learning the tech for the blog & haven't had time to problem solve that one yet.  

If you are unable to be at work in time to fill out a shift change form, please email them to Kerry. 

Text messages are not acceptable, as I have a hard time to keep track of them.  I can print out your email easily and it ensures that the information is accurate and the request is reviewed properly.  Thanks! 

National Breastfeeding Week

Register HERE for Oct 1 session

Register HERE for Oct 2 session

Register HERE for Oct 3 session

NEW Staff members

Please take the time to introduce yourselves to the new OAAs who have joined our team.  

Melissa Ernst has completed her orientation and is working casually for us along with her other casual job in registration.  

Erica Haas has accepted the permanent part time OAA position and will complete her orientation this week.  She comes from Sexual Health @ Idylwyld Centre.  A lot of the processes and applications are new to her, but she is catching on quickly.  

Anwar Khan will begin orientation at the end of October and will be another casual OAA. He comes from Home Care scheduling. 

Rachael Sperling will return from her maternity leave starting September 30th! Yay!! 

With the addition of these new staff members, hopefully we will have more stability in the OAA role.  They are an integral part of our team.  

Thanks to everyone who pitched in during the transition and for all your patience.   

RN License renewal 

Its that time of year again! License renewal opens Oct 1 on the CRNS website.  This year there is an added twist.  NO employer paid option.  As a result, you will have to pay upfront for your license and then submit for reimbursement through MyConnection.  Below is a screen shot of how to access the appropriate reimbursement process.  Follow the prompts and Chelsea said she will be swift to approve the requests. Hopefully this will ensure that you are not holding the balance for long. 

If you have any questions or run into hiccups, please let Kerry or Chelsea know.

In Hospital Birth Questionnaires (IHBQ)

It was great to have the staff from Kid's First present at our Team Meeting Day.  They have provided us with some program cards which I have left at the Kid's First desk.  Additional referral forms are in the grey filling cabinet in front of the TL desk.

I have posted a copy of the 'Instructions for Completion' form about what criteria that warrants scoring on the IHBQ in the Kid's First cubicle, and another inside the KF folder.  Please read it over and familiarized yourself with the guidelines so that we can be more consistent in how we are filling in the questionnaire among all staff members. 

A few key take aways from their presentation:

• Self referral is the best way for clients to be accepted into the program
• Even if they say they are already part of KF - they can still participate in the questionnaire if they wish as it is used for other purposes. 
• Ensuring that every part of the questionnaire is filled out is important
• You don't have to ask the questions in order - sometimes the loss question at the end is easier to ask when you ask about other children in the home.
• Any family who uses the food back qualifies to score on the financial difficulties question
• Prolonged maternal separation is 5 days or more 
• Vaping isn't counted in the smoking section

If you have any questions, concerns or feedback for the KF staff, please email it to me and I will pass it along.  They are very receptive to our comments and questions as it facilitates their work.  They will be sending some additional helpful tips and comments as well that I will pass onto all of you.