By Shayne Morrow, Alberni Valley Times
The creation of a provincial registry for senior care aides and community health workers at publicly funded facilities has drawn widespread support both from employers associations and the Hospital Employees Union, which represents workers.
Health Minister Kevin Falcon announced the B.C. Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry last week. Registration is now mandatory for employment for both classes of workers at publicly funded facilities. They now have until April 28 to register. After that date, workers will be required to demonstrate they have the required knowledge and patient-care skills to be accepted.
But despite the Big Brother aspect, the registry has been well-received, according to Barb Stevenson, executive director for Fir Park/Echo Village.
"It's a good thing for our unionized workers who do not have a professional organization to represent them," Stevenson said. Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses each have an organization that sets standards of certification and performance. The registry will now serve that function, she said.
"As care becomes more complex and training requirements increase, there is an increased level of education and training required," she said. Stevenson said the introduction of the registry would not affect Fir Park/Echo Village, because workers already employed can register automatically.
"It will affect the screening of new applicants," she said, noting that B.C. has attracted new care workers who will now have to establish their certification and skills to the new body.
Ministry spokesman Shae Greenfield said the goal of the registry is both to protect clients in care and to provide care workers with recognition of their skills and opportunities for advancement, by making their skills portable. The registry will not act as a disciplinary body, but it will provide information to employers.
"If a worker is working at Vancouver Coastal Health, for example, and is terminated [for cause], and they try to go across the street to seek employment, there is a permanent record," Greenfield said.
Workers can register online by logging on to www.cachwr.bc.ca. Greenfield said the registry is optional for workers in private facilities, but they are welcome to join.
"We are working with our partners and stakeholder groups to encourage workers to register, although at this point, it won't be mandatory," Greenfield said.
