Competencies

What are the competencies required to meet national standards?

The national standards are underpinned by competencies.  Healthcare professionals will be required to demonstrate these competencies to deliver the standards.  The competencies ensure that the health professional:

1. Determines the relationship between antenatal and intrapartum events that may impact on the newborn's health status, and subsequent events that may impact on the 6 to 8 week infant
2. Ensures the environment is conducive to effective and safe examination
3. Facilitates effective informed decision-making
4. Utilises a holistic, systematic approach, to comprehensively examine the neonate/infant
5. Effectively and sensitively records and communicates findings to parents and relevant professionals
6. Maintains and further develops professional competence in examination of the newborn/6 to 8 week infant.

See Newborn and Infant Physical Examination Standards and Competencies, March 2008 for full information.