Alberta Record

· Order in Council / Workers' Compensation Amendment Regulation · in-force

Workers compensation amendment regulation nurses ptsd

Amends the Workers' Compensation Regulation to include specific classes of regulated nurses and nursing students as 'prescribed workers' for presumptive Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims.

What changed

  • The Workers' Compensation Regulation (AR 325/2002) is amended by adding a new section 19.2.
  • Section 19.2 designates specific classes of regulated nurses as 'prescribed workers' for the purposes of PTSD presumptions under the Workers' Compensation Act.
  • These classes include registered nurses, certified graduate nurses, graduate nurses, and registered psychiatric nurses who hold practice permits and directly provide patient care.
  • Nursing students registered in approved programs who directly provide patient care under a clinical learning program or in employment are also designated as 'prescribed workers'.
  • This designation applies for the purposes of section 24.2(2) and (3) of the Workers' Compensation Act.

Why it matters

  • Expands the categories of workers eligible for presumptive Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) claims under the Workers' Compensation Act.
  • Reduces the burden of proof for eligible nurses and nursing students seeking compensation for PTSD related to their employment.
  • Acknowledges the occupational risks of PTSD for professionals and students engaged in direct patient care within the nursing field.
  • Adjusts the framework for workers' compensation claims, potentially impacting claim volumes and administrative processes for the Workers' Compensation Board.

Other governance concerns

  • Scope of workers' rights
  • Access to compensation for occupational injury

Primary sources (1)