The purpose of the staffing section is to ensure the birth center provides competent staff consistent with the scope of services.

1. (1) The birth center must have sufficient, qualified personnel and clinical staff to provide the services needed by patients and for safe maintenance and operation of the birth center.
2. (2) The birth center must develop and implement policies and procedures for consultation, referral, transfer of care, emergency transfer and transport of a newborn to a newborn nursery or neonatal intensive care nursery, and emergency transfer or transport of a client to an appropriate obstetrical department, patient care area or hospital when additional care is necessary.

3. (3) The birth center must:

   1. (a) Employ, contract or use appropriately trained personnel and clinical staff; and
   2. (b) Ensure clinical staff or personnel have evidence of current training in neonatal and adult resuscitation.
   3. (c) Ensure a physician or midwife is present at each birth. A second person who is a qualified personnel, student, or clinical staff member with evidence of current training in neonatal and adult resuscitation skills must be immediately available in the birthing center during each birth.
   4. (d) Ensure 24-hour coverage, including the provision that appropriate, qualified personnel or clinical staff must be present in the birth center at all times when clients are present.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.46.060 and 43.70.250. WSR 25-15-078, s 246-329-095, filed 7/15/25, effective 8/15/25. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.46 RCW and RCW 43.70.040. WSR 07-07-075, § 246-329-095, filed 3/16/07, effective 4/16/07.]